LYON, France – Global experts in sporting event security gathered at INTERPOL to share best practices based on their previous experience in providing physical and cybersecurity at major sporting and other events.
The two-day (29 and 30 October) sports legislation expert group meeting brought together some 14 experts from 10 countries to discuss the challenges posed by providing security at large-scale sporting events, and how they have developed legal frameworks to better address these challenges.
The meeting was held under the auspices of INTERPOL’s Project Stadia. Funded by Qatar, Project Stadia aims to create a centre of excellence and a good practice platform to help INTERPOL’s member countries in planning and executing physical security and cybersecurity preparations for major sporting events. The 10-year project will culminate with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“We are honoured to have the support of INTERPOL and its member countries to help us shape our legislative framework in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in 2022,” said Major Ali Abdulla Saad Al-Kuwari, Head of the Technical Section, Legal Affairs Department of the Internal Security Force of Qatar.
“Project Stadia also encompasses many other components which will help us organize for the World Cup, such as developing a strategic training plan and a knowledge management system, as well as the support of two others expert groups active in the fields of venue security and cybersecurity,” he added.
“It is encouraging to see the positive support from our member countries in sharing their knowledge and good practices in the area of sports legislation and in working together to create a global approach to tackling the main challenges to event security,” said Michael O’Connell, INTERPOL’s Director of Operational Police Support and Head of Project Stadia.
Countries attending the meeting were: Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Morocco, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa and Switzerland. The expert group will meet on a yearly basis until 2022.