Harsh criticism of lack of training for security forces
Folders beat up a person, a YouTuber comes with fake accreditation onto the lawn, a man climbs under the stadium roof, numerous flashers: The security at the Euro Football Championship is seriously at risk. An expert speaks of "completely false qualification" of the stewards.
Thousands of people in neon yellow or orange vest secure the stadiums and fan festivals of the Euro Football Championship daily. They control tickets, accreditations, backpacks, bags, they show the way to the place and exit, they are supposed to protect. After several incidents, the latest being violent stewards in the Frankfurt Euro Football Championship Arena, doubts are growing: Is everyone who is employed as a security or orderly really qualified? Who controls those who control? And who bears the responsibility for the security tensions?
After the quarterfinal between Portugal and Slovenia, a video appeared showing stewards beating up a fan and trampling him. Another steward was pinned to the ground. The clip is short and blurry, but it is clear that the behavior of the security personnel has nothing to do with professionalism. The Frankfurt police are investigating on suspicion of bodily harm. The condition of the beaten fan is unknown.
In the public incidents beforehand, there were no victims, but rather the question of what would have happened if others had exploited the security gaps - those who want to cause harm. In the question of responsibility, there seem to be greater differences on a political level between the European Football Union UEFA and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Criticism of inadequate training for security staff
At the opening game in Munich, a web video producer in an Alpine mascot costume and with fake accreditation had sneaked in. The YouTuber published videos of his actions and gained popularity. At the German quarterfinal against Denmark, a so-called roofer had climbed onto the roof of the Dortmund stadium, presumably to take special photos like before from other high buildings. In many games, fans had gotten onto the pitch, to be close to their stars. In all cases, the security staff were responsible for preventing this.
"The legal requirement is purely theoretical instruction in the classroom of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce - and that is not suitable for the protection of events," said security expert Harald Olschok about the training of security staff. There is a huge number of people who have been sought and hired for the Euro Football Championship.
Even at the games, between 800 and 1300 helpers are deployed per match. The distinction between pure order maintenance and the security service is made in detail, also in the qualification by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Regulated is that in § 34a of the Trade Regulation. The police are also present at the stadium, but have other responsibilities. Companies with experience in the industry are commissioned, and they then recruit helpers. Often, the "instruction" according to § 34a is sufficient, depending on the security area, also the more comprehensive "qualification" is required. Specifically, the "instruction" calls Olschok "the completely false qualification for this special task".
The security personnel must undergo the training procedure for a week. Although they are taught what the rights and duties of the security personnel are, "but there is no sentence about how to behave at a stadium in Dortmund or Munich?", complained Olschok. The honorary professor for security economy at the Humboldt-University Berlin advocates for a more practical training at the deployment sites for the security personnel.
UEFA shares criticism
The European Football Union UEFA, as the supervising body responsible for the security forces, agrees with the criticism and even shares it. The organization itself is only conditionally in agreement with the solution imposed on the organizers "from a superior authority". The legal requirements would "go back to very old trade regulations", according to UEFA. "This is - in our view - clearly not suitable for preparing stewards for their specific tasks during football matches."
The organization referred to the qualification program of the German Football Association for stewards (QuaSOD), which has been systematically developed and funded over ten years. "Unfortunately", it came despite the support of all security experts and UEFA not to a legal recognition on a political level for QuaSOD. "As a result, there is still an additional, time-consuming and impractical legal requirement, which is one of the main causes of the shortage of specialists in the security service and stewarding."
Olschok sees the EM as a safe event despite the latest incidents - especially in view of the many millions of people who were already on the move. Security gaps cannot be completely excluded. "It's important to draw consequences from incidents like these and learn from them", he said. In most cases, UEFA announced to examine and close the security gaps.
Despite the extensive training and deployment of security personnel, incidents such as the use of excessive force by stewards and unauthorized access to stadiums have raised concerns about the qualifications and effectiveness of the security force. These issues have led to criticism from security experts and even the European Football Union (UEFA), who share concerns about the outdated legal requirements for steward qualifications and the lack of practical training at deployment sites.
