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

 The committee adopted the report by Giusto CATANIA (GUE/NGL, IT) approving the proposed Council decision on security in connection with football matches with an international dimension. It adopted two amendments under the consultation procedure:

- personal data collected by national football information points on high-risk supporters should be handled exclusively in connection with football matches and should not be used for any other activities;

- personal data should be exchanged in accordance with the domestic and international laws applicable, taking account of the principles laid down in the Council of Europe's 1981 Convention on the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data and - as appropriate - its 1987 Recommendation regulating the use of personal data in the police sector. Such exchanges would be for the purpose of  "preparing and taking the appropriate measures to maintain law and order when a football event takes place", and could involve details of individuals  "actually or potentially posing a threat to law and order and security".