In the big cities of Basel, Bern, Zurich and St. Gallen, not a single major football event has yet been approved during the World Cup, i.e. between November 20th and December 18th, according to a survey by Radio SRF.
In Basel, it is no longer expected that an application for a public viewing event will be submitted. There is no public football event in Bern either. In Zurich, the city police are currently only examining four requests from private individuals for a small-scale festival. And in St. Gallen there have only been two inquiries so far.
It’s definitely not our job to boycott the World Cup.
The authorities did not tell the reasons for the lack of interest. It’s probably the cold season, says Gastro Zurich President Urs Pfäffli. In any case, no recommendation was given to the gastro operators. Pfäffli doesn’t think much of a call for a boycott anyway.
“It is certainly not our job to boycott this or to give up these misconduct,” says Pfäffli. Because especially after two years of the corona pandemic, this occasion came at the right time for many catering establishments. “Many catering establishments are very happy if they can show the sporting broadcasts,” says the Gastro Zurich President.
It is not yet possible to estimate how many there will be. Since such World Cup events in the bars and restaurants do not require a permit. In Bern, however, there are some event venues that are boycotting the World Cup in Qatar.
The aim is for FIFA or the organizer to get direct feedback from the quotas.
The association “Alternative to the World Cup 2022” is pleased. The club, founded by young Zurich football fans, is calling for a World Cup boycott because of the controversial host country Qatar and is therefore hoping for the lowest possible ratings, as Co-President Moritz Hirt says.
“The goal is for FIFA or the organizer to get direct feedback from the quotas. I think it’s best if fewer people than usual watch such an event, »says Moritz Hirt.