"I will address a ban on alcohol advertising at sporting events".
Heinz Keller from the Federal Office of Sport is considering a ban on alcohol advertising in stadiums
Heinz Keller from the Federal Office of Sport is considering a ban on alcohol advertising in stadiums "I will discuss a ban on alcohol advertising at sporting events"
How can violence in sports stadiums be curbed? Following the riots in Lugano on April 7, Heinz Keller, Director of the Federal Office of Sport, presented five ideas, including a ban on alcohol in stadiums. He also wants to bring up a ban on alcohol advertising. His ideas will be discussed on May 8.
Mr. Keller, in your five-point catalog you refer to a Council of Europe convention. What does it say?
Heinz Keller: The five points are actually a summary of the convention that came into being after the drama at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels in 1985 and was ratified by Switzerland in 1990. Among other things, it demands that the distribution of alcoholic beverages at international sports matches and national leagues be banned or at least reduced.
Does the convention also refer to an alcohol sponsoring or
-ban on advertising?
Keller: No, not directly. It's only about the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages.
How binding are such conventions?
Keller: They actually have legal status in every country. However, every convention contains the wording that "states should act within their means". This, of course, removes all binding force. But the common credo remains. Uefa has also adopted all of these requirements and makes them a condition for its matches.
Is alcohol the cause of violence at sporting events?
Keller: No, it is the secondary or even tertiary motive, and not even among the hooligans themselves, but among spectators. If violence breaks out in a stadium and some spectators are drunk, they are more likely to side with the violent offenders than non-alcoholics.
Would you also like to see a ban on alcohol at sporting events outside stadiums?
Keller: There is no legal basis for this and it would not be enforceable. However, sport itself should spread the message that active sport and alcohol are mutually exclusive. In any case, it should not initiate the consumption of alcohol.
However, the sports associations are biased in this respect when you think of their income from sponsorship and perimeter advertising by Feldschlösschen, Cynar or Martini.
Keller: That's precisely why I, as a state representative, have to raise this issue.
Are you calling for an actual ban on alcohol advertising at sporting events?
Keller: I will certainly address this. But it's clear that because the state is not stepping in with the appropriate replacement finances, it has a short lever.
How much money is involved?
Keller: Of the estimated 350 million francs that are generated each year in Switzerland through sports sponsorship alone, sponsorship by alcohol and cigarette brands probably accounts for around 50 to 100 million francs.
How did the top representatives of the sports associations react to the ban on alcohol?
Keller: Everyone who took part in the discussion on Easter Tuesday is unanimous in their opinion that alcohol should not be a reason to go to a sporting event. In addition, everyone wants to keep alcohol consumption as low as possible. My role as a representative of the state is to demand that sport and alcohol should have nothing to do with each other. And that's the role I want to play.
Do you think it is possible that the sports associations themselves will be able and willing to do without alcohol sponsorship and advertising within a reasonable period of time?
Keller: I think it is possible that sports associations will encourage their members to consume alcohol in moderation. Secondly, alcohol sponsors also have an interest in ensuring that their drinks are only consumed in moderation, especially in sport. They will therefore realize that sport-friendly sponsorship does not aim to achieve the highest possible alcohol consumption. Rather, it could be about advertising alcoholic beverages as drinks that should be consumed after the game - in a good atmosphere. And thirdly, it is in the interest of the sponsors that they do not experience a penetratingly negative appearance in connection with violence. That's why I have a lot of hope that we can find a common path with the sports associations and sponsors. Interview: Markus Knöpfli
Five proposals against violence in stadiums
How can violence in sports stadiums be curbed? Following the riots in Lugano on April 7, Heinz Keller, Director of the Federal Office of Sport, presented five ideas, including a ban on alcohol in stadiums. He also wants to bring up a ban on alcohol advertising. His ideas will be discussed on May 8.
Mr. Keller, in your five-point catalog you refer to a Council of Europe convention. What does it say?
Heinz Keller: The five points are actually a summary of the convention that came into being after the drama at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels in 1985 and was ratified by Switzerland in 1990. Among other things, it demands that the distribution of alcoholic beverages at international sports matches and national leagues be banned or at least reduced.
Does the convention also refer to an alcohol sponsoring or
-ban on advertising?
Keller: No, not directly. It's only about the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages.
How binding are such conventions?
Keller: They actually have legal status in every country. However, every convention contains the wording that "states should act within their means". This, of course, removes all binding force. But the common credo remains. Uefa has also adopted all of these requirements and makes them a condition for its matches.
Is alcohol the cause of violence at sporting events?
Keller: No, it is the secondary or even tertiary motive, and not even among the hooligans themselves, but among spectators. If violence breaks out in a stadium and some spectators are drunk, they are more likely to side with the violent offenders than non-alcoholics.
Would you also like to see a ban on alcohol at sporting events outside stadiums?
Keller: There is no legal basis for this and it would not be enforceable. However, sport itself should spread the message that active sport and alcohol are mutually exclusive. In any case, it should not initiate the consumption of alcohol.
However, the sports associations are biased in this respect when you think of their income from sponsorship and perimeter advertising by Feldschlösschen, Cynar or Martini.
Keller: That's precisely why I, as a state representative, have to raise this issue.
Are you calling for an actual ban on alcohol advertising at sporting events?
Keller: I will certainly address this. But it's clear that because the state is not stepping in with the appropriate replacement finances, it has a short lever.
How much money is involved?
Keller: Of the estimated 350 million francs that are generated each year in Switzerland through sports sponsorship alone, sponsorship by alcohol and cigarette brands probably accounts for around 50 to 100 million francs.
How did the top representatives of the sports associations react to the ban on alcohol?
Keller: Everyone who took part in the discussion on Easter Tuesday is unanimous in their opinion that alcohol should not be a reason to go to a sporting event. In addition, everyone wants to keep alcohol consumption as low as possible. My role as a representative of the state is to demand that sport and alcohol should have nothing to do with each other. And that's the role I want to play.
Do you think it is possible that the sports associations themselves will be able and willing to do without alcohol sponsorship and advertising within a reasonable period of time?
Keller: I think it is possible that sports associations will encourage their members to consume alcohol in moderation. Secondly, alcohol sponsors also have an interest in ensuring that their drinks are only consumed in moderation, especially in sport. They will therefore realize that sport-friendly sponsorship does not aim to achieve the highest possible alcohol consumption. Rather, it could be about advertising alcoholic beverages as drinks that should be consumed after the game - in a good atmosphere. And thirdly, it is in the interest of the sponsors that they do not experience a penetratingly negative appearance in connection with violence. That's why I have a lot of hope that we can find a common path with the sports associations and sponsors. Interview: Markus Knöpfli
Five proposals against violence in stadiums
1. general ban on alcohol in all stadiums
2. more consistent access controls at the stadiums
3. sanctions and implementation bans for negligent organizers
4. clubs should take fan work more seriously
5. stadium ban and penalties for known rioters
