Europe's football ultras, police hold first-ever conference

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

VIENNA, Feb 17, 2010 (AFP) - So-called "ultra" or hardcore football fans and police met here Wednesday for a two-day conference aimed at boosting cooperation and mutual understanding between the two sides.

The conference, the first of its kind, was organised by the Council of Europe and brought together police officials, representatives of some 15 fan groups and officials from the European and world football bodies UEFA and FIFA.

There were also representatives from Poland and Ukraine, joint hosts for the 2011 Euro soccer championships.

"We want to contribute to a modified view on ultras and to differentiate them from hooligans," Daniela Wurbs of the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) told the conference.

"We want to start a dialogue on an equal footing," she said.

"Security and violence should not be the main issue. We want to talk about good practice examples, as well."

So-called "ultra" or hardcore fans are characterized by banner-waving, chants and their use of fireworks during matches, but are keen to distance themselves from hooligans.

"Dialogue, transparency and respect should be the rules for our 'friendly match'," said Ralf-Rene Weingaertner, director for sports and youth at the Council of Europe.

Wurbs criticised the recent Austrian ban on fireworks at matches, following a similar move in Germany.

"It's a very unfortunate move by the Austrian government" which could fuel anti-police sentiment among ultras, she said.

That issue and other means of boosting security at sporting events would form the focus of various workshops during the two-day meet.

Wurbs called for frank dialogue between fans and police.

"We wish to see the police speak as honestly, as we will do," she said.

University professor Gunter Pilz, author of a first Europe-wide study on extreme fan culture, said: "We don't need tougher rules or more police, but more communication between the two sides."