The package of measures to deal with fan violence was discussed in the competent committee for Educational Affairs of the Parliament, with the Minister of Sports Yiannis Vroutsis as rapporteur. Ta measures, include cameras at the stadiums, identification at the tickets. and have been included in the draft law of the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports “Sanction of the Legislative Content Act from 11.12.2023 “Emergency measures prohibiting the sale of tickets and the presence of spectators at football matches for imperative reasons of protection of public order and security” (A’ 203) – Taking measures to prevent and deal with violence in the context of sports meetings and other regulations of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports”. In particular, Mr. Vroutsis after noting that notes the common anxiety of the parties to deal with the phenomenon of fan violence, describe the measures:

Cameras in stadiums

In the bill, it is described in detail how the cameras will work, which areas of the field they will focus on, the accuracy of the recordings but also where this material will be sent. He pointed out that “for the first time the relevant Ministerial Decision describing the technical characteristics of the placement and processing of the camera material is already ready”as well as that “because we want allies in this effort and the PAEs who assume very important responsibilities from now on, already technical echelons from three ministries have visited all 14 Super League stadiums showing the good intention we have and we are not surprising anyone, while there will also be a second round of meetings”.

Identification on tickets

With the proposed provisions in the bill, Mr. Vroutsis said that “today in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Governance and with the help of technology, we are coming and making an application through the mobile phone that will also have the electronic ticket, while at the same time there is the possibility of verifying the identity through the police ID”. This way we will know each and every one who enters the stadium. The deputy minister said that “one of the breeding grounds for delinquency is anonymity”. This measure, Mr. Vroutsis explained, also exists in other countries. For the entry of minors up to 15 years of age, he clarified that they will enter with a parent or companion who will have both tickets and will be identified. About the fans from abroad said that cthere will be a special provision for them and these administrative measures are national measures that we can take”. Mr. Vroutsis said that there is an end to the “bukes” of fans and the excessive number of fans.

Committee to Combat Violence

The Permanent Committee for Combating Violence, an existing body which, however, acquires a staff form on the issue of delinquent behaviours. We give, said Mr. Vroutsis, “great importance to DEAB for this and we are upgrading it, we are reducing the number so that it is a flexible and decisive body and from now on it will play a role in monitoring persistent behaviors as well as administrative fines”. Mr. Vroutsis underlined that the penalties that will be imposed by the DEAB concern “bundle of penalties of competence and not with elements of subjectivity” for all related matters. Already all PAEs said the deputy minister “have been informed about the whole package of measures, they have weighed them and they have understood that we are not playing”.

e-Kouros

This is a major reform, said the deputy minister, as “we will learn for the first time, record and measure sports across the country.” The first exhibition will be presented at the end of February and for the first time there will be data for all sports per Prefecture and per Territory. It is, said Mr. Vroutsis, a major structural change in the sports ecosystem in our country, an important mapping tool for everyone and for all sports.