WRITTEN QUESTION P-0307/01

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 February 2001)

Subject: Violence against referees at football matches

In the Italian football league, acts of violence against referees have become an extremely serious problem, both with regard to the personal safety of the referees themselves and because they set an extremely bad example for society as a whole. As is borne out by press reports and statements made by referees' representatives, referees are increasingly being subjected to psychological pressure and actual physical threats. For instance, to take but two examples of the huge number of recent incidents, death threats were made against a referee during a Serie A match, and, at a Promozione (amateur league) match held on 3 December 2000 in San Cassiano (Lecce) in Puglia, the referee was actually threatened with a gun in the changing rooms.

Given the above, what action does the Commission intend to take, over and above the measures already provided for in such cases, with a view to at least curbing such violence. Would it not agree that special provision should be made in the relevant support programmes for measures to combat violence in sport?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2001)

Like the Honourable Member, the Commission is concerned by the phenomenon of violence in sport, particularly against referees.

In the Helsinki report on sport(1), the Commission manifested its attachment to ethical sport which could serve as a model for all who practice sport, particularly the young. It noted that violence at sporting events is unacceptable. It also emphasised the need for convergent endeavours by all the partners in the field of sport, with due respect for the principle of subsidiarity. However, as regards the issue of violence in stadiums and the protection of referees, responsibility rests primarily with the Member States in association with the organisers of sporting events, normally sports associations or federations.

Within the context of police cooperation, initiatives have been taken to combat hooliganism in football. This has led to more effective cooperation between Member States' police services. Examples include the possibility of sending police officers to another Member State in order to track supporters and cooperate with local authorities; the establishment of common standards for safety measures in countries hosting international sporting events; and Council recommendations on the prevention and control of disorder at football matches. A recent example is the Dutch-Belgian project Police Expertise Euro 2000, which evaluates the police involvement in the Euro 2000 soccer championship. It aims at drawing conclusions on how to further improve measures and cooperation for future similar events. The project was financed by the Union's OISIN programme for police and customs cooperation.

The Commission would also inform the Honourable Member that, under the aegis of the Council of Europe, the Member States of the Union cooperate within the framework of the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in Particular at Football Matches(2).

Finally, the Commission would point out that there is no specific support programme for sport.

(1) Report from the European Commission to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework Helsinki Report on Sport COM(1999) 644 of 1.12.1999.

(2) European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in Particular at Football Matches No 120 in the European Treaty Series 19 August 1985.