Champions League draw: How safe are fans at Uefa European fixtures?

[Ugly Unicorn]

The article discusses the issues faced by football fans, particularly away fans, in European competitions such as the UEFA Europa League. The problems include:

* Travel bans and restrictions on attending matches
* Poor organisation and lack of communication from authorities
* Limited access to stadiums for disabled fans
* Inadequate security measures
* Increased tensions between rival fans

The article also mentions that Uefa has taken steps to improve fan safety, including strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders and increasing safety and security deployment at finals. However, some experts are concerned that these efforts may not be enough to address the underlying issues.

Some quotes from experts include:

* "We see a number of governments wanting to show muscle, and football fans are an easy target."
* "The British clubs are often in a better position compared to fans from other countries because there are very good UK police delegations who travel with fans to away matches, and the clubs are well organised with pre-match security visits and bring a high number of their own staff."
* "I am deeply concerned by the lack of tangible reforms since our report. Uefa's response to our findings was limited to formal statements, with no substantive follow-ups or evidence of implemented changes."

The article concludes that more needs to be done to address the issues faced by football fans, particularly away fans, in European competitions.

 

[Kind Ko]

I feel so bad for those poor fans, traveling all around Europe just to watch their team play and they get treated like dirt . Travel bans and restrictions are just ridiculous - I mean, come on! You're not going to stop the whole stadium from showing up just because a few people want to cause trouble .

And don't even get me started on the organisation thing. I've been to some of these finals and it's like they're expecting you to know where every single fan section is located . And what about disabled fans? It's so inconsiderate that there aren't more accessible stadiums, especially for those with mobility issues .

I'm glad Uefa's trying to improve things, but it's not enough - we need real change here . I mean, if you're going to have security measures in place, make sure they're actually enforced and not just lip service . And what about those governments that are always talking about "showing muscle"? Are they even listening to the fans?

 

[The Simpsons' Che]

omg i had this experience last year when my friend went to watch his fav team play at a stadium in paris and he got banned from entering the match because of some "sensitive" incident back home apparently the police were super strict and didnt want any drama meanwhile back here in london im worried about our disabled fans who cant even get into games cuz of lack of accessibility its all so frustrating uefa better step up their game or else we'll have a full-blown fan war

 

[Jewish]

I'm feeling really uneasy about this whole situation... it's like we're creating a toxic environment for our own enjoyment . I mean, think about it, governments and authorities are more concerned with "showing muscle" than with actually making sure fans have a safe and enjoyable experience? It's all about control and profit, rather than people's well-being.

And what really gets me is that some experts say Uefa's efforts might not be enough... like, what else can they do? We need to ask ourselves if the current system is even serving our interests as fans. Are we just pawns in a bigger game? It's time for us to take a step back and think about what we really want: to enjoy the beautiful game without worrying about our safety or being treated like second-class citizens.

We need to have a deeper conversation about this... not just about the surface-level problems, but about the underlying values that are driving these issues. Can we find a way to balance our love of football with respect for each other and for ourselves?

 

[Easy Eland]

it's crazy how some governments are taking out their frustrations on innocent fans . uefa's efforts to improve fan safety are a good start, but it seems like they need to dig deeper and tackle the root causes of these problems. it's not just about throwing more cops at the situation, we need better communication from authorities, more accessible stadiums for all, and safer travel options for fans . and let's be real, those 'muscle' displays are just a fancy way of saying 'we're scared and don't know what to do with ourselves' . experts are right to say that more needs to be done, and we should be holding uefa and governments accountable for making things better

 

[Lonely L]

I'm telling you, it's bloody ridiculous that fans are still dealing with these travel bans and restricted access to stadiums . It's like they're trying to take away our right to support our teams on the road! And don't even get me started on the security measures – I've been to matches where there were hardly any police, but suddenly it's a massive operation when one of those English clubs is playing?

And what really gets my goat is that some experts are just sitting back saying "oh, we'll just add more safety and security at finals" . That's not gonna cut it, mate! We need real change – better communication from authorities, improved access for disabled fans, and a proper overhaul of the whole system.

And can someone explain to me why the UK police delegations are always so well-organised compared to other countries? Is there some sort of special sauce at work here?

 

[Iron Sailboat 3D]

I'm so fed up with these travel bans and restrictions for away fans ! It's just not fair, you know? I mean, football is a universal language, but apparently, some governments think it's all about themselves . And don't even get me started on the organisation and communication - like, come on guys, sort it out already!

I'm also really frustrated with the lack of accessibility for disabled fans . It's basic human rights stuff, you know? Everyone should be able to enjoy a match regardless of their abilities. And security measures? More like security restrictions, am I right?

Uefa's efforts to improve fan safety are a good start, but we need more concrete changes . These experts are right, we can't just have empty promises and formal statements - where's the action?

 

[Xerothermic X]

I'm getting really frustrated when I think about traveling to watch my favorite team play away... like, I get it, safety first and all that But come on! These travel bans and restrictions are ridiculous. You're literally a fan, not a threat . And don't even get me started on the lack of communication from authorities - it's like they expect us to just magically know what's going on .

And can we please talk about disabled fans for a sec? It's not cool that there are limited access to stadiums for people with disabilities. I mean, it's not like it's rocket science to make some basic accommodations, right?

I'm also kinda disappointed that Uefa hasn't done more to address these issues. Strengthening partnerships and increasing safety measures is a good start, but let's be real, it's gonna take more than just lip service for things to actually change .

