The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) organised the latest in a series of SLO workshops at the Hualing Hotel in Tbilisi on 1 August.
In presence of key stakeholders, including GFF vice-president Nika Jgarkava, other GFF officials, club directors, SLOs and safety officers, as well as government and police representatives, SD Europe/UEFA SLO project coordinator Stuart Dykes held presentations on the role of the SLO and the benefits of the collaboration between safety officers and SLOs. GFF SLO coordinator Bakar Jordania then gave an update on the SLO project in Georgia and outlined the perspectives for the work in the short to medium term.
The participants also heard contributions from representatives of the ministry of sport and youth and the ministry of the interior on the new Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and the implications for the work in Georgia (e.g. the launch of a new training programme for stewards). There then followed a general discussion on the situation in the country and ways to improve the implementation of the project, develop the existing relationship with supporters and boost attendances.
During the visit additional meetings were held between the GFF and SD Europe to map out a strategy for developing the SLO work in Georgia. SD Europe will submit a proposal to the GFF in this regard in due course.
The visit concluded with a visit to the Champions League third qualifying round second leg between Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Zagreb.
SD Europe would like to thank the GFF for the excellent cooperation and professional organisation of this successful workshop and looks forward to consolidating the relationship in the years to come.
Under Article 35 of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, clubs across Europe are required to appoint a Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) to ensure proper and constructive discourse between them and their fans. The SLO project originated in 2009 as a result of detailed talks between UEFA and SD Europe. It was approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in 2010, with SD Europe appointed to manage its implementation across UEFA’s 55 member associations. If you would like to learn more, visit the SLO section on the SD Europe website or get in touch via slo@supporters-direct.coop.