= inclusive, independent, democratically organised representative network of football supporters in Europe Beginnings: European Football Fans‘ Congresses in London/UK in 2008, in Hamburg/Germany 2009 Independent Coordinating Office in Hamburg/Germany Members in 35 countries representing more than 2 million football fans Interlocuteur of UEFA, cooperation with Council of Europe, EU  Fostering networking amongst fans‘ groups in Europe  Grass-roots oriented campaigning on issues relevant to football fans  Lobbying for and representation of fans‘ interests towards relevant institutions  Provision of advice and support for fans‘ groups & institutions

 An opposition to all forms of discrimination of any individuals on any grounds including: origin, ability, religion and belief, gender, sexual orientation and age  The rejection of violence, both verbal and physical  The empowerment of grass roots football fans  Fostering a positive fan and football culture including values such as fair play and good governance

Nationally, locally active members & individual members Locally active members & individual members Individual members only

CLUB LEVEL Fans’ Departments as part of club structures – depending on existing ownership structures Official Fan Club Federations Official Fan Clubs - one fan club per club or a variety of small fan clubs Informally or formally organized, independent fans‘ groups CLUB LEVEL Fans’ Departments as part of club structures – depending on existing ownership structures Official Fan Club Federations Official Fan Clubs - one fan club per club or a variety of small fan clubs Informally or formally organized, independent fans‘ groups NATIONAL LEVEL Fan clubs of national teams – independent or interlinked with the FA National fans‘ initiatives – representative, on-topic, informally and/or formally organised NATIONAL LEVEL Fan clubs of national teams – independent or interlinked with the FA National fans‘ initiatives – representative, on-topic, informally and/or formally organised EUROPEAN LEVEL Football Supporters Europe – formally organised, representative, independent SupportersDirect _Europe – informal on-topic consulting informal, on-topic or gender-specific networks (F_in, QFF, Alerta etc) EUROPEAN LEVEL Football Supporters Europe – formally organised, representative, independent SupportersDirect _Europe – informal on-topic consulting informal, on-topic or gender-specific networks (F_in, QFF, Alerta etc)

reflects problems in society traces back to a dynamic, complex interaction of various influences on individual, group and structural level

Everyone is responsible for the problems in and outside football stadia and should be committed to act:  Public Authorities (local, national and international)  Football Associations (national and international)  Football clubs (Club Management, Players)  Football Supporters and their representative organisations Principle of complementary actions: Balance between differentiated intervention and security strategies & concepts of socio-prevention

differentiated understanding of spectator violence and discriminatory behaviour as part of a wider socially dynamic phenomenon considering spectator violence in the context of the specific conditions and actors in modern sports and the society experiences of the established framework of complementing, integrative measures of prevention in football the significance of the relationship between supporters and clubs as an important focus of preventive strategies

Positive fan behaviour often crucially depends on how fans are/feel treated and perceived Frustration about a lack of participation can increase the potential for misconduct (e.g. aggressive behaviour) The commercialisation of modern sports and stadiums hold risk of/ leads to exclusion of genuine supporters and conflicts of interest and alientation between fans and clubs (e.g. by reducing standing areas, increasing ticket prices, exploitation of clubs against club’s traditions…)  Significant value of sports clubs as a social reference point  Immensely positive potential of the fans‘ affiliation with their club

"The supporters are the lifeblood of professional football – they are the identity of the clubs. Owners, coaches and players change but supporters always remain. We try to incorporate the views of the fans into what we do.“ – Michel Platini, March

Background: contemporary scientific findings on violence and discrimination in football in Europe Fan-projects Fan Liaison Officers Fans‘ Embassies Anti-racist campaigning organisations/initiatives Community work via football projects Fan Councils at local and national level Fans‘ involvement in decision-making or in advisory capacities Supporters Charters etc  Fostering/using the positive potential of football and/or fan culture  Establishing a dialoge between fans and all relevant parties  Aiming at inclusion & involvement of football fans

Any sustainable, successful dialogue and preventive measures should be based on partnership / cooperation on equal footing recognizing and supporting the independence and grassroots approach of fans’ self-organisation on a commitment from both sides to proactively support essential principles like  anti-discrimination,  the rejection of violence and  reliability on both sides with regards to abiding the agreements made, etc.

There usually are significantly fewer problems and the club and stadium atmosphere is better and a lot more attractive everywhere,  where there is a decent level of self-organisation among football fans AND  where they are considered equal partners in a dialogue and are involved in decision-making processes by clubs and other football governing bodies and authorities

In the framework of successful prevention, it is important that supporters are not just seen as part of the existing problems but are considered a vital part of any “solution” and the culture of the game by all parties involved in football A dialogue can only be successful if it is based on partnership and a mutual commitment to essential values Self-organisation amongst fans and their dialogue with football governing bodies happens successfully in various ways and at all levels in many countries across Europe Recognizing and supporting the independence and grassroots approach of fans’ structures from football governing bodies - where desired by fans - is important

Football Supporters Europe tel Coordinating Officefax P.O. Box Hamburg Germany