Violence at sporting events
Switzerland takes an integrated and cross-agency approach to tackling violence at sporting events that is in line with international standards and encompasses repressive as well as preventive measures.
Ensuring people's safety at sporting events requires effective partnerships and cooperation at local, national and international level. To this end, federal and cantonal security authorities, clubs, associations, fan organisations and transport companies in Switzerland work closely together.
Unfortunately, sporting events also have a flip side: violent spectators who provoke fights, attack police officers and private security company employees, or discharge pyrotechnics or fireworks that endanger the safety of others.
fedpol’s role
fedpol supports these authorities, including the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), by sharing data from the HOOGAN information system. HOOGAN contains information on individuals who have exhibited violent behaviour at sporting events in Switzerland or abroad and who are subject to measures such as stadium bans, exclusion orders, a reporting obligation, police custody or travel restrictions. In addition, the Swiss Sports Situation Report (GSLS), published annually by fedpol, provides the cantons with comprehensive statistical data.
As the National Football Information Point (NFIP), fedpol is responsible for cooperation with international partners. It can also impose specific measures such as entry bans or travel restrictions on violent fans.
Preventive measures
International exchange
