UEFA took action after the incidents of the last final

UEFA announced the adoption of new measures in improve the protection of fans at the finals of their club and national team competitionscovering all aspects of its planning and organization and including increasing the number of security officers.

As UEFA explained, the measures refer to standard operating procedures, host bid requirements and internal compliance mechanisms, in make finals a safe and welcoming environment, which guarantees a good treatment for the spectators and which makes the stadiums more accessible for all types of public.

These are following Independent Review Panel recommendations from last year’s incidents in the final of the Champions League in Paris and in the internal working group created by UEFA after them, In addition to contributions from fan groups, mainly from Football Supporters Europe (FSE).

For UEFA, the main objective is to make fans an integral part of its finals and ensure cooperation between all parties involved in its organization.

This season the first club final is the Europa League, on May 31 in Budapest; followed by the finals of the Women’s Champions League on June 3 in Eindhoven, the Conference League on June 7 in Prague and the men’s Champions League on June 10 in Istanbul.

More agents and more attention to fans

UEFA explained that it has increased the number of security agents and that it has the support of external experts in areas such as security and intelligence, while agents are put in place before the final if necessary.

In each area there will be a support service for fans and appointed UEFA Disability Access and Fan Liaison Officers, to help finalist clubs. Medical and first aid personnel were visible and accessible, including at the turnstiles and on the stadium concourse, and a new incident control group was created.

UEFA emphasized that many of the steps are already underway and that they are made aware of the duties and responsibilities of the police and other public bodies, as recognized in the security guarantees it requires from host countries in the process of presenting candidacies.

The importance of local expertise

“Local knowledge and experience are essential for the success of the organization of the final. UEFA therefore continues to rely on local expertise and on the responsibilities assumed by stakeholders in the area, such as stadium operators and host association,” the European body said in a statement.

In it, he referred to his commitment to the Saint-Denis Convention of the Council of Europe on safety in football matches, signed during Euro 2016, so that the candidates for the finals promise to act in accordance with this convention, even that your country has not yet signed it, and your role as an observer in the Committee on Safety and Protection at Sporting Events, created by the Council of Europe

UEFA’s commitment

“By applying best practices to our action plan and engaging more with fan groups, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our events in a safe, inclusive and fun environment. Appreciate We appreciate your cooperation and will continue to work together to ensure fans are heard, included and respected,” said UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis.

For his part, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe, ronan evainhighlighted UEFA’s commitment to “unify the level of security, protection and service offered to all fans at the finals” and appreciated “incorporating the views of fans in the preparation of the finals”.