Rioting prompts the Swiss League to prevent the attendance of supporters of visiting teams
The Swiss Football League announced today that it is studying the possibility of banning supporters of visiting teams from attending matches after a series of incidents characterized by violence and reckless behaviour.
The association said in a statement that its committee had discussed possible measures to combat misconduct in football matches and warned that "in order to protect peaceful fans, consideration is being given to closing places where supporters of visiting teams are located."
The association added that several recent incidents involving fans outside their home grounds led to a review, "particularly the reckless behavior of some of the perpetrators of violence inside the stadium during the Zurich derby."
The match between Grasshoppers and Zurich, which was watched by 15,700 fans at the "Letsingrund" stadium last Saturday, saw the fans of the second team entering the athletics track surrounding the stadium and firing fireworks at the Grasshoppers supporters.
"The clubs and the football league cannot and will not tolerate such a situation that causes serious damage to Swiss football in general, and therefore is studying the organizational feasibility of closing the locations of supporters of the visiting teams," the association said.
Claudius Schaefer, the league's chief executive, said clubs were waiting for a "clear signal" from fan groups condemning such behaviour.
Basel leads the Swiss Super League after 11 games out of 36, while last season's champion Young Boys, who reached the group stage in the Champions League, is second.
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