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Calls for police patrols after Zurich fan violence

AFP
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Calls for police patrols after Zurich fan violence
Screenshot Schweizer Fernsehen

Switzerland on Monday decried violence that led to the cancellation of the weekend's derby between FC Zurich and Grasshopper, with the country's biggest newspapers calling on police to patrol stadiums.

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The Neue Zürcher Zeitung noted that "never has a game in Swiss football been called off because of security fears in the stadium".

"Police must not just be present outside the stadiums, but also within," said the newspaper.

Tabloid Blick also pointed out that "private security companies are overwhelmed and the police should, like in Munich, be present in the stadium".

Another broadsheet, Tages-Anzeiger, deplored the "images that remind one of war" and drew a parallel between the violence during the match and recent riots in the city.

"The Letzigrund stadium has been disgraced again, Zurich has been disgraced again," it said.

"The reputation of the city is suffering, Zurich football is suffering," added the Zurich-based newspaper.

The Zurich derby on Sunday was called off due to fighting between rival fans.

The game was halted a first time after fans threw firecrackers but restarted a few minutes later.

However, the referee finally decided to end the game after 77 minutes of play due to continued unrest, with Grasshopper leading 2-1.

Both sides are struggling in the league.

Swiss football's disciplinary commission will decide whether the result stands or if the game will be replayed.

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