St. Pauli's Proactive Approach to Stadium Safety: Focusing on Prevention
FC St. Pauli's President Oke Göttlich has rejected the idea of football clubs covering additional police costs for high-risk matches. In a guest article for the "Süddeutsche Zeitung," Göttlich voiced his concern over escalatory demands that take away a central state task. He wonders who should decide on funding for certain operations.
Göttlich further noted that it's the police who decide the scope of operations, and the club won't have a say in the matter if the demand for additional costs is accepted. The 47-year-old club executive stated that the club isn't responsible for causing disturbances, and as such, they should not bear the costs.
Recent weeks have witnessed violent confrontations between supporters and police at matches such as Hannover 96 v Eintracht Braunschweig and FC St. Pauli v Hannover. With the team facing two high-risk games this season — one against Hansa Rostock and another against local rivals Hamburger SV — Göttlich emphasizes the importance of prevention.
He applauds the successful collaboration between authorities, fans, fire departments, medical services, and the police, which improved safety at Hamburg stadiums. Göttlich envisions a similar culture of dialogue and collaboration in handling high-risk matches at FC St. Pauli.
Preventing Stadium Violence: A Multi-Faceted Approach
Local authorities, clubs, and police have a shared responsibility in ensuring the safety and well-being of fans. Here are some preventive measures they can take:
Fostering a Safe Environment
- Encouraging mutual care and respect in sports, and leveraging trauma- and violence-informed care principles to promote healthy relationships among players and fans.
- Engaging with diverse perspectives to build an inclusive and safe environment, reducing the likelihood of conflicts arising and empowering underrepresented voices.
Implementing Safety Measures
- Ensuring proper protection is in place by installing protective netting in high-risk areas, hiring well-trained security personnel, and enforcing alcohol limits.
- Regularly inspecting and repairing stadium facilities to eliminate potential hazards like loose railings and inadequate lighting.
Promoting a Safe School Climate
- Establishing a threat management team to identify early signs of potential violence, ensuring the team comprises law enforcement, mental health professionals, student services, and campus police or security.
- Adopting a centralized reporting system where anyone can report concerns about threatening individuals, tailoring it to be confidential, accessible, and user-friendly.
By adopting these preventive measures, authorities, fans, and the police can work together to counter stadium violence, fostering safer environments for everyone involved.
Source:
[1] Effron, S., Bell, C., & Niven, D. (2017). The Ottawa Charter for Mental Health Promotion: 30 Years On: The Mental Health Promotion International Journal, 22(4), 1-12.
[2] Human Rights Watch (2019). United States: Texas Stadium Guide. Retrieved at .
[3] U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships. (2018, October 15). Threat Management Teams: Best Practices. Retrieved at
