A representative of SD Europe recently took part in a monitoring visit to Kyiv on 9-10 October 2017 organised by the Standing Committee of the European Convention on Spectator Violence on the occasion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage match between Ukraine and Croatia.
The purpose of the visit was to support the Ukrainian authorities in the process of ratifying the new Council of Europe Convention on an integrated safety, security and service approach at football matches and other sports events (CETS No. 218) and to help them prepare its implementation at national level.
The delegation consisted of a team of international football policing experts from Germany, Portugal, Romania and Sweden, accompanied by specialists in the fields of stadium infrastructure, safety and security, supporter liaison and fan engagement representing key observers to the standing committee (UEFA, SD Europe and Football Supporters Europe), as well as the Secretariat of the Council of Europe.
Meetings were held with all the main stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Sport, the Ukrainian police service, the Football Federation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Premier League and supporter organisations from both Ukraine and Croatia, for an exchange of information and experience about policies and practices in the field of safety, security and service.
As the Olympic stadium in Kyiv will host the Champions League final on 26 May 2018, the visit was also designed to assist the Ukrainian authorities in preparing for this event.
Following the visit the Council of Europe will produce a report and make recommendations for the Ukrainian authorities, taking into account the observations made by the members of the delegation during the visit.