Recommendations & Conclusions
23 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
The treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 UEFA Champions League final was disgraceful, worsened by the attempts of authorities and UEFA to blame Liverpool fans. Evidence we have received suggests that the attitude of foreign police forces to UK football fans heavily contributed to the chaos …
Government response. The government acknowledged the issues by stating it is closely examining lessons from previous UEFA Champions League finals and collaborating with German counterparts to inform preparations for future events.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted
We recommend that the Government should work to foster improved relationships with other governments on policing sporting events, in order to bolster the role of British police travelling with UK teams and their collaboration with local forces. (Paragraph 20) Policing
Government response. The government detailed existing mechanisms like the National Football Information Point (NFIP) and UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) that already foster international collaboration and information sharing for policing sporting events. It also noted ongoing learning from past events and collaboration …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
3
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted
The unauthorised entry of ticketless individuals at football matches creates a risk to their safety and the safety of legitimate, paying fans. While such acts are likely already illegal, the lack of a distinct criminal penalty that includes the use of the proven deterrent of Football Banning Orders, is allowing …
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, confirming it supported the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill at its Second Reading in the House of Commons.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
4
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted
We echo calls for sporting bodies to increase their contribution to the safety of fans outside of the stadium. While direct responsibility, in line with the recommendations of the Casey Review, would require significant changes in policing and event management, increased financial contributions would not. Clubs that benefit from matchday …
Government response. The government highlights the existing National Football Information Point (NFIP) and UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) which collate and distribute intelligence to prevent football-related crime and disorder, implying current structures address fan safety.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
5
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
We recommend that the Government work with football authorities on fairer distribution the cost of policing Zone Ex. This should include consideration of mandatory contributions from leagues or clubs.
Government response. The government's response describes the function of the National Football Information Point (NFIP) and its role in intelligence sharing to prevent crime and disorder, but it does not address the recommendation regarding fairer cost distribution for policing Zone Ex or …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
6
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted in Part
We have repeatedly heard of the discrimination, anti-social behaviour and hate crime that occur at sporting events, particularly football. However, the lack of reported data on this topic makes it difficult to assess the scale of the problem, and for police and sporting bodies to tackle issues where they arise …
Government response. The government recognised the importance of data collection and outlined existing systems like True Vision for reporting hate crime. It also mentioned a developing digital portal for reporting anti-social behaviour and recent efforts to address online abuse, partially addressing the …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
7
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Government work with police and sporting bodies to introduce on a centralised system to report and record discrimination and antisocial behaviour at sporting events. (Paragraph 40) Safety at major sporting events 33 Alcohol and drug use at sporting events
Government response. The government stated it is developing a digital one-stop-shop portal for reporting anti-social behaviour, and highlighted the existing True Vision online system for reporting hate crime, partially addressing the recommendation for a centralised reporting system.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
8
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
The evidence available on the impact of alcohol on disorder at football matches and for fans travelling on chartered services does not provide a compelling case either for the status quo or for a significant relaxation of the current legislation. We acknowledge football’s historic problems with alcohol consumption and anti- …
Government response. The government acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating it will continue to engage stakeholders and keep alcohol controls under review, balancing commercial benefits with safety and disorder concerns.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
9
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
We recommend that, in its response to this report, the Government confirm the timing of its review of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 and its plans for an alcohol sale pilot scheme.
Government response. The government did not confirm the timing of its review or plans for a pilot scheme, stating it will continue to engage stakeholders and keep alcohol controls under review, balancing commercial benefits with safety concerns.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
10
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
As part of its review into the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985, we recommend that the Government should consult with representatives of other major sporting bodies and fan groups beyond football to examine the role of alcohol at all major sporting events.
