Survey under way in Portugal

Best practices
The aim of the project is, with the assistance of the Portuguese organisers and authorities, to learn from the manner in which EURO 2004™ has been organised. The study will also deduce the best practices to prevent violence and promote safety and protection from terrorism.

Major events
The conclusions will be incorporated into future major events such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ and the 2008 UEFA European Championship in Austria and Switzerland. This survey has been commissioned by the Daniel Nivel Foundation belonging to FIFA, UEFA and the associations of Germany, France, England, the Netherlands and Italy. Funding for the projects will be borne by the foundation and its members, as well as by Euro 2004, S.A., the body responsible for organising the tournament in Portugal

Three steps
The CRT/COT Institute in The Hague, Netherlands - which conducted a similar investigation during UEFA EURO 2000™ in the Netherlands and Belgium - has again been entrusted with the survey. The study has been split into three steps. Preparations for EURO 2004™ will be analysed on the basis of documents and papers. Visits will also take place to venues, officials and safety experts will be interviewed, and an assessment will be made into how fans were looked after. The findings will be evaluated, and an inventory will be made of the best practices. The findings from the study will be published towards the end of the year.

Priority
Preventing violence and ensuring safety are among the major priorities in organising major sporting events. World football's governing body FIFA established the foundation with the associations of Germany and France in honour of the French policeman Daniel Nivel, who was attacked by German fans and seriously injured in Lens at the 1998 World Cup in France. Meetings on methods to prevent violence are regularly held and their findings forwarded to organisers of major sporting events.