Lugano-Maccabi: the security device costs about CHF 80,000

The security device set up in Lugano on 20 August, for the match between FC Lugano and Maccabi Tel Aviv, is estimated to have cost about CHF 80,000. This is an estimate, not a final account. Of this sum, CHF 20,000 is charged to the city, or one quarter of the total.

Near the stadium, a pro-Palestinian mobilisation took place against the presence of the Israeli club. The demonstration passed without violent incidents. The text does not say how many people took part.

The cost estimate comes from the city government, which was answering a question from Lega city councillor Lucia Minotti on unauthorised demonstrations.

A case that differs from the agreements with the clubs

For sporting events, agreements with the clubs also govern the sharing of security costs. However, the government explains that Lugano's case is different, because the protest added to the risk inherent in the match.

Asked about the costs of various unauthorised protests, the government said no figure was available.

Another indicator comes from the latest report of the municipal police: in 2025, the public order service for demonstrations required a total of 7,650 hours of work. Spread over the 365 days of the year, this amounts to about 21 hours a day. The figure is an annual total and is not broken down by event. The text does not say how many of these hours relate to unauthorised protests.

A few questions remain open. What burden do these costs place on the municipal budget, given that no figure is available for other mobilisations? Do the agreements with the clubs also apply to part of these costs? And who bears the remaining CHF 60,000, which the text does not assign to anyone?