Football Spectator Violence (Hansard, 5 July 1985)

§ Mr. Macfarlane

I represented the United Kingdom at an informal meeting of Ministers responsible for sport convened on Thursday 27 June by the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. We agreed on a European convention on violence and misbehaviour at sports events, and in particular at football matches, and invited the committee of Ministers to adopt and open for signature the convention at the earliest opportunity with a view to its coming in force in time for the next round of European 279W football matches. We also requested all governments entitled to do so to become parties to the convention as soon as possible.

I hope that the convention will be adopted and opened for signature by the committee of Ministers later this month. A copy of the authenticated version of the convention will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as it is available. When in force, contracting parties will be obliged to: co-ordinate the policies and actions of their government departments and other public agencies against spectator violence and misbehaviour; ensure that adequate public order resources are employed to counter outbreaks of violence and misbehaviour, near and inside grounds, and also along transit route used by spectators; and facilitate co-operation and exchange of information between police forces of different localities; seek to ensure that offenders (especially visiting supporters) are identified and prosecuted and that they receive appropriate penalties; introduce procedures to identify problem matches in advance, and for effective co-operation between authorities and clubs on precautions and measures to be taken; encourage the co-ordination of travel arrangements to inhibit potential troublemakers from leaving to attend matches; encourage the use of stewards and supporters' clubs for crowd control and information; press football and local authorities, stadium owners and clubs to take the necessary practical measures for problem matches, eg in the design, improvement and selection of stadia, segregation, alcohol control, ticket sales and the exclusion of drunks and troublemakers; encourage football authorities to review their regulations continuously; looking further ahead, take social and educational measures to promote the more positive side of sport, eg fair play and active participation; establish a standing committee to police the operation of the convention and propose improvements.

We also agreed to propose to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) that they should introduce binding requirements, both for the use of stadia and the organisation of matches held under their auspices having regard to the provisions of the proposed convention. An official working group of the Council of Europe is to hold discussions with UEFA to prepare a draft memorandum of understanding which would give effect to these proposals. The group will report back as soon as possible to a future meeting of European sports Ministers.