Blatter protest in Zurich
November 5, 2014
Up to 100 students were involved in a protest at one of Switzerland's most reputable universitites, the ETH Zurich, on Tuesday (04.11.2014).
At least one smoke bomb was let off after some of the demonstrators managed to enter the building where FIFA President Sepp Blatter was giving a lecture. Photographs showed a plume of red smoke inside the building and the presence of police wearing helmets and body armor.
The protesters apparently took a wrong turn, however, and did not manage to get into the room where Blatter was holding his talk, according to media reports.
Outside, students held up banners with slogans such as "chase Blatter away." The group also distributed leaflets saying that the FIFA-run World Cup in Brazil had destroyed local people's living conditions and raised rents.
Public transport was disrupted for around two hours in the region around the ETH university although no arrests or injuries were reported. After leaving the building the demonstrators apparently moved into Zurich's city center, where they then protested further.
Blatter, 78, is planning to stand for a fifth term as FIFA president in next year's election. His lecture was titled "Football as a School of Life."
al/mkg (Reuters, Tagesanzeiger, 20 Minuten)