FRANCE 98 – Press Release Template

Paris, 14 January 1998

Security at the World Cup :
British and French authorities team up for a work seminar

At the request of the French Organising Committee (CFO), the Interministerial Delegation to the World Cup (DICOM) and the French Home Office and Justice Department, English, Scottish and French footballing authorities were invited to Paris on Wednesday 14 January 1998 to discuss safety and security issues for the World Cup. These talks were organised to take place shortly after the Draw on 4 December in Marseille, when the dates, times and venues would be known for all World Cup games.

The aim of this first general get-together, coming in the wake of detailed bilateral exchanges between the above authorities since 1996, was for the representatives of the three countries to set up co-operative measures covering all aspects of safety and security for the World Cup. This will include reception facilities for the British delegations and supporters in France, crowd control, and ensuring that supporters travel to the different venues in a trouble-free manner.

The French Justice department, which was involved in this meeting, also presented the security measures to be implemented during the World Cup.

As they came out of the meeting, both British and French officials cited “prevention, anticipation and close co-operation” as forming the backbone of their collaboration.

Also on the agenda for discussion were security arrangements for the teams, stadium lay-outs and their security perimeters, and the segregation of fans in the grounds.

Further more detailed meetings on security issues are scheduled during the coming five months.

The French Organising Committee for the World Cup and DICOM will also engage in talks of a similar kind with authorities in charge of security for other countries involved in the competition, notably at the Council of Europe.

Present at the meeting on behalf of the British authorities

Tim HOLLIS	Assistant Chief Constable, South Yorkshire Police Chief Officer responsible for overall co-ordination
Eddy CURTIS	Chief Superintendent, Nottinghamshire Police Police liaison and leader of the ” spotting ” team to be deployed in support of the English fans
Peter CHAPMAN	Detective Inspector, National Criminal Intelligence Service Responsible for the intelligence flows in connection with the championships
Peter WHENT	Assistant Chief Constable, British Transport Police Chief officer responsible for co-ordination re fans in transit on the rail system
Peter GIBSON	Assistant Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police Chief officer responsible for overall co-ordination
Alan BROWN	British Home Office
Tim LIVESEY	British Embassy in Paris
Steven DONNOLLY	British Embassy in Paris
Nick GARGAN	D/Chief Inspector National Criminal Intelligence Service
Sir Brian HAYES	In charge of the security – English Football Association,
William McDOUGALL	In charge of the security – Scottish Football Association

On behalf of the French Authorities

Georges QUERRY	Inspecteur Général de la Police Nationale Responsable de la Mission Sécurité à la DICOM
Christian MARTINEZ	Commissaire Direction Centrale du Contrôle de l’Immigration et de la Lutte contre l’Emploi Clandestin
Yves JOANNESSE	Commissaire Principal Service de Coopération Technique International de Police
Frédéric MIALOT	Commissaire Principal chargé des Relations Extérieures Direction Centrale des Renseignements Généraux
Commandant LEDANOIS	Officier de liaison français à l’EURO 96 Direction Centrale de la Sécurité Publique
Laurent LE MESLE	Sous-Directeur des Affaires Criminelles et des Grâces Ministère de la Justice

On behalf of the French Organising Committee

Mme Dominique SPINOSI	Directeur de la Sécurité
Jean-François FALCOU	Responsable Sécurité du Site de Marseille
Serge JOUREAU	Responsable Sécurité du Site de Saint-Denis
Daniel BIDERMANN	Responsable Sécurité du Site de Saint-Etienne
Michel POILEVE	Responsable Sécurité du Site de Lens