Security in connection with football events with an international dimension

KEY POINTS

• EU countries must set up a national football information point to support the policing of international top-level football events between teams from different countries. These have the task of:

  • coordinating and enabling international police cooperation and information exchange;
  • sharing information on high-risk supporters;
  • assisting national authorities where necessary;
  • performing a risk assessment of their own country’s clubs and national team and sharing this with other EU countries.

• Information is shared before, during and after a football event as follows:

  • strategic information, specifying all aspects of the event, with particular reference to any security risks;
  • operational information, providing a picture of proceedings in the course of the event;
  • tactical information, enabling appropriate action to be taken to maintain order and security, and feedback after the event.
• Information is confidential and should be provided in good time, with safeguards on the exchange of personal data, in accordance with relevant national and international legislation.
• Decision 2002/348/JHA was amended in 2007 by Decision 2007/412/JHA on security in connection with football matches with an international dimension.
• A 2003 Council resolution asked EU countries to consider banning from football stadiums individuals who had previously committed acts of violence at football events. It included the possibility of bans extending to other EU countries, backed up by penalties for non-compliance.
• The handbook for international police cooperation, the ‘EU Football Handbook’, originally introduced in 1999 and updated by the Council resolutions of 4 December 2006, 3 June 2010 and 29 November 2016, provides a template for sharing information.

• The handbook details arrangements for:

  • intelligence gathering;
  • reconnaissance;
  • the role of police spotters or informers;
  • crowd control;
  • communication with supporters and the media;
  • the conditions under which police officers can directly assist in other countries.
• In a 2014 decision, the European Commission and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) agreed to boost cooperation and dialogue, including actions to step up efforts against violence at football stadiums. They hold senior-level meetings at least once a year to review progress.