Government response. The government's response discusses the inability of police forces to recover the full cost of policing football matches due to the Ipswich ruling and the need for primary legislation, rather than addressing the recommendation to consult on alcohol's role at …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
11
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
The Government’s alcohol sale pilots should be undertaken alongside our recommended improved reporting of hate crime and antisocial behaviour at matches to ensure that the impacts are fully understood before any further decisions are taken on alcohol sales. It should take note of the reduced risk of alcohol-related disorder at …
Government response. The government's response discusses the inability of police forces to recover the full cost of policing football matches and the legislative changes required for full cost recovery, which does not address the committee's conclusion about alcohol sale pilots, improved reporting, …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
12
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
The increasing use of Class A drugs at sporting events is something that police and clubs should both be taking more seriously. Although a direct link between drug use and violence has not been proven, widespread drug taking is anti-social and undermines football’s accessibility. We welcome the use of Football …
Government response. The government's response discusses the inability of police forces to recover the full cost of policing football matches and the legislative changes required for full cost recovery, which does not address the committee's conclusion regarding increasing Class A drug use …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
13
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
We recommend that further work is undertaken by the police to understand the prevalence of drug supply and possession at sporting events. Such work should take account of the arrest and Football Banning Order data following the conclusion of the 2023–24 football season and consider the effectiveness of the Football …
Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of data analysis on safety incidents and notes that a subgroup of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Safety Committee and a Working Group have met in 2023 and 2024 to discuss these issues.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
14
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
Alongside legal deterrents to drug taking at sporting events, we recommend that the Sports Ground Safety Authority includes guidance in the next edition of its Green Guide on measures to discourage drug use at sporting events. (Paragraph 65) Stewarding
Government response. The government recognizes the importance of data on safety incidents and notes that an SGSA subgroup and working group have met to discuss these issues, but it does not commit to including specific guidance on discouraging drug use in the …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
15
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
Stewards should not be seen merely as volunteers or fans who get to see the game for free. They are crucial to the safety of all sporting events and their responsibilities have grown over the years. The resources available to all major UK sports should 34 Safety at major sporting …
Government response. The government acknowledged the importance of steward training and spectator safety, outlining existing standards and a comprehensive plan by SGSA's Working Group to raise stewarding standards in football, focusing on training, professional development, and a national register.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
16
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted
Stewards, employers and fans would all benefit from clarity on the roles, responsibilities and standards for stewards. We recommend that the Sports Ground Safety Authority should develop and publish minimum expectations for stewarding standards in consultation with all those involved in major sporting events.
Government response. The government outlined existing standards and a comprehensive plan developed by the SGSA's Working Group to raise stewarding standards in football, funded by the Premier League and EFL. This plan includes improved training, professional development, and a national register for …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
17
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted
Despite efforts at self-regulation, clubs and governing bodies have failed to set and enforce coherent minimum stewarding standards, to the detriment of the experiences of stewards and the safety of attendees. We recommend that the Government and SGSA should work with sporting bodies to establish a central training fund for …
Government response. The government outlined a comprehensive, £1.5 million, three-year reform package for stewarding in football, funded by the Premier League and EFL. This package includes improved training, professional development, and a national steward register, directly addressing the call for a central …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
18
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Accepted
Safety Advisory Groups are the one major opportunity for sport stakeholders to voice their priorities and concerns for safety at events. It is wrong that any group should have its input restricted, but this too often seems to be the case. SAGs have, at best, a mixed record on seeking …
Government response. The government indicated that existing guidance from the Emergency Planning College already recommends a diverse list of stakeholders for Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs), balancing expert advice with flexibility, without mandating further inclusions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
19
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 be updated to require local authorities to include a wider variety of perspectives in Safety Advisory Groups. This should include requirements to assess the needs to existing fan groups in local areas, as well as efforts to reach demographic groups …
Government response. The government states it will continue to engage stakeholders on the issue of wider representation in Safety Advisory Groups, citing policing authorities' concerns about increased football-related arrests and disorder.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
20
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Acknowledged
Safe standing pilots have, to date, been successful with no significant evidence of the kind of dangerous behaviour that some safe standing sceptics have warned of. However, the pilots have been limited and it is prudent to expand them and gather information on the policy’s effect on larger audiences before …
Government response. The government states it will continue to engage stakeholders on the issue of safe standing, especially considering representations from policing authorities regarding increased football-related arrests and disorder post-COVID.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
21
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
As long as football clubs can prove that they have a comprehensive stewarding plan for safe standing and follow the licenced standing criteria from the SGSA, we recommend that further pilots by willing clubs should be encouraged. (Paragraph 97) Safety at major sporting events 35
Government response. The government's response details the November 2022 addition of Class A drug offences to the Football Banning Order regime and explains the purpose of FBOs, completely failing to address the recommendation regarding safe standing pilots.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
22
Conclusion
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
Poor stadium design raises fundamental issues around equality, diversity and inclusion that are not being fulfilled to an acceptable level by the design of spaces intended for use by fans. Being unable to accommodate women and disabled fans in an appropriate way sends the message that they are not welcome …
Government response. The government's response is irrelevant to the committee's conclusion on stadium design and accessibility for women and disabled fans, discussing drug offences and Football Banning Orders instead.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
23
Recommendation
First Report - Safety at major sporting…
Deferred
The Sports Ground Safety Authority, as the safety regulator of sports grounds in the UK, must do more promote the widening of accessibility and inclusion in stadium design. The SGSA’s current Green Guide, does not fairly promote accessibility and inclusion for all sports fans and the fundamental changes required should …
Government response. The government stated that any changes to the Green Guide or its update schedule, including promoting accessibility in stadium design, are matters for the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA).
Department for Culture, Media and Sport