Online tool unveiled in Warsaw

Europe's stadium and security stakeholders have been provided with an innovative new online tool with which to swap information and advice, and share good practices and lessons learned in the crucial area of ensuring safety at football matches. The Stadium and Security Expert Tool (SSET) was unveiled at the UEFA-EU Stadium and Security Conference in Warsaw on Thursday.

The tool has been initiated by UEFA, the Council of Europe and the EU Pan-European Football Safety and Security Think Tank. It is designed to help support stadium, safety and security management for UEFA's European competitions. SSET is available to the European football family and public authorities, and is the most comprehensive database available on stadium and security matters within European football.

SSET Online allows easy access to organised expertise, guidance and good practice at the click of a mouse through a variety of videos, documents, presentations, images and audio sources relevant to football safety and security management. Compiled by experts, users can upload their own material, and are being invited to contribute stories and cases, convey tips, share vital information and glean the best available knowledge anywhere, anytime and on any topic.

SSET Online supports social communities in which good practice at European venues can be constantly updated by users themselves. Users are being encouraged to create groups and share topics and multimedia items. The theme of the Warsaw conference has been 'Working together' and, appropriately, safety and security stakeholders are being encouraged to work together through the new online tool.

The tool has various areas – these include Stadium and Security, covering match operations and operational activities, venue infrastructures, partner coordination and communication mechanisms, and stadium and security policies and strategies; Stadium Management, covering how to run venues that are safe, profitable and sustainable; an Incident Viewer featuring incident playlists covering over 20 incident categories; and a 'collections' area where users can create their own collection of topics and items.

SSET Online is open to members of the UEFA football family, such as those working for national associations, representatives of local authorities and/or police and emergency services involved in hosting European matches, as well as representatives of clubs and venues that host European football in any capacity.

More than 300 delegates in Warsaw saw a conference with a difference, at which the setting truly reflected UEFA's philosophy of 'football first' and put the delegates in a positive footballing mood. The meeting hall was set up to resemble a football stadium with rows of seats, a pitch from where the speakers gave their presentations and advertising boards which, in particular, displayed the word Respect – a key word which is at the heart of UEFA's many activities which seek to guarantee European football's wellbeing.

The gathering in the Polish capital featured speeches by UEFA Stadium and Security Committee chairman Grigoriy Surkis, and Elvinas Jankievicius, vice-minister of the interior of Lithuania – current holders of the European Union presidency – and featured a clear message.

No single agency can succeed in isolation in addressing the stadium and security issues of the present day – national associations, clubs, public authorities and police are being urged to work together alongside UEFA and its pan-European partners to develop cohesive approaches. It is also felt that supporters must be part of the dialogue and solutions. An integrated partnership approach is needed to ensure that football matches, especially those organised by UEFA, can take place in a safe, secure and welcoming atmosphere.