The aim of the Convention is to create a safe, secure and welcoming environment at football matches and other sports events. The central idea of the Convention is that safety, security and service measures cannot be considered as separate factors, but each element directly affects the realisation of the other two.
The spirit of the Convention is to move from a previous approach focused on preventing violence towards warm-spirited and safe match and competition events, and to take into account good practices in developing an integrated approach to safety, security and services.
Co-operation of all stakeholders
The Convention recommends co-operation between all public and private stakeholders to ensure that sports events are safe and enjoyable. This also concerns local communities, as well as spectators and supporters, as events outside sports stadiums can also have a direct impact on events in stadiums and vice versa. Various public authorities and private operators, as well as other stakeholders, including spectators, need to be aware that their collective actions inevitably involve a variety of interrelated and overlapping measures. The overlapping measures require the relevant stakeholders to develop effective international, national and local partnerships in order to formulate and implement an integrated and balanced multi-operator approach to safety, security and services in connection with football matches and other sports events.
Operators should pay attention to the legitimate expectation of individuals to be able to take part in football matches and other sports events without fear of violence, disturbance of public order or other criminal activity. Football matches and other sports events should be made pleasant and welcoming for all citizens. Sports organisations and other operators and stakeholders involved in their organisation and management must uphold the core values of the Council of Europe, including social cohesion, tolerance, respect and non-discrimination.
All stakeholders need to be aware of the different constitutional, judicial, cultural and historical circumstances in each country, as well as the nature and seriousness of the safety and security problems associated with football matches and other sports events. In accordance with the principle of legality, full account must also be taken of national and international law pertaining to data protection, rehabilitation of offenders and human rights, for example.
Extensive European experience and good practices have led to the development of a new integrated and partnership-based approach to spectator safety and security.
