Is security at European away matches declining?
A BBC Sport investigation has revealed a decline in safety for football fans during European away trips. These include negative experiences such as aggressive policing, crowding in stadiums, and inconveniences for fans with disabilities.
Football fans across the country dream of traveling to Europe to support their club, where they face the continent's best teams with their friends and family. However, there have been a number of security incidents at European away matches in recent years, putting fans' safety at risk.
The 2022 Champions League final was turned into a "near mass death disaster" due to poor management by UEFA and French authorities. Following this, fans of Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle strongly criticized the policing and security measures during matches in Istanbul, Lyon and Marseille respectively.
Earlier this season, fans were also prevented from attending some away matches due to "extremely worrying" security trends, which some consider to be worsening. Common issues reported by fans are as follows:
- Excessively aggressive policing
- Crowd at entry and exit from the stadium* Lack of toilets
- Invasive body search
- Seizure of goods like power banks and medicines
So, is the security situation really deteriorating at some of the sport's most prestigious matches?
'Life is in danger'
"The situation is definitely worsening in some countries, such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands," said Ronen Avein, executive director of Football Supporters Europe (FSE). "Things are not improving in some countries and clubs and have shown that they cannot host games under acceptable conditions."
Security arrangements for European matches are developed by a joint effort of host clubs, national governments, local authorities and regional police forces.
##Reality of European Away Matches
BBC Sport asked experienced European away travelers how English clubs traveled to past Champions League and Europa League matches.Gemma Mains, 44, Chelsea fan, Naples, Italy: "We didn't arrive in Naples until midday because of the aggressiveness of the fans there. We were detained for over an hour after the match."
Jude Aston, 21, Aston Villa fan, Istanbul, Türkiye: "I'm a wheelchair user, and we had to sit in a cage in front of the away end."
Jane Boland, 61, Liverpool fan, Marseille, France: "Riot police made it very difficult to enter and leave the stadium."
'This is an attack on dignity'
There have been a number of negative experiences that violate UEFA's own rules and guidelines for the safety of fans.
Due to lack of special facilities for the disabled, they have to face difficulties.
What does UEFA say?BBC Sport asked UEFA questions on the issues raised by fans. "We have strengthened important partnerships for safety and security in recent years," UEFA said.
'Deeply concerned by lack of reforms'
Fans generally reported that problems with the organization and officials often outweighed adverse fan behavior.
A report largely blamed UEFA and made several recommendations to improve fan safety.
Despite this, according to UEFA, "all stakeholders have expressed a strong commitment to close cooperation in the search for long-term solutions."