A criminal report has been filed and the police are investigating the case. According to the Pelicans organization, the matter is serious and unfortunate.
The ice hockey club Lahti Pelicans’ junior team has suspended two coaches until the end of the year who have offered alcohol to underage players. A criminal complaint has been filed about the incident.
The events are scheduled for the beginning of June, when the school year had ended. It was not a Junior Pelicans event, but a party that took place during free time, where adult coaches have given alcohol to minors.
– Offering alcohol to minors is in no way an activity that looks like our organization and brand. I emphasize that the matter is very serious, it has been dealt with internally and now we have to make sure that something similar does not happen again.
Junior Pelicans ry and Liiga-Pelicans are two separate organizations, but nevertheless represent the same brand, states Pöyhönen. According to him, it is absolutely clear that Pelicans operates in accordance with good manners, regulations and laws.
– Responsibility is always included in what we do, and especially in this kind of activity within youth sports.
According to Pöyhönen, the situation of the suspended coaches will be reviewed once the official investigation has been completed.
Ilta-Sanomat was the first to report on the matter.