The Sport Conventions Division of the Council of Europe participated in the first UEFA national masterclass on pyrotechnics on 26-27 March, in Helsinki (Finland).

This event enabled the Council of Europe, UEFA and the European Think Tank on Football Safety and Security experts to send national stakeholders a single pan-European message on the need to prevent, disrupt and respond to the risks associated with the use of pyrotechnics in football stadia and crowded places, following the conclusions of independent scientific research.

Adrian Dinca, vice-chair of the Standing Committee of the European Convention of Spectator Violence (T-RV) and Paulo Gomes, member of the Sport Conventions Division, were the Council of Europe experts in this event, which was attended by 120 national representatives from the public and private sector, as well as another eight experts.