PURPOSE: to amend Decision 2002/348/JHA concerning security in connection with football matches with an international dimension.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2007/412/JHA amending Decision 2002/348/JHA concerning security in connection with football matches with an international dimension.
CONTENT: on 25 April 2002, the Council adopted Decision 2002/348/JHA (refer to CNS/2001/0824) which established national football information points in each Member State as the designated point for sharing police information in respect of football matches with international dimension. That Decision set out the tasks and procedures to be adopted by each national football information point.
In the light of experience in recent years, such as the European Championships in 2004 and the experts' assessment of international police cooperation in the framework of that championship and extensive police cooperation in respect of international and club matches in Europe generally, the Decision should be revised and updated.
In recent years, the number of supporters travelling to matches abroad continues to grow. Therefore, it is necessary for the competent bodies to strengthen their cooperation and to professionalize the exchange of information in order to prevent public order disturbances and to allow every Member State to make an efficient risk assessment. The proposed amendments are the results of gathered experiences from several national football information points in their daily work and should enable them to work in a more structured and professional way, ensuring the exchange of high quality information.
This Decision enables national football information points to have access to information involving personal data on risk supporters. The information points shall produce and circulate, for the benefit of other national football information points regular, generic and/or thematic national football disorder assessments.
It is also provided that information be exchanged using the appropriate forms contained in the appendix to the handbook with recommendations for international police cooperation and measures to prevent and control violence and disturbances in connection with football matches with an international dimension, in which at least one Member State is involved. National football information points shall ensure that the information they send is complete and in conformity with those forms.
The Council shall evaluate the implementation of this Decision by 12 June 2010.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 16 June 2007.