Basel Going Into Lockdown Mode

May 27th, 2008 | by: chris |

Each city has been writing their rules to their discretion for the upcoming tourny. Basel, in the north of Switzerland, has decided that instead of tackling beer or the likes, they’ll focus on punishing the hooligans who take to making a mess of the festivities. They’ve decided to reopen and spruce up a 19th century prison in the city to house the hooligans for the tournament. Nothing sounds less cool than “ancient prison”, does it?

(Yes, that’s some of the sprucing on the left – wood didn’t look that good in the 1800’s.)

The prison is designed to hold a modest 350-400 of the rowdier fans in attendance and though it’s old, the nice little video tour we’re given (thanks to Reuters) doesn’t indicate anything which says “200 years old”. It actually looks like the place was kept up rather well until it wasn’t. So it’s not like the prisoners will be stuck in Chateau d’If or anything.

Actually, it may not be that bad:

But the hosts have made sure conditions won’t be too tough. Although inmates will not be allowed to leave, they will be relatively comfortable.

Comfort in prison? Sure, why not. It was, after all, a theater at one point.

And for all the money the city will spend (roughly 300,000 euros), it’ll only be for the duration of the tournament. After the festivities are over the prison will be demolished in favor of something not old and stinking of drunken football fans.