Fans interrupt a football match to protest against Esport

Esports occasionally gets negative reception, for example, when Jimmy Kimmel compared gaming tournaments with fantasy football. Last weekend an IRL professional football match got interrupted because fans decided to boycott Esports.

Swiss football fans caused a diversion during a match between local teams Young Boys and Basel. They protested the organizations behind the teams who were investing into Esports, which is a requirement for Swiss Super League participants. Protesters threw tennis balls and console controllers with “f*ck esports”  written on them on the field. In the sitting area of the stadium, a group of people unrolled a huge banner featuring a “pause” button.

Ostkurve Bern who represents the activist group behind the protest wrote on Facebook:

— In March 2019, the Swiss Football League will start its own league; this has nothing to do with our sport and the values of our association! This is all about profit!

He also added that Sports Clubs are intended to get people to move, and Football is unlike any other sport.

Redeye, a well-known Esport host, had a couple of words about the incident:

Well established sports organizations are increasing their interest in Esports. The most notable football club dive into competitive gaming is Paris Saint-Germain’s investment into LGD, who took 3rd place at The International 2018.