Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS) is a football club founded in 1950 and based in Rovaniemi, Finland. RoPS played in the Finnish Premier Division, (Veikkausliiga) for 32 years, from 1981 to 2021. In 2021, RoPS withdrew from professional football and voluntarily relegated to the amateur Kakkonen division. The club plays home games at the Rovaniemen Keskuskenttä in the Arctic Circle of Lapland.
History
RoPS have won the Finnish Cup on two occasions, in 1986 and 2013, and were runners-up in 1962. They placed third in the Finnish Premier Division in 1988 and 1989, before finishing as runner-up in 2015, losing out on the title by 1 point to eventual champions SJK. The club's most notable international achievement was reaching the quarter-finals of the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1987–88 against Marseille.
Match fixing allegations and scandal Throughout the 2000s, RoPS became infamous for suspected involvement in match fixing.
In spring 2011 the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation started a large investigation into match fixing. On February 25 Singaporean businessman Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match fixer, was arrested after entering Finland with a fake passport. The National Bureau of Investigation suspected that over 30 games between 2008 and 2011, mostly from the Finnish premier league, had been fixed or manipulated.
On July 19, 2011, the Rovaniemi Court of Appeal convicted Perumal and nine RoPS players of match-fixing. Altogether 24 games had been manipulated, and the intended score had been achieved in 11 of them. Perumal was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to return 150,000 euros deemed to be match-fixing profits. The bribes ranged from 500 euros offered to one player to a total of 80,000 euros offered to eight players. The highest total of bribes for one individual was slightly over 40,000 euros. The players received suspended sentences. The sentenced players were six Zambian and two Georgian players: Godfrey Chibanga, Chileshe Chibwe, Francis Kombe, Stephen Kunda, Christopher Musonda, Chanda Mwaba, Nchimunya Mweetwa, Pavle Khorguashvili, and Valter Khorguashvili.
Domestic history
SeasonLevelDivisionSectionAdministrationPositionMovementsFinnish CupLeague Cup1955Tier 4Piirinsarja (District League)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)Qualifiers for 3rd Tier1956Tier 4Aluesarja (Area Division)Group 12 LaplandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted1957Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)North Group IIFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th 1958Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd 1959Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted 1960Tier 2 Suomensarja (Finland Series)North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11th Relegated1961Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd 1962Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted 1963Tier 2 Suomensarja (Finland Series)North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th 1964Tier 2 Suomensarja (Finland Series)North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated1965Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th 1966Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd 1967Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 10 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd 1968Tier 3Maakuntasarja (Regional League)Group 8 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted 1969Tier 2 Suomensarja (Finland Series)North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated1970Tier 33. Divisioona (Third Division)Group 8 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted 1971Tier 2 2. Divisioona (Second Division)North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 1972Tier 2 2. Divisioona (Second Division)North Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11th Relegated1973Tier 43. Divisioona (Third Division)Group 9 Northern FinlandFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted1974Tier 32. Divisioona (Second Division)North GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rd 1975Tier 32. Divisioona (Second Division)North GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd 1976Tier 32. Divisioona (Second Division)North GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)2nd 1977Tier 32. Divisioona (Second Division)North GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)9th 1978Tier 32. Divisioona (Second Division)North GroupFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)1stPromoted 1979Tier 2 1. Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th 1980Tier 2 1. Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promotion/Relagtion Group 2nd - Promoted1981Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Promotion/Relagtion Group 5th - Relegated 1982Tier 2 1. Divisioona (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promotion/Relagtion Group 1st - Promoted1983Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th 1984Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th 1985Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th 1986Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th 1987Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th 1988Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd 1989Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd 1990Tier 1 Futisliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Championship Playoff - Quarter-finals 