Soccer Hooliganism In Switzerland Features A Lot Of SWAT-Team Intimidating Violence

You'd have been forgiven if you didn't think the land that gave us Roger Federer and Toblerone white chocolate was capable of bottle-throwing, stick-swinging, flare-wielding, mace-throwing, cop-scaring hooliganism.

But as this video from outside a May match between FC Zürich and FC Basel at Letzigrund Stadium, and recently released from the Zürich PD, proves, you'd have been wrong.

Marco Cortesi, spokesman for the Zürich police, commented on the violent images on the Swiss television programme "Rundschau".

"Had we intervened outside [the stadium area], the situation could have escalated and triggered unimaginable street fights," he said.

About 10 people were injured in the riots and the cost of the damage was almost 200,000 francs ($250,000), according to Blick newspaper.

Police release shocking hooligan videos [The Local] (H/T Tomuban)