Elements

Supporting comments

Historical rivalry between clubs

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Expected violence

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Racist behaviour

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Away supporters likely in home sector

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Pitch invasion

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Alcohol-related problems

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Use of weapons

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Knowledge of police tactics

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Other

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Terrorist threat

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Political tension/use of banners

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Use of flares/fireworks likely

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Travelling supporters without tickets

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Black market tickets

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Other

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Counterfeit tickets

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Sale/use of illegal drugs

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Other

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Requirements to be met by the organiser

Indicate where applicable

1.

Appointment of a safety officer

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The appointment of a safety officer for the coordination and conduct of safety policy.

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The safety officer is authorised to take operational decisions concerning safety.

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The safety officer has to be accessible at any time.

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As far as issues involving the organiser are concerned, the safety arrangements are made in consultation with the competent authorities and police services and with the safety officer appointed by the organiser.

2.

Safety standards with regard to infrastructure

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The stadium infrastructure makes it possible to separate efficiently rival supporters, both at the entrance and at the stadium itself.

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Only a stadium or parts of stadiums that conform to nationally and/or internationally imposed security standards are used.

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Minimum safety standards:

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the external boundaries of the stadium are indicated by a fence which is designed to prevent any form of uncontrolled entrance of persons, objects or substances,

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there are enough (emergency) exits which cannot serve simultaneously as entrances and which offer sufficient safety guarantees, should evacuation require spectators to leave the stadium or move towards the pitch,

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the stadium and its constituent parts must meet the necessary requirements as regards fire regulations, resistance and structural stability,

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an operations room, which accommodates the representatives of the emergency services, the public order officials and the organiser, is, as a coordination point during the game, equipped with the necessary technical devices for closed-circuit security, a security camera system and a PA system for notifying spectators. These cameras must make it possible to spot every incident and identify the troublemakers,

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the stadium has medical aid stations and adequate sanitary facilities suited to the stadium's capacity,

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there is adequate separation of rival supporters,

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the necessary signs and pictograms must be present in the stadium so as to guide the spectators to the emergency exits and/or to the precise sector for which they have an entry ticket,

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a maximum capacity per sector must be determined according to the stadium's safe capacity,

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the stadium must undergo regular maintenance and all loose or damaged parts, all waste or objects that can be used as missiles ought to be either repaired or removed,

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technical, electrical and gas facilities must be installed and maintained in compliance with the general standards in force.

3.

Employment of stewards

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Sufficient, properly recruited and adequately trained stewards are required in order to receive and supervise the spectators.

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The stewards perform the following duties:

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receiving and supervising spectators,

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inspecting the stadium facilities before and after the game,

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providing the spectators with all the information that they need regarding organisation, infrastructure and rescue teams,

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limited checks of clothes and luggage, should there be reasonable grounds for doing this, and to the extent that the applicable national legislation allows,

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checking that ground regulations are observed,

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ensuring that the public does not gain access to prohibited places,

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helping spectators to enter and leave the stadium smoothly and without difficulty,

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providing the emergency services and the police with all information pertaining to spectators who are likely to disturb public order,

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taking all the appropriate measures while awaiting the intervention of the police and emergency services,

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taking preventive action in any situation which is likely to threaten public order.

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In recruiting stewards, care must be taken to ensure that stewards meet the requirements as regards physical and psychological suitability for performing their tasks.

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The training of the stewards should cover the following theoretical and practical topics:

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the organisation of and the safety procedures with regard to football games,

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the basic legislation and regulations in force, including the ground regulations,

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communication techniques,

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observation and identification techniques,

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entrance check techniques,

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approach to conflicts,

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first aid and fire safety,

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procedures for evacuating the stadium,

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cooperation with emergency services and police services,

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a training course for certain matches.

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The stewards must be given regular refresher courses related to the developments and possible changes in the aforementioned areas.

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The stewards must be briefed prior to each match. The aim is to give the stewards the necessary information according to the specific circumstances of each game.

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When on duty, stewards must wear a fluorescent outer garment which distinguishes them from regular spectators and which bears the inscription ‘STEWARD’.

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The organiser or the authority concerned can call upon stewards from the visiting team. This kind of support is only useful when these stewards can provide added value. This added value is assessed in the light of certain criteria such as sufficient experience of working as a steward and knowing one's own supporters.

4.

