Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
First Report - Safety at major sporting events
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
HC 174
Published 29 December 2023
Recommendations
2
Accepted
Work to foster improved relationships with other governments for policing sporting events.
Recommendation
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
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Government Response Summary
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 with German counterparts for future championships.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3
Accepted
Para 30
Ensure passage of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill this parliamentary session.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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5
Deferred
Para 36
Work with football authorities on fairer distribution of policing Zone Ex costs.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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 mandatory contributions from football authorities.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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7
Accepted in Part
Work with police and sporting bodies to introduce centralised reporting for discrimination at events.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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9
Acknowledged
Para 52
Confirm timing of Sporting Events Act 1985 review and alcohol sale pilot scheme plans
Recommendation
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 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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10
Deferred
Para 53
Consult other major sporting bodies and fan groups on alcohol's role at all events
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 sporting events.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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13
Acknowledged
Para 64
Undertake police work to understand drug prevalence and deterrence effectiveness at sporting events
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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14
Acknowledged
Include guidance in Green Guide on measures to discourage drug use at sporting events
Recommendation
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 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 Guide.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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16
Accepted
Para 74
Develop and publish minimum stewarding standards in consultation with major sporting events stakeholders
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 stewards.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17
Accepted
Establish a central training fund for stewards, funded by sporting leagues' revenues
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 training fund and improved standards.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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18
Accepted
Para 86
Mandate local authorities to include diverse perspectives at Safety Advisory Groups.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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19
Acknowledged
Para 87
Update Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 to mandate wider fan perspectives in SAGs.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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21
Deferred
Encourage further safe standing pilots by willing clubs meeting stewarding and SGSA criteria.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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23
Deferred
Update SGSA Green Guide to require better accessibility and inclusion in stadium design.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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Conclusions (9)
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 19
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 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.
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 35
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 Summary
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.
6
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 39
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 Summary
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 concern about a lack of reported data.
8
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 51
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 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.
11
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 54
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 Summary
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, or the risks at smaller events.
12
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 63
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 Summary
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 at sporting events or their deterrence.
15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 73
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 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.
20
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 96
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 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.
22
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 103
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 Summary
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.