.png)
European football authorities, clubs, leagues and supporter representatives have backed a new approach to dealing with supporter-related safety concerns, urging authorities to avoid blanket bans on travelling fans except in the most serious circumstances.
The position was agreed in Madrid following UEFA’s Safety and Security Conference, held on September 1 and 2, where more than 500 representatives from across the European game gathered to discuss supporter safety and the role of away fans.
UEFA, European Football Clubs, Football Supporters Europe and European Leagues subsequently adopted a joint statement supporting a Council of Europe recommendation aimed at reducing the use of collective restrictions on away supporters.
The organisations argue that preventing an entire group of fans from attending a match can have far-reaching consequences for football culture and can also create additional logistical problems for clubs and competition organisers.
Instead, the stakeholders want authorities to concentrate on identifying and sanctioning individuals responsible for violence, disorder or other misconduct.
Blanket restrictions should be a last resort
Under the principles endorsed by the football organisations, collective bans should only be imposed when there is compelling and current evidence of a serious threat to public safety or public order.
Authorities should first consider whether other measures could manage the risk before restricting an entire group of supporters. Any decision to introduce a collective ban should also be necessary, proportionate and supported by objective evidence.
The stance follows Recommendation Rec(2025)1, adopted by the Council of Europe’s Saint-Denis Committee in October 2025.
The European football stakeholders also stressed that decisions over supporter restrictions should not be made in isolation.
They called for greater cooperation between governments, police, football authorities, clubs, leagues and supporter organisations, particularly when dealing with matches considered to present heightened security risks.
Supporters to have greater clarity
Another key element of the agreement concerns communication.
When restrictions are introduced, supporters should be informed as quickly and clearly as possible, allowing them to adjust travel plans and understand any rights they may have to challenge the decision.
The stakeholders also called for greater transparency surrounding the evidence and reasoning behind collective bans.
They believe clearly explaining why restrictions have been deemed necessary can improve the legitimacy of decisions while helping maintain constructive relationships between football organisations, supporters and public authorities.
Away supporters recognised as part of European football
The joint statement places particular emphasis on the importance of travelling supporters to the European game.
Away fans contribute to the atmosphere inside stadiums and play a role in the cultural identity and popularity of competitions. The ability to travel with a team, both domestically and internationally, was described as a long-established part of European football culture.
At the same time, the stakeholders acknowledged that supporters must comply with applicable laws and regulations.
The Madrid conference continued a focus on fan engagement that has featured prominently at UEFA’s Safety and Security Conference for a second consecutive year, with discussions also centred on the Saint-Denis Convention and its integrated approach to safety, security and service.
European football’s stakeholders concluded by reaffirming their intention to work alongside public authorities to create an environment that is safe and secure without unnecessarily restricting supporters.
The joint statement will be submitted to the Saint-Denis Committee of the Council of Europe as the collective position of the European football organisations on the use of bans against away supporters.
The agreement was formally adopted in Madrid on September 3, 2026.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Waldemar Brandt, Unsplash / Elio Santos
