In Conversation, Podcast Show Notes

In Conversation with… Abdirahman Sugulle: “Is racism a problem in Finnish football?”

In this episode, the FFS team talk with Finnish referee, Abdirahman Sugulle. This episode was prompted by Abdi’s LinkedIn post in the summer of 2024, a powerful post in which he lashed out at racist abuse aimed at him by a supporter.

We invited Abdi on to discuss this situation, but also his rise through the Finnish refereeing system as a young ref of Somalian heritage, the influence other minority background referees had on him, the problem of racism is Finnish society and football, but also some lighter moments from his time on the pitch.

Join Mark (@explorefinland),  Mark (@FCSuomi),  Keke (@kekemyllari), Rich (@EscapeToSuomi) and Ally (@Mano99) for regular episodes, where 5 old blokes sit and talk about football in Finland. In English.

The #FFS theme tune is “Loppuun asti” by Lemmenpyssyt. You can listen to the song on Spotify or on YouTube . Connect with Lemmenpyssyt on Facebook.

The FFS Team’s Questions (Listen or watch the show to hear Abdi’s answers)

Abdi’s background and pathway into refereeing

  • Tell us about your background, where did you grow up?
  • How important has football been to you?
  • Are you any good as a player?
  • When did you get into refereeing?
  • What do you get out of refereeing?
Abdi’s LinkedIn post in July 2024
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sugulle_neekeri-ei-siin%C3%A4-ollut-yht%C3%A4%C3%A4n-mit%C3%A4%C3%A4n

The racism incident that promted his LinkedIn post

  • You posted a very strong LinkedIn message. Do you want to explain the message and what happened to inspire that?
  • Do you think this is a football problem, a Finnish society problem or an international problem?
  • How much has the Finnish government created the environment where people think it’s OK to shout racism insults?
  • Can football fans self-police these incidents by calling out people who should racist insults?
  • How does the Suomen Palloliitto (Finnish FA) handle these incidents of racism?

On a more positive note…

  • How hard or easy is it to give teams a clean slate, if there has been a problem in a previous match?
  • Is there ever a time when you’re refereeing and you see a player do something that you think ‘oh that was awful’ or ‘wow, that was amazing’?
  • Can your rise up the leagues, as a person with an immigrant background, set a positive role model within Finnish football?
  • Of course, people shout at the officials. Has anyone shouted anything at you that’s made you laugh?

Find Abdirahman Sugulle online

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