The Convention is aimed at enhancing international cooperation to provide security at football matches and other sports events, and to decrease the probability of violence or civil disorder among citizens or groups of citizens.
The European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events, particularly football matches (hereinafter referred to as the 1985 Convention), ratified by the USSR in 1991 is currently in effect. Over the past 30 years, national and global violence and extremism prevention systems in various sports, including football, have been instituted. In this context, it is necessary to update the 1985 Convention to expand violence regulations beyond stadiums and single matches and provide for the comprehensive regulation of personal security and services.
The signed resolution approves the proposal to sign the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (hereinafter referred to as Convention).
The aim of the Convention is to improve international cooperation to provide security at football matches and other sports events, and decrease the probability of violence or civil disorder among citizens or groups of citizens.
The Convention envisages internal coordination measures in the Council of Europe member states; differentiation of the measures taken by the parties (safety, security and services at sports stadiums, public places, in force-majeure circumstances); adoption of law enforcement strategies and measures to maintain law and order; prevention and response to misconduct; the establishment of a national football information unit in the law enforcement system for international cooperation; fulfilment of states’ commitments to authorise judicial and administrative bodies to impose sanctions against individuals who are liable or who participate in wrongdoing and/or misconduct, including the right to impose restrictions on attending football events in other countries.
The Convention envisages creating a Committee on Safety and Security at Sports Events.
Signing the Convention will enable Russia to take part in setting key objectives of global policy to provide an integrated safety, security and service approach at football matches and other sports events.
