Athens 5 April 2023
The Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) has organized the CEPOL onsite training activity Pan-European Football Security 69/2023 in collaboration with the European Group of Policing Football and NFIP Experts (European Think Tank). It took place in the premises of the Center for Security Studies in Athens, Greece, from the 27th to the 31st of March 2023.
The course aimed to enhance safety and security during football matches with an international dimension within Europe by increasing the effectiveness and harmonisation of policing such events. 42 learners from various Member States participated in practical exercises, and workshops, and benefited from the knowledge and experience of their experts/trainers, including on topics of crowd management, risk of pyrotechnics, inclusion, exclusion and supporters’ communication strategies, multi-agency and multi-stakeholders’ cooperation and engagement. The participants also had the opportunity to visit the Karaiskakis Stadium, home of Olympiacos FC, and be briefed by the team’s Security Manager, as well as to observe security measures taken during a Euroleague fixture at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, home of Olympiacos BC. The course was supported by the Greek Football Prosecutor and by trainers/experts from the Hellenic Police, the Romanian Gendarmerie, the University of Liverpool, Europol, Interpol, UEFA, and the Football Supporters Europe e.V..
CEPOL – the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training brings together law enforcement officials across Europe with the aim to encourage cross-border cooperation in the fight against serious and organised crime and maintenance of public security and law and order. Established as an agency of the European Union (EU) in 2006, CEPOL organises between 80-100 residential activities per year, besides the online courses and the Webinars. The implementation of the residential activities takes place at the institutions of the Member States and the activities cover a wide range of topics, with a focus on fundamental rights, covering thematics such as hate crime and hate speech prevention. For more information about CEPOL, visit www.cepol.europa.eu .
The Center for Security Studies (Kentro Meleton Asfaleias – KEMEA), founded in 2005, is a scientific, consulting and research organization overseen by the Minister of Citizen Protection, governed by common law, and annually audited by chartered accountants. Its principal purpose is to conduct theoretical and applied research and studies, particularly at the strategic level, on security topics and policies, while being the think-tank of the Ministry of Citizen Protection on numerous policies such as public order, correctional services, terrorism prevention, crime prevention, integrated border management and civil protection as well as on various other security and societal issues; it also provides advisory and consulting risk-management services to an array of public and private organizations.
