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EURO 2008: Dear Hooligan, no trouble please: Swiss cops

Days before Euro 2008 kicks off in Basel, Swiss police have sent letters to soccer hooligans warning them that no violence would be tolerated, a Swiss tabloid reported on Thursday.

The tabloid Blick said at least 300 of the letters addressed to “Dear Mr/Mrs” hooligan and titled “For a peaceful international football festival” have been sent out to known trouble-makers.

“We know that you are someone who does not always hold fast to the rules in sports events. Therefore, to our knowledge, you have been banned from the stadiums or been served with other measures,” the police wrote. “We wish that you too could enjoy this major sports event in a sportsmanlike and festive fashion.”

However, the police also warned that they would “not tolerate” any violence, and would “intervene promptly in any such occurences.”

As it began politely, the letter also concluded amicably, saying: “We hope that we would only encounter each other in a pleasant manner. In case you have any questions, please get in touch with us.”

Meanwhile, individual cantons of orderly Switzerland have also come up with appeals for fans to not “compromise the tranquility of residents” after the matches.

Canton Vaud, where the French and Dutch teams are staying, said that “cortege or convoys of vehicles are not favored by the police.”

It added that “those who show no respect for traffic lights, speed limits and the priority and security of pedestrians, would be condemned.”

The canton said fans could “express their joy” in pedestrian zones which are accessible via public transport.

“The police will be tolerant on noise at the end of matches, but will watch that it does not go too far to conpromise the tranquility of residents,” it said.

Meanwhile, Swiss authorities have turned part of Geneva’s giant convention center into a holding prison for fans who misbehave.

The Swiss Army built 48 wooden cells — each able to hold four detainees — and put them in the Palexpo Center.

“They need to do something wrong to get in,” police spokesman Jean-Philippe Brandt said on Thursday.

It’s dark and gloomy inside the cells, which have no windows but a small opening on top to allow 24-hour surveillance through police cameras.

Detainees will spend no more than 24 hours in the prison. After that, they will either be deported back to their home countries or stand trial in Switzerland.

“After 24 hours, if it’s something serious they will go to a court. Otherwise, they will be deported,” Brandt said.

With the Geneva International Airport near the convention center, Brandt said: “We have the planes right here, so it’s easy. No trouble. Just bye-bye.”
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