Football: the system for Lausanne-Servette will be scrutinized

In French-speaking Switzerland, the last Lausanne-Servette was a turning point in the repression against supporters. On December 9, 2023, the Lake Geneva derby ended with a tie score (1-1) on the field. But in the stands, and especially outside the stadium, everything was very hectic.

We’re replaying the match. The repeated use of smoke bombs and other torches on both sides caused the meeting to be interrupted several times. Without this having any real impact, except perhaps on the pace of the match. Either.

Outside, on the other hand, the limits of what was acceptable had been crossed. Supporters from both camps respectively opposed the police and security forces, causing injuries to a police officer in addition to extensive material damage.

This resulted in grandstand closures, in Geneva and Lausanne, for one match each.

The fact remains that this raised other questions, which once again become significant before the derby on Sunday (2:15 p.m.), the first at La Tuilière since that of a year ago. Is the reception of visiting supporters adapted to the Lausanne venue?

After last season’s meeting, LS supporter groups particularly questioned the security system. What was criticized: the route of the procession of visitors, which goes up from the station. On arrival at La Tuilière, the parade passes on the Route du Châtelard, precisely in front of the entrance to the stand in which the Lausanne ultras take place, before being able to reach the visitor sector, located next to the main field of the sports center adjoining.

The main question from Sunday’s meeting: has anything changed in the security system? Will the 1000 or 2000 Servetti supporters who have made the trip see any differences? “There is almost nothing different, except a few adjustments,” slips a well-informed source.

So what to expect? The LS informs that “the excesses of the last Lake Geneva derby in Lausanne brought their share of sanctions as well as reflections which had important consequences for the club and the team. This LS-Servette is an opportunity to show everyone that the slip-ups of the last match were just an accident.” The Tuilière club specifies that the security system will be “adapted”, without detailing what this may mean.

However, Lausanne supporters in blocks C and D were informed that they would not be able to access their stands between 1 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., i.e. when the Geneva procession will arrive near the stadium. The device will be similar to the output.

We must also take into account a small development in the world of stands in recent months. Given the repression practiced and the intention of the political world to toughen its tone even more (nominative tickets are studied at the federal level), the ultras are delivering more and more messages of unity.

Last week, all Super League supporters held up a “Football against repression” banner. Or, during the Servette-Sion derby on October 19, groups from both camps boycotted a large part of the meeting, out of a spirit of solidarity.

This does not prevent anything, but reflects an awareness among fans. It is better to avoid giving the stick to be beaten, so as to be able to remain credible in their fight against repression. And then, it is also a question of noting that since the incidents of last December, no match at La Tuilière has gone badly.