Hockey ultras could face five years over Prilly-Malley attack

Hockey fans who attacked supporters in Prilly-Malley could face up to five years in prison, SRF reported, as prosecutors investigate the assault. Foreign nationals convicted of the offence would also face mandatory expulsion from Switzerland, prosecutor Bernard Dénéréaz said.

The attack took place on October 24, after Lausanne beat Fribourg-Gottéron in a home game. At about 10.45pm, as buses carrying Fribourg fans left the arena under police escort, a group of ultras stopped the second bus near Prilly-Malley railway station and forced the driver to open its doors.

About 20 masked men then stormed the station and attacked Lausanne fans waiting for a train. Two people were seriously injured and taken to hospital. The attackers fled before police arrived.

The Vaud cantonal prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal investigation. Dénéréaz said authorities had seen an increase in such incidents over the past four to five years. Vaud cantonal police and Lausanne’s criminal police have formed a specialist investigation team, which attends high-risk games. Four prosecutors are also on standby at those matches and can conduct interviews and order initial investigative steps after serious incidents.

Fribourg-Gottéron has banned the leaders of two involved ultra groups from its arena and prohibited banners and flags bearing their images until further notice. Lausanne general manager Chris Wolf said bans would also follow the ongoing investigations. The club has announced it will reintroduce identity checks for upcoming home games against Fribourg-Gottéron.

The injured fans were discharged from hospital last week, SRF reported. Investigators are still working to identify the attackers. In a previous case, Grasshoppers Zurich football ultras were sentenced in 2021 to three and a half months in prison without suspension for rioting at Lausanne’s stadium. Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court upheld that ruling.