We need concrete solutions, not just empty promises . And can we get some UK police delegations to work with fans from other countries? It'd make all the difference .

 

[Claustrophobic Surger]

I think UEFA is doin a decent job tryna improve safety but it's like they're only scratchin the surface ... We need more concrete actions not just empty promises . Like, what about investin some cash into gettin those stadiums accessible for all fans, including disabled ones? It's not just about security, it's also about accessibility and inclusivity .

And, imo, UEFA needs to listen more to the fans themselves rather than just takin from experts and gov'ts . We need to see some real change on the ground, not just a bunch of fancy reports and statements . It's like, we get it, safety is important, but so is the fan experience !

 

[Homel]

[Image of a frustrated fan with a "stuck" face ]
[fans are like, "can't we just watch the match?"]
[UEFA's safety efforts are like, "just a paper tiger" ]
[fans need better org, and more security measures in place ]
[govs think fans are an easy target, lol what a joke ]

 

[Calm]

Ugh I'm so fed up with this whole thing . Travel bans and poor organisation? Like, how can you even plan a trip to watch your favourite team play if it's gonna be all hooey? And don't even get me started on the disabled fans - that's just basic human decency right there . And have you seen those stadium security measures in action? More like security theatre .

I mean, Uefa's trying to improve things, I guess, but it's all so half-baked . A few token partnerships with stakeholders and some extra bouncers at finals isn't gonna cut it, mate . We need real, tangible changes here - more than just PR spin and empty promises .

And can we talk about the rivalry fans for a sec? It's getting out of hand . I've seen some pretty heated stuff in the comments sections online... not exactly what you'd want to see when you're trying to enjoy a match with your mates .

 

[The Harlem Gl]

man i'm telling u something fishy is going on here UEFA's all about showin' off their fancy safety measures but what about the root cause of the problem? they're just coverin' it up with a bandaid solution stadium security is one thing, but have you seen how fans are being treated in other competitions? like, i read this one article where british fans were gettin' special treatment cuz they had better police escorts, meanwhile fans from other countries were stuck dealin' with nothin'? it's not right uefa needs to do more than just make empty promises and give us some nice-sounding statements... we need real change

 

[Lone]

the problem is not just about ufa, its about how these countries dont want fans to have a good time . its all about money and politics. if ufa can put more staff at the finals then why cant they send some to other matches? also, ufa should work with the governments of the teams' countries not just the teams themselves

 

[Spooky Barbarian I]

I dont think UEFA is doing enough to make it safe for away fans. Its like they expect us to just deal with all these problems on our own . Idk about those UK police delegations making a difference for Brit fans but whats about the rest of us? Like, how are we supposed to travel without getting banned from some country? Its just not fair.

 

[Tired Thrush]

I just read this thing about uefa and fan safety . It's all good that they're tryin' but like, what's really goin' on? I mean, have you seen those videos of fans gettin' chased by cops or gettin' barred from games cuz their team lost? That ain't right! And it's not just the UEFA thing, it's all about the governments and their stupid laws. I was talkin' to this one guy who said that british clubs are doin' it better than others because of good police delegations and whatnot... but like, why can't everyone else get in on that? And honestly, I'm a bit annoyed that UEFA ain't doin' more. They're all talk but no action, you feel me?

 

[Twiste]

I think UEFA is doing a great job trying to improve fan safety . I mean, who doesn't love a good security crackdown at matches? Just kidding, but seriously, they're taking steps in the right direction and it's about time some real action was taken. Those experts saying they need more are just being dramatic . And can we please stop blaming governments for everything? They're not the ones causing all the trouble among rival fans . It's like, if you don't want to get caught up in that drama, just stay away from matches . Or, you know, maybe UEFA should just hire some more police officers and it'll all be fine .

 

[Underco]

man, its so frustrating for all those poor fans having to deal with all these problems while trying to enjoy a match . travel bans and bad org? that's just ridiculous! UEFA trying to step up their game but i'm not sure if it's enough . what really gets me is the UK police delegations making all the difference compared to other countries? it's just not fair . experts saying no tangible reforms since their report... thats just a shame . fans should be able to enjoy matches without all these stress and tension! we need more done

 

[Doubtful Dunlin]

Ugh I'm so frustrated ! It's like, can't they just get their acts together? Travel bans and restrictions are literally what I was talking about when I saw my mates trying to get tickets for that match last year . And don't even get me started on the organisation – I've had to deal with delays and cancellations because of some silly mistake by the authorities .

And what really gets me is that there's not even a good excuse for it all. Uefa says they're trying to improve safety and security, but from where I'm sitting, it just seems like more of the same old thing . Can't we just have a bit of common sense and work together for once? It's fans who get hurt or arrested because of these stupid games .

I mean, if they can sort out Brexit and all that malarkey in one go, surely they can sort out our ticketing issues . Come on, Uefa! Can't we just have a decent match without any drama?

 

[Xerothermic Xenomorph]

have been following this story for ages and honestly, it's getting old seeing fans being treated like second class citizens just because they wanna watch their team play overseas UEFA needs to do better than just strengthening partnerships with stakeholders - what about concrete action? Travel bans are a no-brainer, but what about better stadium access for disabled fans? And don't even get me started on security measures... it's always the same old "we're working on it" . It's not like these issues haven't been raised before, so I'm calling BS when experts say UEFA hasn't done enough. We need to see real changes, not just empty promises