Lausanne police intervened on Friday evening in the Boveresses district to prevent a new wild football match from being held. The day before, a party had gathered around 1000 young people despite the bans on assembly.
All the goals in this district, located on the heights of the city, were removed Friday evening and evacuated on fire trucks, explained to Keystone-ATS Antoine Golay, spokesman for the Lausanne police. This operation was carried out “as a preventive measure,” he noted.
Youth groups “appeared to want to come and play,” but were deterred by the police, the spokesman said. He said the police had checked identities, but no one had been arrested.
We’ve taken steps to ensure there’s no game tonight.
Beatrice Metraux, Vaud State Councilor
This operation was carried out in coordination between the City of Lausanne and the canton of Vaud. “We have taken all measures to ensure that there is no match tonight,” warned state security adviser Béatrice Métraux, interviewed at 7:30 p.m. RTS.
Too dangerous
Thursday evening, however, the police were taken aback at Boveresses, where a match bringing together around 1000 young people could take place, according to information from the RTS. The police did not intervene, but opened an investigation to find those responsible.
“Given the number of people present, it might have been dangerous or even counterproductive for the police to intervene,” said Mr. Golay. He said that the police remained at a distance to avoid possible overflows.
It might have been dangerous or even counterproductive for the police to intervene.
Antoine Golay, spokesperson for the Lausanne police
“We knew something was going on, but we didn’t know the exact location. It was therefore difficult to prevent this match beforehand, “said Mr. Golay, adding that this type of meeting is organized between young people on social networks.
The wild match at Boveresses was not the first of its kind to take place. At least one other, in Chavannes-près-Renens, has been organized in recent days. “Surveys will be carried out in collaboration with the canton. Those responsible and participants who have been identified will be denounced, ”said Mr. Golay.
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