Dear Hooligan, no trouble during Euro please. Yours, Swiss police

Days before the European Football Championships kick off in Basel, Swiss police have sent letters to football hooligans warning them that no violence would be tolerated, a Swiss tabloid reported Thursday.

The tabloid Blick said at least 300 of the letters addressed to “Dear Mr/Mrs” hooligan and titled “For a peaceful international football festival” have been sent out to known trouble-makers.

“We know that you are someone who does not always hold fast to the rules in sports events. Therefore, to our knowledge, you have been banned from the stadiums or served with other measures,” wrote the police.

“We wish that you too could enjoy this major sports event in a sportsmanlike and festive fashion,” it added.

However, the police also warned that they would “not tolerate” any violence, and would “intervene promptly in any such occurrences”.

As it began politely, the letter also concluded amicably, saying: “We hope that we would only encounter each other in a pleasant manner. In case you have any questions, please get in touch with us.”

Meanwhile, individual cantons of orderly Switzerland have also come up with appeals for fans to not “compromise the tranquility of residents” after the matches.

Canton Vaud, where the French and Dutch football teams are staying, said that “cortege or convoys of vehicles are not favoured by the police”.

It added that “those who show no respect for traffic lights, speed limits and the priority and security of pedestrians, would be condemned”.

The canton said fans could “express their joy” in pedestrian zones which are accessible via public transport.

“The police will be tolerant on noise at the end of matches, but will watch that it does not go too far to compromise the tranquility of residents,” it added.