UEFA/EU safety conference

Strengthening the partnership
UEFA works closely with the EU's Football Safety and Security Experts Group, which includes experts from interior ministries, National Football Information Points and police representatives. The conference will consider ways of bolstering the partnership between UEFA, governments and police in terms of implementing the EU group's work.

Huge progress
"Developing effective partnerships has enabled some countries in Europe to make huge progress in the last ten years or more," said William Gaillard, UEFA director of communications and public affairs. "They have brought together the key elements of a successful strategy: fence-free, comfortable stadiums where the club itself takes responsibility for safety in the ground, and where trained stewards look after the fans. The police have a low profile. At the same time, tough judicial measures and effective intelligence-sharing ensure the exclusion of troublemakers and prevent the violent minority from travelling to games. The result is that the game of football takes centre stage."

Partnership the focus
That is why partnership will be the central theme of the Brussels conference. Minimising safety and security risks requires effective partnerships between all stakeholders at international, national and local levels – involving all tiers of government, law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, sports governing bodies, and other agencies including supporters' groups. The EU experts' work programme proposes that all safety and security personnel, including the police, are properly trained and prepared to provide everbody involved in the game with a safe, secure and comfortable match environment.