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Swiss Soccer Fans Protest Esports by Throwing Tennis Balls and Game Controllers On the Field (variety.com)
Soccer fans in Switzerland protested against increased investment in esports by throwing tennis balls and game consoles on the field during a Swiss Super League match. From a report: The fans reportedly threw tennis balls and game controllers onto the field, forcing the referee to stop the game between Young Boys and FC Basel for two minutes while everything was cleared away. The Young Boys protesters then held up a giant banner with a pause button symbol, while Basel fans also raised their own sign supporting the protest. One of the banners read "Scheiss esports," which roughly translates to "esports are s---." European soccer clubs are increasingly getting involved in esports leagues. While Young Boys doesn't have any skin in professional gaming yet, Basel has its own "FIFA" team.
The article is pretty light on details. Why exactly is an "increased investment in esports" a bad thing for these teams? I don't really care what my club invests in, as long as it makes money and helps the organization.
... is poorly informed outrage mob.
This almost sounds like a stunt 4chan would pull. Not the protest itself, but getting people to do it.
They can't stop someone from playing the game... but they sure as hell can stop anyone playing under whatever they are governing.
Once FIFA expels a league, that league can no longer claim affiliation with FIFA. But so long as that league doesn't claim such affiliation, what right under the law of any developed country does FIFA have to keep that league from playing matches by the same rules, using a pitch and ball with the same specifications as those used by FIFA members?