Stadium security on agenda in Vienna

UEFA and safety and security experts come together in Vienna on Wednesday for an international meeting aimed at preparing for the new European club and national-team season.

The meeting, which is the second of its kind after last year's inaugural event, is jointly organised by UEFA and the pan-European group of football safety and security experts – the EU Think Tank – and will offer a key review of safety and security matters ahead of the forthcoming UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League group stage kick-offs.

The annual meeting will be attended by representatives of European police and governmental agencies, security officers of UEFA and national football associations, security officers of the clubs taking part in this season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League group stages, and National Football Information Points (NFIP).

Austria's minister of the interior Maria Fekter and her Belgian counterpart Annemie Turtelboom will also be present at the discussions, while UEFA will be represented at senior level by Executive Committee members Joseph Mifsud and Michael van Praag.

This year's conference will feature plenary discussions and simultaneous workshops dealing with topics such as supporters' facilities, an integrated approach to international cooperation and safety/security management, the role of governments and the authorities in contributing to safety and security at football matches, and contingency plans and stadium inspection.

UEFA will also be putting forward its values and initiatives, such as its Respect campaign and its determination that a zero-tolerance approach be adopted vis-a-vis crowd violence. The European body will be underlining its view that safety at football matches is a priority to ensure a positive fan experience.

The gathering as a whole will provide an excellent opportunity for the participants to exchange general and specific information regarding international police cooperation and cooperation between clubs.