Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Comprehensive action plan details how UEFA is implementing the recommendations made by the Independent Review Panel following the events at last season’s UEFA Champions League Final at Stade de France.
Overview
After assessing all of the recommendations, published on 13 February by the Independent Review Panel, UEFA has brought in measures to enhance the existing safeguards for fans attending its club and national team competition finals.
The measures contained in the action plan cover every aspect of the planning and staging of UEFA competition finals. They concern standard operating procedures, host bidding requirements and internal compliance mechanisms, so that these events provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for all, ensuring spectators are well-treated, including by making stadiums more accessible to children, older people and people with disabilities.
UEFA has drawn both on the recommendations of the Panel and the findings of an internal working group, established immediately after the 2022 Champions League Final.
UEFA has also had extensive and positive dialogue with fan groups, primarily through Football Supporters Europe (FSE) to further involve fans in the planning and execution of the finals.
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UEFA and FSE in January 2023, representatives from FSE have taken part in preparatory site visits to the host venues, contributing expertise and making recommendations, to ensure that the perspective of supporters is taken into consideration. UEFA benefits from valuable insights from fan groups on matters relevant to supporters. This includes monitoring and observing matches, surveying supporters and delivering detailed reports including instances of best practice and recommendations on areas of improvement in relation to supporter experience.
Their representatives are also involved in all finals, tracking and reporting on the fans’ journey throughout the event. Dedicated UEFA supporter liaison officers and UEFA disability access officers are now appointed for each final to help the finalist clubs to communicate and coordinate all arrangements for their fans.
Additional resources will be available on-site to ensure high-level, welcoming supporter services and that appropriate information and guidance are provided to fans, particularly across the ‘last kilometre’ routes.
UEFA has increased the number of its safety and security officers covering the finals. Dedicated project leads within UEFA are supported by external expertise covering areas such as safety, security and intelligence. Where necessary, officers are deployed in the host venue ahead of the final.
Many of the measures are already in place, such as embedding finalist teams and supporter organisations in UEFA’s strategy around finals, strengthening the assessment of stadium facilities for fans with disabilities, and enhancing what the Panel refers to as “interoperability” between host associations, local authorities and UEFA.
UEFA has taken these measures whilst acknowledging the constitutional roles and responsibilities of the police and other public bodies, as recognised in the safety and security guarantees, which UEFA requires from host countries as part of the bidding process.
Local knowledge and experience are essential for the successful staging of the finals. Consequently, UEFA continues to rely on the local expertise and responsibilities assumed by stakeholders in the host venue such as the stadium operators and the host associations.
Other measures reinforce existing processes and partnerships, such as UEFA’s long-standing commitment to the Council of Europe’s “Saint Denis Convention” on integrated safety, security and service at football matches, which was signed during UEFA EURO 2016. Future UEFA bid documents will require every host of a UEFA final to commit to act according to the philosophy of the Convention, even when their country has not signed up to it.
UEFA is also an observer in the Committee on Safety and Security at Sports Events, established by the Council of Europe to monitor compliance with the Convention and to provide advice and support in order to help national governments to improve their policymaking in this area.
UEFA is fully committed to enhancing the welcoming, service-oriented and inclusive experience for all supporters attending its finals.
Here is a summary of the actions taken which focus on two main objectives:
- Making fans an integral part of UEFA finals, and
- Ensuring alignment and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the staging of these finals.
Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA General Secretary, said, “At UEFA, we are fully committed to ensuring that every football fan can enjoy their team’s appearance in a UEFA final in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. We have developed and implemented comprehensive operational measures which incorporate the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel and the valuable input of fan groups to enhance safety and security at our club and national team competition finals. By implementing the best practices outlined in our action plan and further engaging with fan groups, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our events in a safe, inclusive and enjoyable atmosphere. We value their cooperation and will continue to work together to ensure that every supporter is heard, included and respected.”
Ronan Evain, Executive Director of Football Supporters Europe, said, “We commend UEFA on the commitment to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review and other operational changes to consolidate the level of safety, security and service offered to all fans at UEFA finals. We have experienced first-hand the increased level of supporter engagement over the last year and welcome the strengthened approach to the integration of supporters’ perspectives in the preparation of the finals. FSE will continue to advocate on behalf of fans to ensure that the areas of best practice outlined in the action plan are also taken on board by clubs and implemented throughout the season.”
