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
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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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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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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Conclusions (4)
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.
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.
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.