Policing Football Fans in Europe Case studies of the Euro 2000
and Euro 2004 football championships Prof. Dr. Otto M.J. Adang
http://policestudies.homestead.com
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Adang (1990): Study into initiation and escalation of riots In
the Netherlands and during Euro 88 (Germany) Systematic and
structured observations Over 700 observation hours (around 71
football matches and 139 protest events) Quantitative analysis
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Ethological observations Direct recording of observations
Limited number of well-defined behavioural categories Focus on
interaction Focal group Comparative approach
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Research questions What happens: who uses violence, how many,
what type of violence, against whom, under what circumstances, what
response? What factors influence the initiation and escalation of
violence?
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Main conclusions initiation of violence: frictions young male
syndrome escalation of violence: ingroup/ outgroup mechanisms
opportunity/ perception of risk normal social mechanisms are
operating, but influence of alcohol and drugs
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Police can do a lot to prevent violence, but little to stop it
need to differentiate need to communicate need to observe need for
focused, timely interventions
Stated policy: police tactics non-confrontational: preventive
rather than repressive small units, easily approachable, actively
contacting fans early and focused interventions riot squads out of
sight
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Stated policy: police behavioural profile Police officers: are
service oriented, respectful of other cultures/ nationalities and
unbiased are aware of the importance of information act within
policy, without prejudice act justly and strictly in a friendly and
firm way
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Data collection International monitoring team (all host cities)
questionnaire (individually) summary of team observations Foreign
spotters teams questionnaire (individually) exit interview with
teams Observation team in each host city systematic observations
qualitative diaries
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Results: two clusters, differing especially in: primarily
fullfilled preventive role treated visitors as guests were easily
approachable by fans switched flexibly clearly stated limits of
tolerance
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Public order management during Euro 2004: explicit choice for
low profile approach Adang & Stott
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Data collection Euro 2004 Matches of England, Germany,
Netherlands, Portugal [and Albufeira] Interviews with police and
fans International monitoring team Observation teams (4 * 4) in
host cities: match days and preceding night samples every 15 min,
in between qualitative
Note Extensive use of plainclothes officers Intervention units
out of sight but close Observations of potential incidents Presence
of hooligans
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Conclusions Police strategy and tactics (low profile approach)
succesful and contributed to: Development of common football/ euro
2004 identity Empowerment of non-violence (self-policing among
fans) Contribution of international police cooperation banning
orders community policing approach to international
cooperation
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International police cooperation: differences in approaches
CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE/ INVESTIGATION APPROACH Focus on deterrence
and punishment Covert (no interaction with fans) Indirectly
influencing fan behaviour Focus on individuals/ prominents
COMMUNITY POLICING APPROACH Focus on public order management Open
(interaction with fans) Directly influencing fan behaviour Focus on
behaviour
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Foreign police at work (Braga)
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Strategic principles balance between risk and deployment
dynamic assessment of risk proactive communication facilitation
within limits differentiation
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Trends in public order policing from riot control to public
order management increased international cooperation more
knowledge-based more systematic evaluations search for good
practice (what works) practice and training more informed by more
practically useful research