Football: The Beautiful Game - Officials deem the safety situation during the impending European Championships more crucial than during the 2006 World Cup.
The safety conditions for the European Football Championship have deteriorated substantially, as per evaluations by Baden-Württemberg officials, compared to the 2006 World Cup. Given the worldwide political climate, Bavarian Interior Minister Thomas Strobl labeled the approaching tournament as a "mega-issue" prior to the event. "We have war in Europe. The intensifying Middle East conflict and the Ukraine war are also impacting this area," said the CDU politician in Stuttgart, about two weeks before the tournament's start. "This, of course, affects the security situation here as well."
As thousands of additional security personnel, police, and rescue services prepare for match days and the five matches in Stuttgart, officers in uniform and civil attire will remain watchful during high-risk games, including the two Hungarian-involved matches in Stuttgart, stated Stuttgart Police President Markus Eisenbraun.
The precise number of foreign fans arriving via Stuttgart's train stations and the airport remains uncertain, according to the Federal Police. In Stuttgart, it's foreseen that there will be between 50,000 and 100,000 Scottish fans, while numerous supporters of the violent hooligan scene from Hungary are predicted to be present. The Federal Police deployment will likely increase to up to 2,500 officers at peak times. "We'll intervene with a low threshold during any detected offenses," declared the Stuttgart Federal Police Directorate's president, Carsten Laube.
Germany will host the EM from June 14 to July 14. In Stuttgart, four group matches and a quarter-final are scheduled to take place. The opening group match between Slovenia and Denmark is set for June 16, with Germany playing against Hungary three days later, and the Ukrainian team set to play against Belgium on June 26 in Stuttgart.
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- The Federal Police is closely monitoring the arrival of fans in Stuttgart for the European Football Championship, given the uncertainty of numbers due to numerous arrivals via train stations and the airport.
- In light of the tense security situation, the Stuttgart City Fire Department has also heightened its preparedness, alongside the Federal Police and local police forces.
- As the European Football Championship kicks off in Europe, Baden-Württemberg officials, under the leadership of Interior Minister Thomas Strobl, view the event as an internal security challenge, particularly considering ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
- During the European Football Championship, the Federal Police will deploy up to 2,500 additional officers to ensure security, focusing on high-risk games, such as those involving Hungarian supporters known for their violent hooligan scene.
- The CDU politician, Thomas Strobl, echoed a common concern about the impact of conflicts in Europe on the security situation during the championship, stating, "We have war in Europe."
- The Federal Police and Stuttgart Police President Markus Eisenbraun have expressed concerns about potential incidents involving Hungarian fans and their history of violence at soccer matches, particularly during matches involving Hungary.
- The European Football Championship presents a unique opportunity for Germany to showcase its ability to manage major events, even as political tensions in Europe and beyond continue to pose challenges to internal security.
- Prior to the European Football Championship, the Federal Police and local authorities in Stuttgart have collaborated to strengthen security measures, aiming to minimize the effects of political conflicts in areas such as the Middle East and Ukraine on the event.
Source: www.stern.de