Ticketing policy and ticket control

(a)

Ticketing policy

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Ticketing policy is an important instrument in promoting safety and order in stadiums. In particular, it centres on the separation of rival fans, prevention of overcrowding and control of spectator movements, and on enforcing stadium bans previously imposed by football organisations or other competent bodies.

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When establishing a ticket policy, organisers must take into account Community competition rules. In applying those rules, the Commission will take into account factors relating to the maintenance of order and safety.

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Starting points:

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The distribution of tickets should ensure that fans of the participating teams are separated into sections.

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Ticket distribution policy and the allocation of tickets among participating countries should reflect ticket demand from fans in those countries.

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Sales policy should be designed to prevent black-market sales and ticket fraud.

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Fans should be prevented from buying tickets for a section of the stadium not designated for them.

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Tickets should provide information about the holder of the ticket, its origin, the game to be played and the assigned seat; in short it should provide a history.

(b)

Ticket control

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Ticket policy should be given practical effect through ticket control in which:

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The separation of supporters is achieved by a strict allocation of tickets providing seats or standing places to separate rival groups of supporters. This means that, the place (seat) in the stadium is determined by the team followed and/or the nationality of the supporter.

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Ticket policy should be designed so that allocation and hence separation of rival fans cannot be circumvented through the transfer of tickets in any form.

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Overcrowding is prevented by ensuring that the number of tickets allocated for open sale is determined by stadium infrastructure. The prevention of counterfeit or forged tickets will also prevent overcrowding.

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Should it not be possible to separate supporters under given circumstances, alternative security measures ought to be provided for the ground sections in question, e.g. reinforced closed-circuit cameras, more stewards, separate entrances, etc.

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The basic premise is that the admission capacity of each stadium will be determined in the light of risk analysis and that the full capacity is not completely sold. Some leeway is necessary in order to admit fans with tickets for the wrong section, which is determined by the team supported and/or the nationality of the fans.

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Spectator movements in and around the stadium are controlled by adequately dividing the stadium into recognisable sections and providing relevant signposting.

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Stadium bans are enforced by the arrangements made for applications for and distribution of tickets and by measures against any form of transfer of tickets issued.

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Registration by the organisers as part of ticket control forms an important source of information for the organisers, the management and the police.

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Ticket control is geared to stadium admission and involves:

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the printing of admission tickets,

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the distribution of admission tickets,

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admission checks.

Realisation

A.

Admission tickets should meet strict quality requirements

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Match and stadium data should be given.

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Code of conduct for fans.

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Conditions for admission to and presence in the stadium in the spectators' own language.

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Name of the holder and name of the ticket agent/distributor.

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In principle, the buyer of the ticket is also the end user.

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Tickets should be forgery-proof.

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Each ticket should be accompanied by a notice in which the organisers indicate that:

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specified objects may not be taken into the stadium,

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alcoholic beverages and/or drugs are prohibited when entering or when present inside the stadium,

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action will be taken in response to the throwing of fireworks or other objects in the stadium,

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action will be taken in response to any form of insulting or racist behaviour,

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occupying a seat not matching the number on the ticket could result in expulsion from the stadium,

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spectators at matches must agree to being searched when entering the stadium and are required to produce identification, on request, when presenting admission tickets.

B.

There should be the following requirements for the distribution of tickets

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In information campaigns, the organiser should publicise the official sales outlets and method of sale and urge the public not to buy admission tickets elsewhere, warning them that the distribution system leaves no scope for black-market sales.

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The organiser should continually monitor ticket holdings per country and per distributor.

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Available tickets should be distributed to target groups in such a way as to allow sufficient tickets, in all fairness and to the extent permissible under Community competition rules, both for the general public and for fans of participating teams.

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The organiser must impose an obligation to return tickets on national associations in countries with insufficient sales.

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The organiser must impose an obligation on the official distributor to return unsold tickets.

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The organiser should bear in mind that distribution and sale of admission tickets in batches will improve control over the sale process. The organiser should impose reliability requirements for distributors.

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In the event of irregularities, the organiser should have the power to intervene in the distribution process at any time.

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The organiser should impose an information requirement on distributors, who should inform the organiser of the progress of ticket sales, if possible together with travel schedules and accommodation.

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If applications for tickets are not made exclusively within national associations or the individual football clubs of spectators or fans, individual applicants should indicate the team they support. This can be taken into account on public order and safety grounds during the final allocation of tickets.

