Violent clash at Sports Bar Töölö left nine people detained late Friday night in Helsinki after a large group fight erupted both inside and outside the popular establishment. Police say several individuals are now suspected of aggravated assault, assault, criminal damage, and endangerment.
The incident took place shortly before 23:00 near the Mannerheimintie entrance of Sports Bar Töölö. According to early reports, the confrontation began outside the bar before spilling into the indoor area, where chaos quickly unfolded.
Witnesses told police that a large stone was thrown through the restaurant window, striking tables and injuring several patrons inside. Broken glass scattered across the floor as frightened customers tried to take cover. The impact caused extensive property damage and left a number of people with minor to moderate injuries.
Restaurant owner Amit Badwal described the scene as terrifying. “They threw a really large rock through the window. I was on the floor just a minute earlier. That stone could have hit someone in the head,” he said in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat. Badwal added that around 30 customers were present, many of them wearing Jokerit hockey jerseys or scarves. Jokerit had just played a home game against Kiekko-Vantaa earlier that evening.
According to Badwal and other witnesses, the attackers appeared to have links to the HIFK football club’s Inferno ultra group. HIFK had played away against JYP on the same night. Police, however, have not confirmed the connection or revealed the motive behind the attack.
Several police patrols arrived within minutes after receiving the emergency call, but some suspects had already fled the area. Nine people were detained at the scene and remain under investigation. Authorities say the number of charges could increase as evidence continues to emerge.
By Saturday morning, the bar’s shattered window had been sealed with tape. The full cost of the damage is still being assessed. Badwal said this was not the first time violence linked to football supporters had disrupted Helsinki nightlife. “We’ve seen similar fights in other bars around the city, often involving HIFK and HJK fans. It has to stop,” he said.
He emphasized that Sports Bar Töölö has no connection to any fan organizations and condemned the violence completely. “We reject hooliganism in every form. After a game, fans should be shaking hands, not throwing rocks or starting fights,” he said.
Police confirmed that surveillance footage and witness statements are being collected to determine exactly what happened. The injured patrons received treatment at the scene and were later discharged from hospital care. Authorities have not commented on whether alcohol contributed to the violence or if additional suspects are being sought. The case is being handled by the Helsinki Police Department’s violent crimes unit and remains under investigation.
