For almost a year and a half, there were no more spectators in the Swiss football stadiums. Corona did not stop at the fan curves either. Only with the start of the new season did the fans return to the stands.
For ten match days, the fans have ensured the long-awaited atmosphere again. Until last Saturday. In the aftermath of the Zurich derby, hooded FCZ anchors caused ugly scenes in the Letzigrund. With that, the riots were back in the stadium in one fell swoop.
In the area around FC Zurich, frustration at the excesses of the mob is great. One factor in the problem is said to have already been recognized in the south curve. Behind the scenes it means: Since Corona, there has been a noticeable influx of especially young fans. This is good for the mood, but it can also be dangerous. “This new generation does not yet know the rules and their own laws of the curve,” says an insider.
The much-touted self-regulation among the fans – it is being put to the test here.
Corona increased need for attention
The Basel sociologist Ueli Mäder (70) has been dealing with developments in the fan scene for years. He is not surprised that so many young people are drawn to the stadiums right now. “The community aspect in a curve is great,” says Mäder to Blick. “Here young people who otherwise hardly get noticed get a big stage.”
All the restrictions in recent months due to the corona measures would have increased this need for attention. Teenagers in particular have recently lacked common meeting places and points of contact. “The football games now offer them another opportunity to break out of the patterns that have recently been so narrow.”
Setback for the fan work
Actions like those on last Saturday are far from being appreciated by everyone in the south curve. Especially after years of intensive and largely successful cooperation with youth and fan projects, the derby incidents are a major setback.
But it’s also a fact: There was a lot of applause from the stands for the angry people when they returned to the fan block. It is this recognition that is essential, especially for newcomers to the scene, says Ueli Mäder. “The urge to want to outbid each other has been around for a long time.”
Now the mechanisms among the groupings are required so that newcomers are also brought on track. However, the league could anticipate that. In a message from Thursday, the Swiss Football League promised severe consequences. In the room there is even the closure of guest sectors on match days.