1991Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th 1992Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th 1993Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th Runners-up1994Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th 1995Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 9th Round1996Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th - Relegation Group 2nd 7th Round1997Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th Semi-finals1998Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th 1999Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th 7th Round2000Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 2001Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Relegated 6th Round2002Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Northern Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th Quarter-finals2003Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2ndPromotion Playoff - Promoted 6th Round2004Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Quarter-finals2005Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 13th Relegation Playoff - Relegated 2006Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th2007Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2ndPromotion Playoff - Promoted2008Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th 6th Round2009Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 14th Relegated 6th Round2010Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1stPromoted 4th Round2011Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Relegated 5th Round2012Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1stPromoted 5th Round2013Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 11th Winners2014Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 6th Round2015Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd 6th Round2016Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th 6th Round2017Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th Group Stage - 2nd - Quarter-final Qualifiers2018Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Group Stage - 3rd 2019Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Group Stage - 4th - Quarter-finals2020Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Relegated Group Stage - 6th2021Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2ndPromotion Playoff. Gave up league spot due to financial difficultiesGroup Stage - 2nd2022Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group CFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)6th 4th Round2023Tier 3Kakkonen (Second Division)Group CFinnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)3rdQualifiers for Ykkönen - Qualified 4th Round2024Tier 3Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto)5th 3rd Round2025Tier 3Ykkönen (First Division)Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 32 seasons in Veikkausliiga 16 seasons in Ykkösliiga 19 seasons in Ykkönen 3 seasons in 4th Tier
European history Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate 1987–88 Cup Winners' Cup 1R Glentoran 0–0 1–1 1–1(a) 2R Vllaznia 1–0 1–0 2–0 QF Marseille 0–1 0–3 0–4 1989–90 UEFA Cup 1R GKS Katowice 1–1 1–0 2–1 2R Auxerre 0–5 0–3 0–8 1990–91 UEFA Cup 1R 1. FC Magdeburg 0–1 0–0 0–1 2014–15 UEFA Europa League 2Q Asteras Tripolis 1–1 2–4 3–5 2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1Q Shamrock Rovers 1–1 2–0 3–1 2Q Lokomotiva 1–1 0–3 1–4 2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1Q Aberdeen 1–2 1–2 2–4
Notes 1R: First round 2R: Second round 1Q: First qualifying round QF: Quarter-finals
Honours Finnish Cup Champions (2): 1986, 2013 Ykkönen Champions (2): 2010, 2012
Current squad Miesten edustus, rops.fi, 27 July 2026
Management and boardroom
Management As of 18 February 2020. NameRole Vesa TauriainenHead Coach Mika PulkkinenCoach Jari AlamäkiFitness Coach Ossi KoskelaGoalkeeping Coach Tuomas KönönenPhysiotherapist Vilma Poutiainen David CoullKit Manager Essi JokelainenMasseur Olavi TammimiesTeam Manager
Boardroom As of 18 February 2020 NameRole Risto NivaChairman, Managing director Pekka KonsteniusVice chairman Jari IlolaDirector of Football
Rovaniemi Football Academy Rovaniemi Football Academy (RFA) is the reserve team of RoPS. The team plays in Kakkonen in 2020 season. It is coached by Aleksi Tanner.
Managers
Jerzy Masztaler (1990–91) Graham Williams (1991) Olavi Tammimies (1992) Keith Armstrong (1993–94) Timo Salmi (1995) Graham Williams (1995) Ari Matinlassi (1995) Ari Rantamaa (1996–97) Kari Virtanen (1997–99) Olavi Tammimies (2000) Mauri Holappa (2001) Tomi Molin (2002) György Hamori (Jan 1, 2003 – June 23, 2004) Mika Lumijärvi (June 23, 2004 – June 30, 2005) Matti Vikman (interim) (June 30, 2005 – Dec 31, 2005) Jukka Ikäläinen (2006) Tom Saintfiet (Jan 1, 2008 – April 7, 2008) Valeri Bondarenko (April 14, 2008 – May 27, 2009) Mika Lumijärvi (May 27, 2009 – Oct 6, 2009) Zeddy Saileti (Oct 6, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009) John Allen (Jan 1, 2010 – Aug 9, 2011) Matti Hiukka (Aug 9, 2011 – Dec 31, 2011) Kari Virtanen (Jan 1, 2012 – Oct 13) Juha Malinen (Nov, 2013 – Oct, 2017) Toni Koskela (Oct, 2017 – May 22, 2019) Pasi Tuutti (May 22, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019) Vesa Tauriainen (Jan 1, 2020 – Sep 15, 2020) Mikko Mannila (Sep 16, 2020 – Dec 31, 2021) Aleksi Tanner (Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022) Ville Ulanen (Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023) Jari Alamäki (Jan 1, 2024 – )
References
External links