On the occasion of a qualifying match between Ukraine and Croatia for the 2018 FIFA  World Cup, the Standing Committee of the European Convention on Spectator Violence organised a monitoring visit in Kyiv to support the Ukrainian authorities in their ratification process of the new Council of Europe Convention on an integrated safety, security and service approach at football matches and other sports events (CETS No. 218) and to help them prepare its implementation at national level.

A team of international experts from Germany, Portugal, Romania and Sweden, accompanied by some major observers to the Convention as UEFA, Supporters Direct Europe and Football Supporters Europe and the Secretariat of the Council of Europe visited Ukraine on 9-10 October 2017 to meet all important stakeholders: representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Sport, Football Federation, Ukrainian Premier League, supporter organisations, etc. and exchange about their policies and practices in the field of safety and security.

Taking into account that the Kyiv Olympic stadium will host the Champions League Final on 26 May 2018, the visit also assisted Ukrainian authorities in preparing for this event.