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Admission tickets should not be transferable.

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Persons on whom stadium bans have been imposed will not be issued admission tickets.

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No tickets will be sold on the day of the match.

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Purchasers will not be supplied with more than two tickets. The tickets will be issued in their names.

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The final delivery of tickets should be as late as possible (exchangeable vouchers).

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The organiser must provide assurances that the person whose name appears on a ticket, the ticketholder, will ultimately receive that ticket.

C.

Requirements for proper admission policy and control

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The organiser will announce in advance those spectators who will be admitted to the stadium and those who will be refused admission.

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Those on whom stadium bans have been imposed will not be admitted in any case.

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Spectators clearly under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted.

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Spectators will not be admitted if they are carrying objects that could pose a threat to safety and order in the stadium.

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Spectators will not be admitted if they are carrying objects that in any way reflect political aims, discrimination, racism or insulting attitudes.

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Admission controls should be of a high standard, including the searching of persons and enforcing of stadium bans.

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Smooth admission controls should prevent lengthy queuing.

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Admission controls should guard against overcrowding of stadium sections.

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Where automatic admission systems are used, they should meet high standards of reliability and continuity.

(c)

Accreditation

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In addition to the ticketing policy, the accreditation strategy represents one of the key instruments in order to ensure safety in the stadium. The accreditation system is to prevent overcrowding and must make it possible to manage the crowds and to undertake crowd control.

Realisation:

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Accreditation is given only to the person who is to perform a specific function within a definite area of the stadium, and the accreditation is issued only for the given area.

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The accreditation does not entitle the person to a seat in the stadium.

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An accreditation is not transferable.

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The accreditation has to be fraud-proof.

5.

Stadium regulations — civil-law exclusion

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Stadium regulations are laid down in writing. They comprise the organiser's internal rules, and set out as a minimum the prohibited items and the forms of behaviour which are not tolerated, as well as rules with regard to the handing in of objects.

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The supporters are notified clearly and continuously of the ground regulations.

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The necessary measures to ensure implementation of the ground regulations and to check their observance are taken.

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A regulation on civil-law exclusion is laid down. This exclusion is imposed on people whose actions or behaviour infringe the stadium regulations.

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The necessary measures to ensure the enforcement of the civil exclusion and to check its observance are taken.

6.

Agreement(s) which is (are) to be concluded  (1)

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The organiser of a national or international football game concludes an agreement regarding its obligations, with the authorities, the police services and emergency services concerned. This agreement makes it possible to lay down the organiser's obligations in a contract and make them enforceable.

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This agreement is drawn up within a reasonable period of time prior to the game, tournament or competition and includes the organiser's obligations and responsibilities.

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This agreement comprises at least the following provisions:

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the maximum number of spectators who may be admitted into the stadium,

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the provisions with regard to the stadium's safety standards,

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the applicable emergency plan and evacuation plan,

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the plan of the stadium,

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the agreements concluded with regard to the organiser's obligations and responsibilities, more precisely with respect to the ticketing and accreditation policy, the deployment of the stewards, the closed-circuit camera security system, the alcohol policy, the agreements concerning prohibited objects, the agreements as regards the exchange of information with the organiser (in particular any information in respect of the police services concerning the programme of football matches (competitive games or friendly games) at international level, which involves consultation before the date of the game is decided), etc.

7.

Local charter

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The organiser of a national or international football game and all parties involved including the police and local authorities, the supporters’ clubs, the local residents (or residents’ associations) and the transport companies conclude a local charter, which aims at building a relationship based on mutual trust.

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This local charter guarantees thus the safety of all the supporters, local residents and other parties involved, both inside and outside the stadium.

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This local charter contains the following provisions:

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linking membership of a supporters’ club or federation with certain conditions; failure to fulfil these conditions will lead to exclusion from the supporters' clubs and to a ban on entry to the stadium for those persons,

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promoting the advance sales of admission tickets,

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a clear and concrete description of how to deal with problems which arise when the security standards are not met, with details of any alternative security standards,

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exchanging information as regards supporters’ whereabouts, intentions and habits,

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formulating solutions with regard to the problems of the local residents and the people living in the neighbourhood,

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reaching agreements with the transport companies involved.

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The organiser of a national or international football game includes in this local charter a timetable for achieving the various schemes and/or initiatives to be launched.

POLICE letters:

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