Kicking violence out of sport: UEFA and EU host high-level conference against violence in sport
The European Commission, jointly with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council, the European Parliament and in
association with UEFA, is holding a high-level conference entitled, "Towards a European Union Strategy against violence
in sport" on 28 and 29 November 2007 in Brussels.
The distinguished participants include European Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini, European Commissioner Ján
Figel', high ranking representatives from the Member States, members of the European Parliament, the Deputy Secretary
General of the Council of Europe, and the UEFA President, Michel Platini.
The Commission Action Plan for Sport, named the Pierre de Coubertin Plan in honour of the Frenchman who founded the
International Olympic Committee, was adopted in summer 2007 as part of the Commission's White Paper on Sport. The
high-level conference is one of the first actions in the Plan.
The conference is bringing together a range of practical experience from more than 150 delegates from EU Member States.
It aims at delivering a multi-disciplinary approach to the fight against violence in sport, and promoting day-to-day
cooperation between all the stakeholders. The conference will send an important signal about the political commitment of
all relevant European institutions and the Member States to combating violence in sport. The conference conclusions will
focus on specific actions with the aim of building up a more structured dialogue between all stakeholders, including
national and local governments, law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities and sport organisations.
Vice President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, explained the significance
of the event: "Violence in sport is clearly destructive and counter-productive. We must strengthen our efforts to
prevent violence in particular as risk supporters can and do exploit variations in policing, judicial and instadia
safety and security arrangements. But on its own, no country can find the best solutions for tackling hooliganism and
violence in sport. The European Commission has a key role to play in that it can facilitate the active involvement of
law enforcement services, judicial authorities, sports federations, supporters organisations and other stakeholders so
that ultimately we can all enjoy sport peacefully. "
Mr Ján Figel', the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, including sport, continued: "Sport
is an activity that benefits our health, but it also has an important societal and economic role, because it can
strengthen social links and act as a catalyst for social integration. Sport can also mobilise the best and the worst in
people. We must see how we can help sport fully develop its positive potential, while curbing those negative activities
that spoil its beneficial impacts, such as violence. I am glad that with our Action Plan, and today's Conference, we can
make tangible progress to prevent and reduce any kind of violence in sport."
UEFA President, Michel Platini, said: "At the beginning of the year I came to Brussels and in the presence of President
Barroso, I denounced the evils that were menacing and continue to menace European sport. In February, somewhat
provocatively, I launched the idea of a European police force for sport, but slowly my idea has taken of"f.
"Violence is a problem of society and as football is at the centre of our social lives, it is unfortunately common that
the perpetrators of violence seek to take over a game as visible and popular as football. We must therefore act to
protect sport and to give judges the means to enforce the law. UEFA already encourages partnerships between national
associations, clubs and national police. Now sporting organisations, governments and the public forces of law and order
must also co-operate."
ENDS