World Cup FRANCE 98 – Press Releases

Paris, 21 February 1997

FENCING AROUND WORLD CUP STADIUMS

FIFA’s wish that fencing should disappear from around World Cup stadiums has given rise to a great deal of thought about stadium security. Three general inspectors were assigned the task – by the Minister Delegate for Sport and Youth Affairs – of canvassing the opinions of all those responsible for security in the stadiums (national and local state representatives, French football authorities, Mayors, club presidents, etc.).

Although, in the long run, it is hoped that fencing will be taken down and that football stadiums will once again become friendly and pacific, today, just 16 months away from the opening game, such an undertaking cannot be considered without compromising the safety of spectators.

This is hardly surprising. The removal of fencing is one among many new measures which are to be instigated: standing room is to give way to seats, video monitoring systems are to be installed, mandatory security personnel under the responsibility of the organisers are to be put in place in the stadiums, new legislation further empowering the authorities to deal with hooligans and to deny them access to the stadium (the government’s recent decision to ban all petty criminals in the stadium region from matches, is a positive step) is also planned. However, although “the ball has started to roll” towards the instigation of these new measures, no concrete action has yet been taken, even though agreement has been reached on expenditure repartition.

The CFO has always maintained that the decision to take down, or leave up fences, could only be made with complete agreement on a policy for the World Cup and beyond, between public security and French football authorities. Consequently, as it seems currently impossible to remove fencing without having an effect on public safety in 1998, the status quo is to prevail and World Cup stadiums will be protected by French Football Federations Ground Rules, as laid down in the CFO specifications aimed at the venues. In short, the fencing stays.