Tarmo Reunanen delivered the straight words to IS.

The transfer of Turun Palloseura’s captain Tarmo Reunanen to Switzerland has sparked lively discussion. A situation that occurred during practice at the beginning of February has been linked to the defender’s departure, but Reunanen strongly denies the claims.

– Some of the stories I have heard about this case are lies. It has given the impression that I tried to butcher and harm him intentionally. That is as far from the truth as it can be, Reunanen tells Ilta-Sanomat.

TPS announced on Tuesday that the 27-year-old defender is moving on loan for the remainder of the season to HC Ajoie, which plays in the Swiss league. Reunanen has played 45 games this season with stats of 6+18=24. However, before the transfer, his responsibilities had decreased: he watched the last four games from the stands and did not play after the game against Pelicans on February 7.

The controversy stems from a tackling situation during practice, where Reunanen hit 19-year-old Aatos Koivu. Koivu was injured and had to sit out a couple of games.

Reunanen emphasizes that there was no intent in the situation.

– It bothers me, first of all, that such a situation occurred and there was a hit. I feel the most for Aatos. But there was no fight or anything. I am not a butcher. I have never been that kind of player.

The situation gained additional nuances, as Aatos Koivu’s father Saku Koivu is part of the TPS board and his uncle Mikko Koivu serves as an assistant coach for the team. Reunanen did not want to comment on IS’s information that Mikko Koivu reacted strongly to the incident.

According to the defender, the decision to leave was not his initiative.

– Until Tuesday, I was prepared to fight for my position. The thought was that things would turn for the better. In that, the club and I had a differing view. The message was that it would be better for me to go play elsewhere for the remainder of the season.

TPS’s sports director Mika Suoraniemi stated in the club’s announcement that the practice situation was not related to Reunanen’s transfer. According to him, the decision was based on sporting reasons: the level of play and role had changed, and there were no disciplinary discussions about the matter.

Reunanen has a contract with TPS for next season as well, which includes an option for playing abroad. TPS is currently in 11th place in the SM-liiga.

– I hope Aatos is no longer troubled by this matter and can focus on his own performance. And I hope TPS can have peace to work for the remainder of the season. I hope this case closes and everyone can move forward, Reunanen said.