COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 9 June 1997 on preventing and restraining football hooliganism through the exchange of experience, exclusion from stadiums and media policy (97/C 193/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Bearing in mind that, pursuant to Article K.1 (9) of the Treaty on European Union, police cooperation is seen by the Member States as a matter of common interest;

Considering the fact that, in its recommendation of 22 April 1996 (1), the Council laid down guidelines for preventing and containing disorder connected with football matches;

Considering the fact that the Council has adopted a joint action relating to cooperation between police forces at events, taken in a broad sense (2);

Considering the fact that the conclusions and recommendations arising from the seminar on football hooliganism held in Amsterdam on 19 and 20 March 1997 stress that greater cooperation between police forces on specific issues in preventing and containing disorder connected with football matches is necessary;

Considering the fact that stadium exclusions by those countries using them are found to be effective in preventing and containing disorder connected with national football matches and, in some Member States, have been imposed by football clubs under civil law and, in other Member States, by law-enforcement bodies under public law;

Considering the fact that it is up to the Member States to determine whether, and if so on what basis, stadium exclusions are to be imposed, and that it is desirable that a stadium exclusion imposed in one Member State should be upheld for European football matches in the other Member States;

Considering the fact that, in conjunction with increasing mobility and communication methods, there is a need for better understanding of international developments relating to football hooliganism;

Considering the fact that a good media strategy and regular exchanges of knowledge and experience between experts help to contain and control disorder at football matches,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RESOLUTION:

1. The responsible Ministers invite their national sports associations to examine, in accordance with national law, how stadium exclusions imposed under civil law could also apply to football matches in a European context.

2. It is desirable that a situation report should be compiled annually, which would show the situation in the Member States concerned regarding football hooliganism and any relevant developments in tackling the problem. In this regard, special attention shall be given to international networks of supporters' groups concerned.

3. It is desirable that a checklist of media policy be drawn up for use by police authorities in the countries concerned, with recommendations for a media strategy relating to international football matches, notably championships.

4. It is desirable that there should be an annual meeting of experts to exchange relevant experience, consolidate contacts and prepare a situation report.

5. The Council asks the Member States to see that the results of the survey and the actions taken at national level pursuant to the aforementioned points are discussed in the framework of the Council and issue a report to the Council at the latest in the first six months of 1998 accompanied, if by suitable initiatives for the adoption, by the Council, of a joint action.

(1) OJ No C 131, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1.

(2) OJ No L 147, 5. 6. 1997, p. 1.