Solutions Exist to Reduce Violence in Stadiums
Solutions do exist, particularly the use of "stadiers," which can provide significant benefits. La Presse — Reducing violence in stadiums and securing matches were at the center of a coordination meeting chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports. The meeting aimed to strengthen mechanisms to combat violence and hooliganism in sports facilities. The objective was to reinforce coordination and revitalize the role of the joint committee responsible for organizational and security matters, as well as prepare for the smooth running of upcoming sports events.
Several decisions were made, with the most important being:
- Modernization of the control room: The National Sports Complex was tasked with preparing the control room of the Olympic Stadium Hammadi Agrebi in Radès, to make it operational during the second half of the season.
- Revision of sanctions: A working meeting will be held with all concerned parties (the Tunisian Football Federation, the National Professional Football League, and representatives of the Ministry of Interior) to review and adapt the sanction schedule for rioting and violence in stadiums.
- Procedures and powers manual: A unified manual of procedures will be developed, defining the powers and responsibilities of each party, and will serve as a reference document for all matches.
- Appointment of general coordinators: A plan will be adopted to appoint general coordinators in stadiums, clearly defining their missions. These coordinators will be chosen from among unemployed graduates of higher institutes of sports and physical education.
The Minister of Youth and Sports emphasized the need to take concrete and decisive measures to eradicate the phenomenon of violence, while strengthening deterrent sanctions and applying them to all offenders without exception. All these decisions are respected and reflect a desire to restore order and take control of the public, which has been left to its own devices.
Moreover, efforts are being made to question, for example, the closure of a stadium area. And if it's for security reasons?
Security and Health
We have learned that two aspects are non-negotiable in any organization: security and health. Everything else can be called into question, except for these two aspects, which are the responsibility of those in charge. The first problem that concerns us, and which is similar to what happens in major sports nations, is to avoid mixing security services with organization.
In fact, security services in any organization (from a movie theater to a street demonstration) are only there to prevent things from getting out of hand. They should not intervene unless there is a threat of dangerous clashes or damage to public property.
This is why "stadiers" were created - volunteers from a given organization who can channel and prevent excesses. These "stadiers" are mentioned in many meeting minutes, and it is recommended that they be trained and put in place as soon as possible.
The "stadiers" are carefully selected from among supporters who want to serve their clubs. They are chosen for their influence, seniority, and ability to recognize those who are more likely to cause trouble, those who hide prohibited smoke bombs, those who manipulate them, those who initiate violence, and those who incite others to do so. They provide a valuable service by reducing the risks involved. They monitor entrances alongside organizing committees and do not recognize friends or family members. They encourage people to pay the entrance fee, etc. The security service cannot do this and should not get involved. Everyone should play their role, and football should remain a spectacle.
Where are we in all this? English football has taken control of the situation to control and annihilate hooliganism, with the implementation of these well-trained "stadiers." They concluded, after a serious study, that involving the police and security services could exacerbate reactions and distort everything. And it's been a long time since we've heard about those hooligans who frightened organizers around the world.
Why not take inspiration from this? Independently of this aspect, not all the reasons for these violent actions have been discussed. Refereeing and VAR are two points that we consider essential. This does not justify anything, but they are elements to be taken into consideration. There are also many questions that need to be asked.
