Swiss football fans protest esports, throw controllers onto field

Fans of Switzerland’s Young Boys football team threw tennis balls and game controllers on the field to protest recent esports investments.

The esports industry has boomed in recent years, to the point that even traditional sports teams are wondering how to get into the action. Unfortunately, some fans don’t take kindly to this connection.

During a match between the Young Boys and Basel – two Swiss football teams – fans disrupted the game with a planned protest. Audience members from the Young Boys side threw tennis balls and Dualshock controllers into the field while unfurling a larger banner. Some fans on Basel’s side even had a flag of their own. Referees suspended the game for a few minutes in response. (Thanks Eurogamer.)

@LeParisienSport @lequipe #EDS #EDE
jets de balles de tennis? du kop des deux clubs sur le terrain lors du match de football Young-Boys-FC Bâle pour protester contre les eSport
…puis pluie de buts, jaunes aussi, 7-1 pour les Bernois, symbole de la passation de l’an dernier? pic.twitter.com/EdbFJSlXwy

— Meylan Jean-Pierre (@LuiGrenat) September 23, 2018

The Young Boys doesn’t have an esports team, but Basel does, along with an increasing number of football clubs. The reception among fans is clearly mixed, as many would prefer these investments go to real-world matches.

Thankfully, the protest didn’t cramp the Young Boys, who won by 7-1.