The State of Qatar signed today a bilateral agreement (2018-2020) of technical co-operation with the Council of Europe, in the framework of the European Convention on Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports events (CETS No. 218), known as "St Denis Convention".
The project aims at supporting Qatar to fulfil standards relative to safety, security and service in order to accede to the Convention and at the same time to assist the country to prepare for hosting important events, such as the IAAF Athletics World Championships in 2019 in Doha and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Council of Europe standards and best practices in this field will be essential for this capacity-building action consisting of fact finding visits, comparative analysis of legal frameworks, information seminars and workshops strengthening safety management, international police co-operation and dialogue with supporters. The budget allocated is of 600,000 EUR.
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni and Qatar Representative to the Council of Europe, Brigadier Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, on behalf of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), signed the agreement in the ceremony organised at the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg.
Quote from Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni
“Council of Europe’s unique legal instruments are pivotal in today’s sports’ world. We are glad that our normative action is considered so relevant by the State of Qatar, in order to expand a common legal space in this field. This project will contribute to enhance sustainability for sport safety, security and service at important events”.
Quote from Brigadier Ibrahim Al Mohannadi
“The safety and security of all participants of the FIFA World Cup Qatar is of the utmost importance to us. By working closely with the Council of Europe and its member countries, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy can deliver on a unified approach to safety, security, and servicing during the tournament".
The purpose of this Convention is to ensure that football and other sports events provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for all individuals through the implementation of an integrated approach on safety, security and service at sports events by a plurality of actors working in a partnership amid an ethos of co-operation.
The Convention was adopted by the Committee of Ministers in May 2016 and opened for signature on 3 July 2016. Thirty member States have signed the new Convention and six of them have ratified it. The Convention entered into force last 1st of November 2017 (see Chart of signature and ratifications).
