During the football European Championship in Germany, Switzerland’s national team stays at the Waldau Stadium on the outskirts of Stuttgart. It happens to be located directly below perhaps Stuttgart’s biggest tourist attraction – the 217 meter high TV tower, right on the edge of the city. When news visited the sight, we were refused to take pictures or video of about a third of the view. ICONIC: The tower is a landmark for Stuttgart. But when news visited the tower, not all directions were captured on film. Photo: Ap On the side of the tower that faced the city – and Switzerland’s training facility – it was closed off with barrier tape. A guard stood and made sure no one took pictures. When asked by news why this is so, Francisco Hoyo, communications manager for the TV tower, replies: – Half a year ago, Switzerland visited the area to look at it before the European Championship, and soon afterwards it became clear that the TV tower could become a problem for closed training sessions. SNAKKIS: The tower that towers over Switzerland’s training facility has been mentioned in a number of media. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP Dismisses “paranoia” about spies He points out that all teams in the championship have the right to completely shut down training. The fear before the EC was that the view from the bar and restaurant at the top of the tower would attract scouts and spies from competitors. A number of media reported before the start of the EC that it was the Swiss who feared espionage from above. – Storm in a glass of water, asserts Sergio Affuso. He is the media chief of Switzerland and has seen the case of spy fears spread around the world in recent weeks. – This about the tower was a story the media published in Switzerland. But it wasn’t because we said anything about it. They just wanted clicks on their cases, he says. STRICT NOTICE: On this day, in the time period 11.00-13.00, it was not allowed to take pictures in the direction of Switzerland’s coach. Information was provided both when the entrance ticket was purchased and on a number of signs. Photo: Sondre Skandsen Affuso emphasizes that the team did not sincerely fear espionage from the restaurant 200 meters above the ground. Nevertheless, he has to admit: – From the restaurant and bar at the top you can look straight down at our training sessions. Thus, Uefa and the organizer offered that a guard stands there and makes sure that no one takes pictures or films our training sessions. When news tried to take a picture in the direction of the training field, we were quickly asked to put down our mobile phones by the guard who followed all the visitors with a hawk’s eye. Had to stop a camera crew Francisco Hoyo, who works daily on the spectacular tower, says they are met with understanding that the view – which happens to be at its best in the blocked-off direction – is not always available. – But we had to stop a camera team at the top a little while ago. They wanted to film down towards the pitch. – There were also some at the start of the championship who tried to excuse themselves by saying that “it went well because they were from Switzerland”, but they also understood that we had to deny them that. Hoyo adds that something similar has also happened around other training facilities during the championship. Among other things, a primary school and a public bathing facility in other cities have had to close to protect the national team, which is supposed to train in peace. And Switzerland? They are through to the round of 16, where they will meet Italy in Berlin on Saturday 29 June. They will still be at the training facility for the next few days. The EC’s most illegal photo can thus still be snapped in Stuttgart. HERE, BUT NO FURTHER: This man was at work. news received no exception to the rule. Photo: Sondre Skandsen / news Published 27.06.2024, at 11.32
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For two hours, the tourists are refused to take this photo – European Football Championship 2024
