7. SECURITY

7.1 SAFETY AND SECURITY MATTERS
The commissioner shall emphasise the following points for high-risk matches at the official meeting. The commissioner should use his discretion as to which of the various items need to be discussed for normal-risk matches.

Matches may only be played in all-seater stadia. If only stadia with both seating and standing areas are available, the standing space must remain vacant.

1. Establish good relations and co-ordination with the security forces.

2. Verify the capacity of the stadium (number of seats) and the estimated attendance.

3. Visiting supporters: How many expected? How many tickets have been allocated to them? Will foreign supporters be able to understand direction signs in and around the stadium? Travelling arrangements known? Parking strategy for buses and cars (segregated from home supporters)? Arrangements at airport for arrival and departure? Dispersal arrangements after match?

4. Supervision of the sale of tickets (keeping spectator groups apart, police protection).

5. Counterfeit tickets: Is the demand for tickets such that there could be a danger of counterfeit tickets coming into circulation? Are the authorities prepared for the late emergence of forged tickets?

6. Check safety measures in and outside the stadium; the need for the presence of adequate security forces on duty before, during and after the match (the security officers inside the stadium must be immediately identifiable as such);

7. One or two police cordons around the stadium (as the first step to control and channel spectators).

8. Details of entry procedures; personal inspection of each spectator upon entering the stadium: confiscation of weapons, flags, fireworks, bottles, etc.

9. No kick-off until the situation outside the stadium and in the stands is under control.

10. Amenities in the stadia: individually numbered seats, easy access to refreshment stalls, public conveniences, medical and first-aid facilities, stand-by forces etc.

11. Searching spectators: who will be responsible?;

12. All stadium exit doors and gates in the fence around the pitch shall always remain unlocked and each be permanently manned by a steward;

13. Emergency evacuation arrangements;

14. Advertising boards must be placed in such a way that they do not obstruct the opening of safety gates and do not represent a danger to the players;

15. Spectators and all other unauthorised persons, such as media representatives, must be barred from entering the stadium enclosure;

16. Anyone authorised to enter the stadium enclosure, such as ballboys/ballgirls, photographers, etc. must be pre vailed upon to behave correctly and refrain from trespassing onto the field;

17. Letting off fireworks of any kind is strictly prohibited; organisers should be discouraged from using fireworks in the stadium during ceremonies;

18. The sale of alcohol and the distribution of any drinks to the public in bottles or tins are strictly prohibited;

19. Are the local authorities satisfied with the fire precautions?

20. The organisers shall designate a person for the commissioner to contact if emergency announcements have to be made over the stadium loudspeaker;

21. Are loudspeaker announcers available in the required languages (home and visiting teams' etc.)?

22. Are the security measures for the visiting team's arrival at and departure from the stadium adequate?

23. Do the commissioners, referees, assistant referees and teams need a police escort (on match days, for training sessions, etc.)?

24. Crisis group: agree on the formation of a small crisis group to meet in the event of a major crisis (e.g. police commander, fire chief, medical chief, stadium manager, one representative from each team, commissioner, FIFA security officer, media officer) and on a central meeting point in the case of an emergency.

Important and essential final questions on safety/security matters: are the security, fire and medical authorities all perfectly satisfied with the match preparations - or is there anything which FIFA and/or the organising national association or the stadium directors should do which has not yet been done?

These questions must be asked and the responses noted.

7.2 DUTIES OF THE SECURITY OFFICER
For any match considered a high risk, FIFA will appoint a security officer. FIFA alone is responsible for taking such a decision and it is final. The security officer shall be under the authority of the commissioner for the entire duration of his assignment (see 7.1. regarding the duties of the security officer).

FIFA Home Page | FIFA Handbook