Select Committee · Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Safety at major sporting events

Status: Closed Opened: 8 Jul 2022 Closed: 8 Mar 2024 14 recommendations 9 conclusions 1 report

MPs are to examine issues around the safety of spectators at football matches and other major sporting events following the scenes and problems experienced by crowds at recent high-profile games. The DCMS Committee inquiry will consider whether crowd management policies at stadiums in the UK are sufficient to maintain spectator safety and what steps can …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Safety at major sporting events HC 174 29 Dec 2023 23 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
5 Recommendation First Report - Safety at major sporting… Deferred

Work with football authorities on fairer distribution of policing Zone Ex costs.

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
10 Recommendation First Report - Safety at major sporting… Deferred

Consult other major sporting bodies and fan groups on alcohol's role at all events

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

Undertake alcohol sale pilots alongside improved hate crime and antisocial behaviour reporting

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

Increasing Class A drug use at sporting events undermines accessibility; deterrents unclear

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
21 Recommendation First Report - Safety at major sporting… Deferred

Encourage further safe standing pilots by willing clubs meeting stewarding and SGSA criteria.

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 fails to adequately accommodate women and disabled fans.

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

Update SGSA Green Guide to require better accessibility and inclusion in stadium design.

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

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
14 Mar 2023 Adam Conant · Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport View ↗
19 Jan 2023 Bob Eastwood · English Football League, David Armstrong · Racecourse Association, Liam Boylan · Wembley Stadium, Phil Davies · England and Wales Cricket Board View ↗
8 Nov 2022 Chief Constable Mark Roberts · National Police Chiefs' Council, Martyn Henderson OBE · Sports Grounds Safety Authority, Michelle Russell · Security Industry Authority, Peter Houghton · Football Safety Officers Association View ↗
25 Oct 2022 Dr Stacey Pope, Kevin Miles · Football Supporters' Association, Owain Davies · Level Playing Field, Professor Clifford Stott MBE, Professor Geoff Pearson, Tony Burnett · Kick It Out View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
22 Nov 2022 To cttee Letter from Martyn Henderson OBE, Chief Executive, Sports Grounds Safety Author…