Draft government proposal on safety at football matches and other sports events sent out for comments

The Ministry of the Interior has sent a draft government proposal concerning safety, security and service measures at football matches and other sports events out for comments. The proposal would bring into force the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events and amend the Assembly Act.

The aim of the Convention is to create a safe and secure environment and a positive atmosphere in football matches and other sports events.

According to the Convention, measures aimed at safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the participants, ensuring the smooth running of the event and creating a welcoming atmosphere must all be taken into account in organising the events. Possible tools include regulations concerning security measures and maintenance of public order and security.

The Convention aims to improve the safety of spectators by taking into account the experience gained since the entry into force of the previous Convention of 1985 and good practices concerning the organisation and safety of sports events.

In addition, the purpose is to amend the Assembly Act to ensure that certain provisions in the Convention concerning safety and emergency planning be taken into account in connection with the events referred to in the Convention.

The deadline for submitting comments is 18 January 2021. 

Inquiries
Jouko Huhtamäki, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 556, [email protected]