On 15 October, Dr Walter Rosenkranz hosted a round table on the topic of "Reducing dangerous pyrotechnics in stadiums" at the Austrian Ombudsman Board. Representatives from SK Rapid and FK Austria Wien, the Austrian Football Association, the Bundesliga and the Ministry of the Interior attended. In addition to Ombudsman Rosenkranz and the head of the Ombudsman Board's business unit, speakers from the Ombudsman Board who are involved in the work of the Ombudsman Board's commissions in stadiums also took part.
Austria serves as an example to many other European countries as to how police operations in stadiums should be organised. However, no satisfactory solution has yet been found to the question of how the smuggling of banned pyrotechnics such as firecrackers and larger fireworks into stadiums can be prevented in future. However, the participants at the round table agreed that the problem can only be improved by all stakeholders working together.
The most effective measure in the event of offences against the pyrotechnics regulations - such as storming the pitch, violent excesses, etc. - is considered to be a ban from the stadium. Furthermore, all persons involved in events at stadiums should also be scrutinised more closely in future. The Austrian Ombudsman Board will continue to invite people to such dialogue rounds in the future. After all, it is not only in the interest of the clubs to maintain the image of football as a family-friendly sport.
Photo (c) Austrian Ombudsman Board