What Happened
Around 2,000 supporters of Swedish club IFK Göteborg traveled to Tallinn, Estonia, for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round match against FCI Levadia on July 30, 2026, at A. Le Coq Arena, also known as Lilleküla Stadium. IFK Göteborg advanced with a 4-3 aggregate victory after coming from behind in the tie.
While most fans traveled and supported their team without incident, a minority of supporters left significant damage behind in both the stadium and the historic city center.
Damage Inside the Stadium
In the away supporters’ section, two bathroom facilities — one for men and one for women — were left largely unusable. Doors were torn from their hinges, ceiling panels removed, and toilet bowls and cubicles broken. Several seats in the stands were also damaged, and walls throughout the section were covered in graffiti. Urinals were reportedly the only fixtures left intact.
During the match, fans displayed a banner reading “Tack Estland för infrastrukturen” (“Thank you, Estonia, for the infrastructure”) — a message local reports have since linked to the planned destruction.
Damage Beyond the Stadium
The disruption extended into Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 and one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Supporters sprayed graffiti, smashed windows, damaged street decorations, left behind broken glass, and plastered club-branded stickers across signs, windows, and storefronts. Local establishments, including Mad Murphy’s and Vana Toomas restaurants, were among those affected.
Response From Officials and the Club
The Estonian Football Association contacted police, and a UEFA delegate was on-site to document the damage. Swedish police and IFK Göteborg’s own security team were present in the away section during the match and inspected the site afterward alongside stadium staff. Officials described the material damage as significant.
IFK Göteborg issued a strong condemnation of the actions, apologized directly to FCI Levadia, and said the club would pursue any resulting fines or repair costs against the individuals responsible. The club also acknowledged the incident could affect how supporters are treated at future European away matches. Estonian police have opened an investigation.
Context: Not the First Incident
This is not the first time Swedish supporters have caused disruption during a European away match in Estonia. A similar incident involving AIK fans occurred the previous year and resulted in UEFA fines against that club. Repeated incidents like this typically increase the likelihood of stricter sanctions, including potential away-fan restrictions for future fixtures.
The Bottom Line
Most of the roughly 2,000 traveling IFK Göteborg fans caused no trouble. But the actions of a small group left lasting damage to both the stadium and one of Northern Europe’s most historically significant city centers — and could carry consequences for the club and its supporters going forward.
