Security in connection with football matches with an international dimension. Initiative Belgium

PURPOSE : to improve security in connection with football matches with an international dimesion. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 2002/348/JHA concerning security in connection with football matches with an international dimension. CONTENT : to recall, as a result of various international and European competitions and large numbers of travelling supporters, football is becoming highly international in scale. That international scale makes it necessary to approach security in connection with football matches in a way extending beyond national borders. Football should be regarded not just as a potential source of problems regarding breaches of law and order or security but as an event which, in spite of the possible risk, has to be handled efficiently. In particular for the purpose of preventing and combating football-related violence, it is important to exchange information, so that the competent police authorities and the authorities in the Member States, can make proper preparations and provide an appropriate response. For exchange of information in relation to a football event and with a view to the necessary international police cooperation in connection with football matches with an international dimension, this Decision establishes national football information pints. It stipulates that each Member States shall set up or designate a national football information point of a police nature. The national football information points shall act as the direct, central contact point for exchanging relevant information and for facilitating international police cooperation in connection with football matches with an international dimension. National football information points shall be responsible for coordinating and facilitating police information exchange in connection with football matches with an international dimension. Such information exchange may also involve other law enforcement authorities contributing to security or law and order in accordance with the distribution of powers in the Member State concerned. National football information points shall, in accordance with the domestic and international rules applicable, have access to information involving personal data on high-risk supporters. National football information points shall facilitate, coordinate or organise the implementation of international police cooperation in connection with football matches with an international dimension. In accordance with existing national provisions, in particular the allocation of powers among the different services and authorities in the Member States concerned, national football information points could be responsible for providing assistance to the competent national authorities. For matches with an international dimension, national football information points shall provide, at least at the request of another football information point in a Member State concerned, a risk assessment of their own country's clubs and national team. Before, during and after a football event with an international dimension, national football information points shall engage, at the request of a national football information point concerned or on its own initiative, in mutual exchange of general information and personal data. The general information exchanged in connection with a footballmatch with an international dimension shall comprise strategic, operational and tactical information. Such information shall be defined as follows: - strategic information: information specifying all aspects of the event, with particular reference to security risks involved in it; - operational information: information providing an accurate picture of proceedings in the course of the event; - tactical information: information enabling those in charge of operations to take appropriate action for the purposes of maintaining order and security in connection with the event. Personal data shall be exchanged in accordance with the domestic and international rules applicable. With regard to the procedure for communication between national football information points, handling of information on football matches with an international dimension shall be coordinated by way of national football information points. They shall ensure that all the police services concerned receive the necessary information in time. After processing, information shall either be used by a national football information point itself or be passed on to the relevant authorities and police forces. The national football information point in the Member State hosting a football event shall communicate, before, during and after the competition or match, with the national police force(s) of the Member States concerned, where appropriate via the liaison officer(s) appointed and supplied by such Member States. Liaison officers may be contacted in the subject areas of law and order and security, football-related violence and ordinary crime, where it is connected with a particular football match or tournament. National football information points shall communicate in such a way as to preserve the confidentiality of data. Provided that personal data are not concerned, reports exchanged shall be kept on record. They may be consulted subsequently by other interested national information points, on condition that the national football information point from which the information originates is offered the possibility in advance of taking a position on the delivery. In addition, national football information points shall each communicate in their own language, with a translation in a working language common to both sides, save as otherwise arranged between the parties concerned. Lastly, concerning the evaluation of this Decision, it is stated that the Council shall evaluate the implementation of this Decision within two years of its adoption. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 09/05/02.