Atlantis must hope to rise again

FC Atlantis look set to disappear from the Finnish first division after the club's license was cancelled by Finland's football authorities due to heavy debts.

Name change
However, the club, €350,000 in debt, may be thrown a lifeline - albeit with a name change - if consortium Finnforest Ltd, who currently own ten per cent of the shares, can raise the money to pay off creditors by 16 March. Atlantis qualified for the 2002/03 UEFA Cup by winning the 2001 Finnish Cup, and will be keen to survive and take up their place.

League explain actions
The decision to cancel Atlantis's license was taken by the league in conjunction with the Football Association of Finland (FAF). League president Jussi Sarivkas said: "The debts of the club are around €350,000. The consortium led by Finnforest Ltd has agreed to pay the debts and transfer all the player and coach contracts to a new club. If and when the new club applies to the league license, it will be handled among other license applications for the 2002 season."

Training continues
Atlantis have continued with pre-season training this winter despite the uncertainty over the club's future, head coach Ari Tittanen saying: "This hasn't been easy, but the whole team is in this together and we have trained as scheduled. The decision that was made was a good one for us. We have hoped for a solution and now it seems one has been found."

Coach admits difficulties
Tittanen will lead an Atlantis team in a pre-season tournament on Friday and Saturday against HJK Helsinki, FC Jokerit and TPS Turku, but admitted: "From time to time it was difficult to motivate ourselves. The wages are unpaid and many of the players have faced real financial difficulties."

Possible reduction in numbers
If Atlantis are unable to compete this season, the Finnish first division will continue with just eleven clubs. The FAF will also wait before deciding if Atlantis or another team will take their UEFA Cup slot.