Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (CETS No. 218) (Saint-Denis, 3.VII.2016)

The member States of the Council of Europe and the other States Parties to the European Cultural Convention (ETS No. 18), signatories hereto,

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity among its members;

Concerned with the right to physical integrity and the legitimate expectation of individuals to attend football matches and other sports events without fear of violence, public disorder or other criminal activity;

Concerned to make football matches and other sports events enjoyable and welcoming for all citizens while also recognising that creating a welcoming environment can have a significant and positive impact on safety and security at such events;

Concerned with the need to promote the inclusion of all stakeholders in providing a safe environment at football matches and other sports events;

Concerned with the need to maintain the rule of law in and within the vicinity of football and other sports stadiums, on transit routes to and from the stadiums and in other areas frequented by many thousands of spectators;

Recognising that sport, and all agencies and stakeholders involved in organising and managing a football match or other sports event, must uphold core values of the Council of Europe, such as social cohesion, tolerance, respect and non-discrimination;

Recognising variations among States regarding their constitutional, judicial, cultural and historical circumstances, and the character and severity of safety and security problems associated with football matches and other sports events;

Recognising the need to take full account of national and international legislation on matters such as data protection, rehabilitation of offenders and human rights;

Recognising that a wide range of public and private agencies and other stakeholders, including spectators, have a shared objective in making football matches and other sports events safe, secure and welcoming for individuals and recognising that their collective actions will necessarily comprise a range of interrelated and overlapping measures;

Recognising that the overlapping character of these measures requires the relevant agencies to develop effective international, national and local partnerships in order to prepare and deliver an integrated and balanced multi-agency approach to safety, security and service in connection with football matches and other sports events;

Recognising that events outside of sports stadiums can have a direct impact on events inside the stadiums and vice versa;

Recognising that consultation with key stakeholders, especially supporters and local communities, can assist the relevant agencies in reducing the risks to safety and security and in creating a welcoming atmosphere inside and outside of stadiums;

Being resolved to take common and co-operative action to reduce the risks to safety and security at football matches and other sports events in order to provide an enjoyable experience for spectators, participants and local communities;

Building upon the content of the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches (ETS No. 120), opened for signature in Strasbourg on 19 August 1985 (hereafter "Convention No. 120");

Taking into account that extensive European experience and good practices has resulted in the development of a new integrated and partnership approach towards the safety and security of spectators, reflected in particular in the Recommendation Rec (2015) 1 on Safety, Security and Service at Football Matches, and other Sports Events, adopted by the Standing Committee of the Convention No. 120 at its 40th meeting on 18 June 2015,

Have agreed as follows: