The roar of the crowd at Swiss ice hockey games is about to get a new soundtrack. The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF) has announced it will replace the current goal anthem, “Richi” by the Stubete Gäng, with a new song in time for the upcoming World Championship. While the change was initially linked to a public dispute with the family featured in the song, the SIHF maintains the decision was already in the works, though the timing has amplified the controversy surrounding the popular tune.
“Richi” quickly became a fan favorite after being adopted as the goal song for the Swiss national team nearly two years ago. The song’s origins, yet, lie in a viral moment from the Swiss public television program “Auf und Davon” (Up and Away). The indicate documented the Schönbächler family’s 2010 move to Canada, and a clip of young Richi falling from a digger, prompting his father Hermann’s now-iconic phrase “Richi, i ha gseit, du söusch di guet häbe!” (“Richi, I told you to be careful!”), resonated deeply with the Swiss public. The phrase, and the family’s story, became a widespread meme.
The song’s popularity surged, reaching 7.5 million streams on Spotify as of March 2024, and even found its way to international hockey arenas, including a celebratory moment with the Swedish team at the 2024 U20 World Championship. https://www.srf.ch/play/embed?urn=urn:srf:video:625ba4d5-e4f8-407d-bdd7-064dd26c3e77&start=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" allow="geolocation *; autoplay; encrypted-media The video, originally posted by SRF, shows the Swiss team celebrating a victory against the Czech Republic with “Richi” playing in the background.
A Family’s Concerns Over Unsolicited Commercialization
However, the family Schönbächler recently voiced strong objections to the leverage of their likeness and the song itself, taking to Facebook to express their dismay. They allege that various merchandise items – including socks, stickers, books, games, and music – have been produced and sold without their knowledge or consent, and that they have received no financial benefit from the song’s commercial success. The family, now residing in Western Canada, stated they were particularly troubled by the song’s lyrics, which they sense inappropriately reference their son’s private life.
“The absolute height of disrespect is the ‘Richi Song’ by the Stubete Gang, in which the musicians have gone so far as to use Hermann’s voice and quotes without our permission or that of SRF, and in PARTICULAR, their lyrics violate the privacy and intimacy of our minor son. The song was also selected as a ‘goal song’ for hockey stadiums without our knowledge and is now becoming increasingly popular,” the family wrote in their Facebook post.
The family emphasized that Richi Schönbächler was only 14 years old when the song was released and are now requesting that the music video on YouTube, which has nearly three million views, be reported. They argue the song, created for commercial gain without their consent, “violates the dignity of our son and therefore of the other members of the family.” They have asked the public to respect their privacy and allow the matter to rest after many years.
SIHF Confirms New Song, Separates Issue from Family Concerns
The SIHF acknowledged the family’s concerns but clarified that the decision to change the goal anthem was not directly prompted by their Facebook post. According to a statement provided to watson.ch, the federation had been considering introducing a new song for some time. The timing, however, has inevitably linked the two events. The new song will also be produced by the Stubete Gäng and is expected to be unveiled before the start of the upcoming World Championship, which Switzerland will host.
The Stubete Gäng, known for other popular Swiss-German songs like “Petra Sturzenegger” and “Göschene Airolo,” have not yet publicly responded to the family’s allegations. The band’s representatives could not be immediately reached for comment. The SIHF has not indicated whether the new song will address the concerns raised by the Schönbächler family or if it will be a completely fresh composition.
The situation highlights the complex issues surrounding the use of personal stories and images in popular culture, particularly when minors are involved. It also raises questions about the commercialization of viral moments and the importance of obtaining consent from individuals whose likenesses are used for profit. The Swiss public, who embraced “Richi” with such enthusiasm, are now grappling with the ethical implications of its widespread popularity.
The SIHF has stated that further details regarding the new goal anthem, including its title and release date, will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can expect to hear the new song in arenas across Switzerland during the upcoming World Championship, marking a new chapter in the nation’s hockey celebrations. For updates on the SIHF’s announcements, visit their official website: https://www.sihf.ch/
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and perspectives in the comments below.
