FC Groningen must take more measures to prevent misbehavior from supporters. Rioters who misbehave in the Euroborg should be dealt with consistently and harshly.
The way in which security is organized in the stadium is insufficient to prevent and combat violent incidents. This has emerged from an analysis by the external agency CrowdProfessionals, which investigated safety in and around the Euroborg stadium during FC Groningen matches. This was commissioned by the municipality of Groningen and FC Groningen.
The researchers determine that FC Groningen is not getting enough grip on rioters in the first ring of the North Stand. The safety organization of the club leaves much to be desired. Important positions are insufficiently filled and there are too few deployable stewards. Security guards are not resilient enough to deal with the hard core. Security guards are needed ‘who match the target group in terms of competences and profile’.
‘Security guards who are more physically skilled’
According to the researchers, it is unwise to hire stewards and security guards from neighborhoods where the supporters also live. Consider hiring another supplier who offers security personnel ‘who are also physically more skilled’. In any case, according to Crowdprofessionals, it should be possible to maintain a very clear line for risk supporters: zero tolerance. ‘Wrong is wrong and there is no gray!’
Administrative tensions rose
After a disastrous season with relegation and supporters’ riots, administrative tensions between FC Groningen and the municipality also increased. The main recommendation of the researchers is to close ranks as a club and local government with the police and the Public Prosecution Service and to act together. So don’t blame each other afterwards, but make clear agreements about the course of events around competitions.
Investigate ‘leaks’ in stadium
In addition, unwanted persons and goods must be prevented from entering the stadium illegally beforehand. Suspicions of ‘possible leaks’ in the outer ring should be investigated. For example, the researchers were told that supporters probably have keys to the stadium and can also enter their own storage facility. This could allow unwanted materials to enter the stadium.
Also scissor fences for the grandstand?
It is also important that there is a hard separation between the first and second ring of the North Stand. This is necessary because too many supporters come down from the second ring. It is regularly crowded there, which means that control and safety are at stake. If this separation is made, then catering on the second ring is desirable. It is proposed to place ‘scissor fences’ in front of the grandstand. These are metal fences that are unfolded as soon as the match starts. They are located between the grandstand and the LED boarding and form an obstacle for field entrants.
Rail seats and nets for the North stand
The researchers advise FC Groningen to place ‘rail seats’ on the North Stand. A metal frame will be placed between rows of supporters, who want to stand despite the presence of seats, preventing falls. Another recommendation is to hang nets in front of the first ring of the North Stand. They stop objects thrown at the field.
Police investigate threats
Striking in the report is the report that the detective is investigating serious threats from a certain supporter group. Because of these threats, the police have not been going to away games since January. The question is who should consider FC Groningen from the supporter ranks as a discussion partner. It is unclear in the study whether incidents in the Euroborg can be attributed to two groups (GHC and Ultras). FC Groningen has indicated that it does not want to sit down with supporters who misbehave.
The CrowdProfessionals research also shows that employees who maintain intensive contacts with supporter groups (Supporters Liaison Officers) do not feel free to name names and back numbers after riots. Where this is expected, it leads to distance, misunderstanding and reduced trust in each other, according to the researchers. Nevertheless, they believe that the agreements should be such that these SLOs must always provide the club with the right formation.
Texts on banners
Finally, the external agency advises the club to apply rules for banners brought along. They must not be offensive, discriminatory or insulting. It is known that the municipality was annoyed by a banner about former technical director Fledderus recently: ‘Fledderus: persona non grata’.
FC Groningen indicates that there are about 90 current stadium bans. New applications to the KNVB to deny rioters access to the stadium are being processed. The club expects to have about 120 to 130 stadium bans at the start of the new season.
‘Development of report takes time’
In a response, FC Groningen says that it will discuss the recommendations and considerations made by the researchers in the report with the municipality. The implementation of this will take time, according to the club. Choices must also be made collectively. Wouter Gudde, general manager of FC Groningen, calls the recommendations in the report open for discussion. According to him, a safe stadium visit also has the highest priority for FC Groningen. “It is a balanced and structured report, which we can use to get started.”
Appreciation for researchers
Gudde appreciates the short period within which this report was completed. He thanks CrowdProfessionals for the professionalism and decisiveness. The intention is that FC Groningen and the municipality will draw up an action plan to improve safety. ,,We work together and are confident that we can organize the competitions in Euroborg in a safe, hospitable and attractive manner. Together we will do everything we can to make the competitions in Euroborg a party again.”
The city council of Groningen will consider the investigation on Wednesday morning.