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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League organised a three-day sports writers’ workshop in Harare last week that covered a variety of topical issues.

Some of topics included qualities of a good coach, management of competitions, role of the media in football development, qualities of club management, fair play code, media operations, football management as well as crowd management, which was presented by retired referee and senior police officer Brighton Mudzamiri.

The presentations were rich, Mudzamiri’s presentation could not have come at an opportune time following some violent clashes at football matches this season.

Maybe club administrators and some security personnel need to do a comprehensive course on crowd management.

Below is Mudzamiri’s presentation on crowd management:

Crowd management is defined as techniques used to manage lawful public assemblies before, during and after the event for the purpose of maintaining their lawful status and safety.

Crowd control is defined as techniques used to address unlawful public disorder, including a display of formidable numbers of police officers, crowd containment, dispersal tactics and multiple arrest procedures.

Underlying principles of crowd management

-Make the day an event not just a match
-Customer service and quality
-Do not assume that fans misbehave, but based on your own risk assessment, always be prepared
-Only target those that pose a threat to others
-Treat fans as you wish to be treated
-Treat fans with respect
-Be friendly to the fans
-Be helpful

What makes a Difference?

-Stewarding
-Policing
-Cleaning
-Maintenance
-Security
-Segregation
-Rehearsed contingency plans

Information to fans

-How to enter the stadium.
-How to get to the correct seats/area.
-How to get to stadium facilities.
-Stadium code of conduct e.g. prohibited items like weapons, or other dangerous objects.
-Unauthorised drugs.
-Under the influence of alcohol.

Prevention of Provocative and Aggressive Actions

-Political Action

The promotion or announcement of political or religious messages or any other political or religious means, is strictly prohibited before, during and after matches.

The match organisers have to guarantee full safety and security of the spectators in cooperation with the local security and the police in the stadium or its vicinity.

-Provocative and Aggressive Action and Racism/Tribalism

The event organiser must guarantee in cooperation with the local security authorities that in the stadium or its immediate vicinity, supporters do not act in a provocative or aggressive manner.

This includes unacceptable levels of verbal provocation or aggression towards players, match officials or opposing fans, racist/ tribalistic behaviours and banners.

If such actions arise, the event organiser and the police must intervene over the public address and immediately remove any offensive material.

Stewards must draw the attention of the police to serious acts of misbehaviours, including racist or tribalism insults so that offenders may be removed from the stadium.

Supporter Liaison Officer

All associations shall employ a supporter liaison officer.

-All clubs shall employ a supporter liaison officer.
-The supporter liaison officer shall be responsible for ensuring that all measures are taken to ensure supporters are prevented from engaging in any behaviour that may threaten safety or security inside or outside the stadium.
-The supporter liaison officer shall also make special efforts to identify and eliminate any violent tendencies and to eradicate or at least reduce existing prejudices.

The supporter liaison officer shall take the following means to meet the above objectives:

a. Engage in dialogue with spectators and disseminate information.

b. Mix with spectators and encourage sensible behaviour.

c. Assist stadium stewards and police in dealing with unruly fans.

d. Attend events with club supporter liaison officers.

High–risk matches

-It is the primary responsibility of the league to classify a match as high risk.

This decision shall be taken as soon as possible after consultation with police service, in particular the overall head of police services.

-Strict segregation of fans by allocating

a. Sectors

b. Reserve empty stadium sectors between dangerous spectator sectors.

c. Increase the number of stewards and police officers.

d. Accompany fans of the visiting club out of the stadium

e. Employ a stadium announcer from the visiting club

@skhumoyo2000.