Women breathe fresh atmosphere into stadiums

Keystone

The presence of more women and families in football stadiums has improved behaviour among rival sets of fans and helped to reduce violence.

Many Swiss stadiums have modernised in recent years, some in time for the Euro 2008 tournament, attracting a new fan base with more comfortable facilities. And one club is putting on ladies’ days.

Compared with many other countries Switzerland hasn’t seen much fan violence, but it has had its dark moments. Most recently, rival fans clashed on the pitch when Zurich beat Basel to pinch the title on the last day of the season two years ago.

But with more women getting enthusiastic about the game, both as players and spectators, the previously male-dominated atmosphere at matches has become less volatile, according to Swiss football researcher Marianne Meier.

While a small section of hardcore fans may be hell bent on causing trouble come what may, Meier believes many men restrain themselves when women and children are present rather than let the emotions of the game take over.

“The more you involve women and families as spectators in stadiums, the more you reduce aggression because men behave differently. They don’t want [women and children] to get hurt and so don’t behave so badly,” she told swissinfo.

“There is evidence that the presence of women in stadiums is reducing violence and hooliganism and producing a nicer atmosphere.”

Better facilities

Meier’s views are endorsed by Jörg Häfeli, head of the Swiss Football League’s Supporters’ Commission, which was set up last year primarily to prevent violence at matches in the wake of increased trouble in 2006.

“Women have a positive influence the atmosphere wherever it is – whether it be in football or casino gambling,” he told swissinfo.

“But it is important to distinguish between hardcore and normal fans. Austria has tried to work with hardcore women fans to de-escalate violence within these groups, but it did not work.”

No official study has been made of how many women attend matches in Switzerland. But Häfeli estimates up to a third of fans are women at improved stadiums, which have better seating, toilet and eating facilities and family zones. This compares with around 25 per cent in older stadiums.

Young Boys Bern are seeing the benefits of introducing ladies’ days with reduced ticket prices for women after their state-of-the-art home stadium, the Stade de Suisse, was erected on the site of the old Wankdorf arena in 2005.

The club told swissinfo that they regularly see 30 per cent of women among its fans at home games.

Euro 2008 “safe”

Meier advised the federal police on safety issues ahead of the Euro 2008 football championships, which will be co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria in June. She is convinced that the tournament will not present any specific risks for women.

“The big progress that has been made from previous tournaments is that every country knows their hooligan scene and who is violent. They now have laws to stop them and forbid them from travelling abroad. So those dangerous individuals will not even get here,” she said.

“Women can come to the tournament and have a very comfortable, friendly experience.”

swissinfo, Matthew Allen

Women’s football in Switzerland

Women have become more interested in playing football in Switzerland along with watching the sport. The number of women players has nearly trebled in the past five years from 8,000 in 2003 to more than 20,000 this season.

Organised women’s football in Switzerland was officially recognised in 1970. There were 270 licensed female players in 18 clubs during the first season 1970/1. There are now 799 clubs.

In 1993 the women’s football league was disbanded and women’s football was absorbed fully into the SFA.

The Swiss women’s national team is ranked 28th in the world and is hoping to qualify for the 2009 European championships in Finland.

Euro 2008

Co-hosts Switzerland and Austria have qualified automatically for the European championships, which takes place from June 7-29.

The 31 games will be played in four cities in Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich) and four cities in Austria (Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Vienna). The final will be held in Vienna on June 29. Switzerland will play its three group matches in Basel.

Up to 5.4 million football fans are expected to follow the tournament in Switzerland, including 1.4 million from abroad.

Swiss police have adopted a three-pronged strategy for security: dialogue, de-escalation and intervention. The plan was approved by an independent group of observers in February.