Fan Safety at European Football Matches: A Growing Concern
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Concerns Over fan safety and Experience in European Football
Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe (FSE), has raised alarming concerns regarding the treatment of football fans across Europe. “There are definitely countries where the situation is deteriorating, like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands,” he stated, inviting travelling fans to share their experiences through a survey after each round of European fixtures.
Key Highlights
- Countries like Germany and Belgium show declining conditions for fans.
- Major tourist destinations treat football supporters as second-class citizens.
- Policing strategies vary significantly from country to country.
- Fan safety continues to be a pressing concern as standards decline.
Evain noted that some countries and clubs have consistently failed to demonstrate their capability to host matches under acceptable conditions. He specifically criticized France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, stating they are major tourist destinations yet treat football fans as “a threat or second-tier citizen.”
Security arrangements for European matches are crafted through collaboration among host clubs, national governments, local authorities, and regional police forces, with input from UEFA, which oversees the competitions. The treatment of fans can fluctuate dramatically based on various factors, including local policies, home fan behavior, and the specific context of the game.
Evain pointed out the indignities some fans face, such as being forced to enter stadiums hours before kickoff and having personal items confiscated. “These things are rarely necessary and either reflect outdated practices or serve as a method for police to exert social control,” he added. He further highlighted the danger of pushing thousands of fans through overly narrow gates, suggesting that policing strategies and infrastructural failures are putting lives at risk. “It just takes a few people to panic for things to go really wrong,” Evain warned.
In conversations with fans who traveled to various European matches, BBC Sport gathered firsthand accounts of their experiences. Gemma Manns, a 44-year-old Chelsea supporter, shared her experience in Naples, Italy. She mentioned that they avoided arriving early due to Napoli fans’ notorious reputation for hostility. “We didn’t see any trouble around the ground, but once we left, the police seemed to disappear, and we felt vulnerable,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jude Aston, a 21-year-old Aston Villa fan, expressed frustration over the treatment of wheelchair users in Istanbul. “We were kept inside a cage, which felt claustrophobic and unsafe,” he recounted. Jane Boland, a Liverpool fan in Marseille, described a nightmare experience of overcrowding that left her in pain for days.
On the other hand, some supporters, like Luke Stanley, a Manchester City fan in Bodo, Norway, had a positive experience. “Everyone was friendly, and entry was as easy as it could have been,” he remarked, although he noted the lack of facilities. This inconsistency in experiences raises questions about the overall treatment football fans receive across Europe.
So, what is causing this decline in standards? Evain suggests that the current political climate in Europe exacerbates issues of police accountability, making football fans easy targets. He emphasized the relative advantage British clubs have, thanks to efficient police delegations that accompany fans to away matches.
The final report into the 2022 fiasco, commissioned by UEFA, found them primarily at fault and included recommendations for improving fan safety. Clifford Stott, a professor of social psychology involved in the report, expressed his concerns: “I am deeply concerned by the lack of tangible reforms since our report. The safety and security of future events remain at risk.”
