Case Studies

Soccer safety date

by Mark Rowe

Flares are on the agenda of the FSOA (Football Safety Officers Association) annual conference. Stadium safety and security managers will hear from the SGSA (Sports Grounds Safety Authority) at the event on October 16 and 17, at Crewe. Briefly, for the last couple of years, flares and smoke bombs have become a fashion at UK as at some continental football stadia; and indeed worldwide. That’s despite the risk to fans and though possession of such objects is against English and Scottish football ground regulations. The growing problem prompted Home Office minister Damian Green at the start of the Premier League season in August to ask fans not to carry or throw flares. SGSA chief executive Ruth Shaw said: “The Sports Grounds Safety Authority is concerned by the number of flares and smoke bombs being seen at football grounds. Some fans may believe they contribute to the atmosphere, but they are potentially dangerous devices that present unnecessary risks to both spectators and to the stewards who have to deal with them.”

FSOA conference organiser is the past chairman John Newsham, of Blackburn Football Club. As featured in the May issue of Professional Security, the new chairman is Sharon Cicco, of Arsenal FC. Visit www.fsoa.org.uk.

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