Remarks by Hanne Juncher, Director of Security, Integrity and Rule of Law
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Council of Europe and to the Balance S4 Conference.
This conference is, we hope, an important contribution to our efforts to enhance safety and service at sports events across Europe.
The incidents following Paris Saint Germain’s victory in the UEFA Champions League final last weekend are a reminder that even moments of joy in sports can be overshadowed by violence and unrest.
This confirms the importance of our work.
The Council of Europe has long recognised the positive impact that sport has on our societies — also as a catalyst for advancing human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Sport transcends physical activity — it fosters inclusion, mutual respect and social cohesion.
In our work related to sport, the Council of Europe also seeks to combat discrimination, promote ethical standards and ensure safety and integrity in sporting environments.
Our standards, including the European Sports Charter and the various sport conventions, provide a comprehensive framework to uphold human rights in and through sport.
By embedding all this into sports policies and practices, we aim to create inclusive spaces where all individuals - regardless of their background - are welcome and can participate safely and equitably at sports events.
The Saint-Denis Convention embodies this recognition.
It underlines the integrated approach to safety, security and service at sports events, while promoting and protecting the rights of all participants.
The “Balance S4 project”, a joint initiative between the European Union and the Council of Europe, has been instrumental in operationalising the principles and standards of the Saint-Denis Convention.
Through research, training programs, and stakeholder engagement, the “Balance S4 project” has provided valuable insights into the current landscape of safety and service in and around sports venues.
Today's “Balance S4 conference” offers an opportunity to reflect on these insights, share best practices and chart a course forward.
We will hear from the experts who conducted surveys on existing safety and service arrangements at national level; explore good practices related to sports infrastructures, inclusion and accessibility; and discuss strategies for delivering effective training in your countries.
Importantly, we will also consider the specific needs of diverse groups, including women and persons with disabilities, ensuring that our approaches to safety and service are inclusive and respectful of all individuals.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all Parties and Observers of the Saint-Denis Convention; representatives from Ministries of Sport, Interior and Justice; police officers from National Football Information Points; international sports organisations; supporter organisations; and all stakeholders who have contributed and continue to contribute to the success of the “Balance S4 project”.
We would like to thank in particular the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), Football Supporters Europe (FSE), AccessibAll and UEFA.
As we look ahead, I encourage you to continue to be involved, and also to please recommend priority areas that need further training and ideas for how we can develop the “Balance S4 Guidelines on safety and service”.
I wish you a successful conference.