Recommendations & Conclusions
8 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 …
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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 seen in Paris last year. This chaos suggests that current approaches to ensuring UK fan safety at these high-profile events are not working.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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- …
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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- social behaviour, but we are also aware that this behaviour at sporting events is not unique to football and there are legitimate concerns that other sporting events are at risk of becoming unwelcoming environments as a result. We welcome that the Government has accepted a need for the review of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, which, alongside a responsible alcohol sale pilot scheme, provides an opportunity for comprehensive evidence gathering.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 Spectators (Relevant Offences) Regulations 2022 in deterring drug use at matches.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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
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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
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Government response AI summary
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 next edition of the Green …
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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 …
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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 events allow for the better treatment of stewards, including an appropriate wage for the demanding and often stressful job it can be, both as a reward for the work they do and to encourage recruitment and retention of experience stewards. We welcome that some sports, such as cricket and horseracing appear to be recognising this need.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 that have been previously disregarded.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 any significant expansion. Further pilots and expansion should only go ahead with the continued consultation and cooperation with the SGSA, who may wish to amend the implementation criteria for safe-standing at larger-scale events. Mindful of the potential risks of safe standing, any expansion requires comprehensive stewarding plan for stadia staff to understand their role in managing the behaviour of crowds who may be more ‘raucous’ in a standing area.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport