UEFA announced new steps to enhance safety for supporters attending finals, including fan participation in the “planning and execution” of finals.
The adjustments are also based on the suggestions from the report that was ordered three days after the 2021/2022 Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid which was played at the French capital in Paris
According to a research, UEFA was “primary responsible” for the near-catastrophic loss of life in Paris.
Kickoff was postponed by 36 minutes because spectators were surrounded and gassed with tear gas outside the Stade de France.
Uefa and the French government first attributed the incidents to ticket-less supporters.
Uefa said it had held “extensive and positive dialogue” with fan organizations, primarily through Football Supporters Europe (Fare), before announcing a series of new safeguards for fans attending finals.
Among the latest steps taken by Uefa to increase fan safety at finals are:
- coordinating with Fare to collect data on the amount of fans traveling to the host city
- Resource’s to improve “welcome services,” especially in the final kilometer of stadium access routes
- Putting up suitable signs at major stadium entrances
- Including at turnstile gates and on the stadium concourse, medical and first aid personnel will be readily visible and reachable.
- Disability access officers and committed supporter liaison officers
- Each turnstile has a dedicated employee to assist fans with ticket concerns.
- Additional Uefa safety and security personnel
Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis also had this to say:
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our events in a safe, inclusive, and pleasurable environment by putting the best practices described in our action plan into effect and working with fan groups further“.
The implementation of the new adjustment is set to begin with this year’s Champions League Final in June.