HIFK, who told about their financial difficulties during the summer, is last in the Veikkausliiga and in danger of falling to the First.
Helsinki IFK able to play until the end of the season in the football Veikkausliiga. The club, which is in financial difficulties, announced its situation on Thursday.
The new chairman of the board has been elected Jan Walden. He replaces in the task Heikki Pajunen.
“The most important thing is that the expressed wish for the death of IFK will not come true. IFK’s operations continue and the team will play until the end of the season. There is no bankruptcy coming,” Walden said.
Walden said that Pajunen saved the club for this season, but significant mistakes had been made in making the budget, which were revealed already at the beginning of the current year.
“Already at the first board meeting, it was stated that at least 130,000 euros too little had been budgeted for the expenses of the sports side.”
“It is clear that IFK – myself included – has not been successful enough in partner acquisition and audience marketing.”
HIFK is last in the Veikkausliiga, and the difference to FC Lahti, who is in the qualifiers, is no less than eight points. So the current season in the main series, which started in 2019, seems to end this season.
In mid-June, HIFK published an open letter in which it said that its financial problems had worsened and encouraged the entire club community to show its support.
Pajunen, the then chairman and main owner of HIFK Fotboll Ab, told STT at the time that the acute need for the whole year is half a million euros and 140,000 euros for June.
Walden thanked supporters Thursday for their support, saying the plan worked.
“It wasn’t a rescue, but it made it possible for the rescue operation to continue. Other actions were needed. The financing process was started at the end of July, and its sole purpose was to enable the season to be played to the end.”
“It has been successful, and the funding has been collected. It is not a single patronage, but the whole is collected from small streams. 10-15 people or companies have put their own contribution to save IFK.”
According to Walden, the money that HIFK can use to finish the season has been collected from stock deals, sponsors and by taking out a loan.
“Until a few days ago, IFK’s biggest owner was Oy Helsingin tähdet – Helsingfors stjärna Ab, not anymore. It has 15 percent holdings. 40 percent have moved to the new consortium. I will tell you about it as soon as possible, but I can’t do it yet.”
Walden the head coach also spoke Mixu Paatelainen contract situation. According to Walden, the contract is a 2+1 model, i.e. two years with an option for the third year.
“There are a couple of conditions in the contract. There is a condition that if IFK is relegated from the Veikkausliiga, the contract will only continue if both parties want it.
“It is possible that IFK will be relegated. We are negotiating with Mixu, on what terms he could possibly continue.”
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