The end is nigh for Atlantis

February deadline
The Finnish Veikkausliiga club have been struggling to survive for several weeks and the Football Association of Finland (FBF) have given them until mid-February to find a plan of action to stay in business.

Tiitanen plea
Players and coaches at the club called a press conference where it was revealed that owner Markku Ritala was leaving the club. Captain Rami Rantanen said: “Either Ritala wins the lottery and we carry on or the club goes bankrupt and we’re unemployed.” Coach Ari Tiittanen hopes a buyer can be found to save the club, saying: “This is a good team and coach if someone is willing to invest.”

Club confusion
“This is an impossible situation for us, to be strung out in this way. Not knowing what’s happening is the worst. There should have been some clear messages,” Tiittanen added.

Unpaid wages
Players at the club are owed a total of 400,000 markka (€67,000) in wages and their bonus for winning last season’s cup has yet to be paid. Despite these problems Atlantis players are continuing to train as usual.

FBF statement
Due to the uncertainty over the club’s future the FBF have delayed announcing the fixture list for new season. If Atlantis go out of business then it is thought that the Veikkausliiga will be played with one less team next season. The FBF said: “The FBF and Veikkausliiga boards have reviewed the Veikkausliiga spots for season 2002 and both agree on the following procedure. If one of the member clubs is not deemed capable of participation in the league the empty spot will not be filled by a second division club.”