UEFA/EU confront hooliganism

UEFA President Michel Platini and senior European Union political figures have joined forces in calling for sport to be protected against violence and hooliganism. Measures are urged whereby sporting organisations, governments and the forces of law and order would also increase their co-operation.

Keynote conference
The message was issued at the start of a keynote two-day conference in Brussels, organised jointly by the European Commission (with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council) and the European Parliament, in association with UEFA, and entitled: Towards a European Union Strategy against violence in sport.

High-profile participants
Together with Mr Platini, participants include European Commission vice-president Franco Frattini, European Commissioner Ján Figeľ, high-ranking representatives from the EU member states, members of the European Parliament, and senior representatives of the Council of Europe. The Commission Action Plan for Sport – named the Pierre de Coubertin Plan in honour of the Frenchman who founded the International Olympic Committee – was adopted in summer 2007 as part of the Commission's White Paper on Sport. The high-level conference is one of the first actions in the Plan.

Political commitment
The main objective of the conference, which is being attended by 150 delegates from EU states, is: to demonstrate Europe's strong political commitment to preventing violence and other negative forms of conduct in the football community; propose preventative measures; and promote structured dialogue between national and local governments, law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities and sports organisations. UEFA is using the Brussels platform to highlight its own widespread activities in this field.

President's idea
"At the beginning of the year I came to Brussels and in the presence of President [José Manuel] Barroso, I denounced the evils that were menacing and continue to menace European sport," said Mr Platini. "In February, somewhat provocatively, I launched the idea of a European police force for sport – but slowly my idea has taken off.

Social problem
"Violence is a problem of society and as football is at the centre of our social lives, it is unfortunately common that the perpetrators of violence seek to take over a game as visible and popular as football," added Mr Platini. "We must therefore act to protect sport and to give judges the means to enforce the law. UEFA already encourages partnerships between national associations, clubs and national police. Now sporting organisations, governments and the public forces of law and order must also co-operate."

'Destructive and counter-productive'
Vice-president Franco Frattini, commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, explained the significance of the event: "Violence in sport is clearly destructive and counter-productive. We must strengthen our efforts to prevent violence. But on its own, no country can find the best solutions for tackling hooliganism and violence in sport. The European Commission has a key role to play in that it can facilitate the active involvement of law enforcement services, judicial authorities, sports federations, supporters' organisations and other stakeholders so that ultimately we can all enjoy sport peacefully."

Tangible progress
Mr Figel', the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, including sport, continued: "Sport is an activity that benefits our health, but it also has an important societal and economic role, because it can strengthen social links and act as a catalyst for social integration. Sport can also mobilise the best and the worst in people. We must see how we can help sport fully develop its positive potential, while curbing those negative activities that spoil its beneficial impacts, such as violence. I am glad that with our action plan, and today's conference, we can make tangible progress to prevent and reduce any kind of violence in sport."