FSGC attends UEFA Safety & Security Conference in Madrid

As every year, a wide range of topics were addressed at the UEFA Safety & Security Conference, held in Madrid on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September, with a San Marino delegation also in attendance.

Representing the San Marino Football Federation were Michele Raschi, NA Safety & Security Officer, and Andrea Zoppis, NA Supporters’ Liaison Officer, accompanied by Captain Gabriele Gatti and Marshal Gianluca Menicucci of the Gendarmerie Corps.

Tuesday’s programme was divided into two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning featured a plenary session in which four panels of experts and professionals shared experiences and operational approaches in the context of UEFA competitions.

Among the issues discussed, particular attention was given to the management of travelling supporters, with the aim of ensuring well-organised, timely reception from arrival at the airport or train station through to departure after the match. Closely linked to this was the theme of coordination between public and private bodies, essential to guaranteeing effective event management along the entire route to the stadium.

The conference also offered an analysis of the types of incidents recorded during international matches, both in club competitions and national team fixtures, examining how these have evolved over the past five years.

Two case studies on clubs involved in European competitions were also examined, including Bologna FC and Crystal Palace.

Towards the end of the morning, an overview of the new safety regulations was presented, together with an outline of upcoming health and medical standards for spectators in stadiums, and a survey of the possibility, under specific rules and regulations, of introducing sections of the stands where spectators may watch the game standing, instead of in allocated seats.

It also emerged that communication is among the most effective tools for proper event management. Having precise, timely and shared information available to all stakeholders helps prevent the most serious problems and also enables a rapid response to unforeseen events and incidents, generally leading to positive outcomes.

Tuesday afternoon was devoted to meetings and information exchange concerning club competitions, similar to Wednesday’s programme, during which the San Marino delegation focused more closely on meetings related to the UEFA Nations League. On Wednesday morning the San Marino representatives met with the delegations of Albania, Belarus and Finland with the aim of planning and organising the upcoming Nations League fixtures as effectively as possible.

The issues addressed all aim to support the development of a system that allows international football events to take place in safe, secure and calm environments, from information on supporters to the organisation of activities around the match, through to the management of the stadium before, during and after the event.