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This action plan aimed at greater security during matches will take effect from next season.

This Thursday, the Pro League, the Belgian Football Union and the SPF Interior presented their action plan « Together for safe football » in Mechelen. The aim of this new plan: « to guarantee that football matches can take place in safe and pleasant conditions ».

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Here is the press release:

The Pro League, the Belgian Football Federation, the SPF Interior and the Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden today presented the Together for Safe Football action plan. This action plan, which was created at the request of the Minister, is the result of collaboration with the police and professional clubs. It aims to ensure that football matches can take place in safe and enjoyable conditions.

In Belgium, as abroad, the number of incidents in and around football stadiums is increasing. Some supporters pretend to create atmosphere, but ultimately spoil it for the majority of spectators, and thus damage the image of football.

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Following various regrettable incidents, Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden called for a reassessment of security policy inside and outside football stadiums. It is essential to be more severe in the face of unacceptable actions to change mentalities and put an end to the inappropriate behavior of some individuals. With the action plan, all parties concerned commit to acting together. By joining forces for a safe football experience.

“The new approach is based on three basic principles: to increase the chances of being arrested in the event of an infringement, to apply and follow up on sanctions more quickly as well as to implement a uniform approach to incidents in all stadiums. To achieve this, all players in the world of football must take their responsibilities, so I am delighted that all partners are joining forces to ensure that football matches can take place in the safest and most pleasant conditions », declares the Minister of Interior Annelies Verlinden.

« Security is a top priority for the Pro League and its clubs. If we want to develop football and welcome new fans to our stadiums, a safe match experience is the starting point. Together with the clubs, we take our responsibilities , in consultation with the Minister, the RBFA, the security services but of course also with the supporters. For example, in collaboration with the supporters, we are examining whether we can launch a pilot project concerning the safe and regulated use of gear pyrotechnic », says Lorin ParysCEO of the Pro League.

“But we will also be tough on those who put others at risk. Thus, we plan uniform and severe sanctions which go up to a lifetime stadium ban for repeat offenders. In addition, we will focus on strengthening control access with nominative tickets, investments in infrastructure and technology and rapid application. From now on, we will decide externally on civil exclusions and do so within 25 working days, including appeals », confirms Parys.

« Fans want to attend football matches in a safe atmosphere. All the protagonists of the game of football now come together around this objective. This unity is important. The authorities, the clubs, the Pro League and the Belgian Football Federation are continuing the same ambition: to ban violence, racism, discrimination and pyrotechnics from our stadiums. This is everyone’s individual responsibility, but the cooperation of all parties is just as crucial », adds Peter Bossaert, CEO of the Belgian Football Federation.

The action plan is based on five pillars and proposes concrete actions and clear responsibilities for the actors concerned:

  • outreach and communication;
  • infrastructure and technology;
  • means of action / organizational framework;
  • law application ;
  • investment in security personnel.

The action plan will take effect next season. »

This action plan is available in pdf on the Pro League website.


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