Government ministers reviewed the first measures implemented to combat fan violence over the past 15 months, while also presenting new measures during a press conference held at the Ministry of Digital Governance. The briefing included Ministers of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis, Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Vroutsis, and State Minister Akis Skertsos.
Ten new initiatives to combat fan violence
During the press conference, officials expressed the government’s complete satisfaction with the effectiveness of measures taken over the past year and a half to address sports violence. They spoke of establishing a new culture in stadiums and presented data from the implementation of the legislative framework from February 2024 to present. Meanwhile, Mr. Vroutsis outlined ten new initiatives to be implemented in the coming period, including the establishment of administrative sanctions for inciting violence against sports officials.
Initially, State Minister Akis Skertsos spoke of a cohesive and holistic framework that now governs the conduct of football and basketball matches. “Violence is a cancer for democracy and erodes social cohesion. Fan violence is one aspect. This isn’t a problem that can be addressed only through suppression. The policies implemented have produced results through the cooperation of four Ministries,” he emphasized, highlighting that representatives of Swedish police visited Greece to study the best practices of Greek police.
The State Minister noted that the five pillars on which the government focused were:
- Stricter legislation and accelerated case processing
- Surveillance systems and controlled stadium entry
- Personalized tickets
- Automated administrative sanctions
- New police operational planning for addressing fan violence
According to Mr. Skertsos, during the implementation period of new measures, 1,027 matches have been held in Super League, football cup, and Basket League competitions, with DEAV imposing fines totaling 1.374 million euros. More than 2,500 modern high-resolution cameras have been installed covering all stadium areas, over 10 amendments to the penal code have been made toward stricter penalties, and 604 arrests have been made.
Vroutsis: Three sports bills and three laws
Subsequently, Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Vroutsis emphasized: “Many believed the measures we took were ‘more of the same,’ but they were proven wrong. Greek sports are being upgraded and expanded through innovative and reformist initiatives. We have tangible results from law implementation.”
Mr. Vroutsis spoke of a new era in Greek sports, noting: “There were gaps and weaknesses in the law that were addressed jointly with other Ministries. Sports justice delivery took a long time, resulting in the sports community losing trust. We established DEAV, which decides within days, and decisions are indisputable. Cameras were an abstract concept. We identified the gap and cameras gained substantial content, with police responsibility, which has performed excellently. The fan card, an idea by Mr. Kontonis, hadn’t been implemented. We realized it realistically through electronic personalized tickets and identity verification.”
Mr. Vroutsis estimated that government initiatives resulted in “everyone feeling that decisions are fair, even if strict. Everyone feels we’re watching them in stadiums with cameras. We know the name of everyone entering stadiums. Together we shaped the new environment. No one disputes that there’s been a complete transformation in fan behavior at stadiums.”
The Deputy Sports Minister praised the cooperation of football and basketball clubs, clarifying that the law will remain with improvements where needed. “All governments had the thought and good intention, but our two laws addressed sports violence inside stadiums,” Mr. Vroutsis concluded.
Papastergiou: “Technology is here to provide solutions”
“Technology is here to provide solutions to daily life,” emphasized Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, who presented data from implementing sports violence measures: 1,485,012 personalized tickets (67% football, 33% basketball), including 235,340 for minors and 26,018 for foreigners, and 17,139 service requests at support.gov.gr.
“There were 966 cameras that simply existed in stadiums. After February 2024, there are 2,597 high-resolution cameras. Solutions were provided to all existing questions. I emphasize the cooperation of the then Super League administration,” Mr. Papastergiou added, concluding: “Where there’s will, there’s a way.”
Chrysochoidis: Three keys to successful measure implementation
Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis referenced three keys to successful measure implementation: electronic identification, DEAV effectiveness, and operational planning.
Mr. Chrysochoidis particularly emphasized including sports violence violations under organized crime provisions. As he noted, “police operations around stadiums proved these are criminal groups unrelated to sports. These are thugs, drug dealers, and murderers. Operationally, we responded by establishing the Sports Violence Response Subdivision.”
“The time has come to take the next step, after successfully hosting the Conference League final at OPAP Arena. It should now be self-evident that sports unite,” the Public Order Minister concluded.
New initiatives
Giannis Vroutsis presented the ten upcoming new government initiatives:
- Automated administrative sanctions for verbal abuse and inciting violence by officials within stadiums.
- Updating the new Sports Events Security Regulation drafted in 2009.
- Updating DEAV operating regulations and the Special Observer Corps. This represents a structural system change.
- Developing a National Strategy for security, protection, and service at sporting events, including addressing hate speech.
- Implementing sports violence provisions from the National Strategy for Violence Prevention and Juvenile Delinquency.
- Digital platform for banning those sanctioned from sports venues, in cooperation with Sports, Digital Policy, and Justice Ministries.
- Establishing a new Observer Corps with new training framework.
- Training and education for private security personnel, stewards, and security staff.
- Unified police training programs in cooperation with UEFA, FIFA, and specialized services from other European countries.
- Installing and operating an electronic platform supporting the Permanent Committee for Combating Violence in Sports work. This represents the next step in initiatives to strengthen existing legislative measures.
