Proposals of the EPO on violence – “It is a social problem not… a football one”

A proposal to the vice-president of the commission, Margariti Schina, will be sent by EPO as it informs in its official announcement. The Greek federation points out that the problem of fan violence is not football but political and social and points out that based on this admission it will communicate its… thoughts to Mr. Schinas.

The announcement in detail…

The Hellenic Football Federation as a counterweight and solution to the problem of sports violence pan-European, after relevant consultation, will send to the vice president of the Commission, Mr. Margaritis Schinas, a detailed proposal based on the certainty that the problem of fan violence is not a “football” problem but social and political.

This means that its resolution cannot be related to UEFA or the teams, since they have neither legislative power nor police power. The proposal will be based on the following assumptions:

1. Hooligans are “bred” and strengthened in three places: a) in the stadiums, b) in the “clubs” (link offices) and c) in the strictly defined by them and “concentrated” catering and leisure establishments.

2. The European Union and the national governments are concerned with the legal and constitutionally guaranteed “cutting off” of the hooligan leaders from the general “supporter movement”, as they “euphemistically” call it, while in reality it is not the same.

3. Without their respective leaders, thus without coordination and guidance, hooligans cannot act dangerously in any European country.

4. Instead of many and as a simple example, we mention that France, making use of the existing European legislation, has reinstated border controls with all countries bordering it for the months of September – October 2023, especially in relation to the then held World Rugby Championship.

5. The EPO will assist in every possible way both to inform the European Union regarding the “fan” problem, and to suggest the necessary legislative interventions, both nationally and pan-Europeanly.

6. Finally, the President of EPO asked the President of UEFA, Mr. Ceferin, to conclude a working arrangement between UEFA and EUROPOL (EU criminal information hub), so that UEFA and through it the Federations and through them the teams have secure and timely information on the cross-border movement of risky fans.