July 4 – An independent study commissioned by UEFA and Football Supporters Europe has highlighted the health and safety risks of letting off flares and other pyrotechnics in stadiums.
Fans in several countries continue to smuggle all manner of fireworks, flares and smoke bombs into grounds and the 72-page report provides a stark reminder of the dangers this poses. Among the health and safety risks identified are burns to flesh and clothing, acute toxic effects of smoke, direct impact to head and eyes, impact on vision and hearing, and impact of panic.
“All pyrotechnic devices have a ‘safety’ distance for good reason and which will exceed the available space within a crowded stand or stadium. It is not safe, therefore, for any pyrotechnic device to be used in spectator areas within football stadia,” the report states.
Commenting on the report, UEFA vice-president Michael van Praag, chairman of UEFA’s working group on pyrotechnics, revealed incidents are currently being reported at more than a quarter of all European club games. The report, he said, “proves once and for all that there is no place for pyrotechnics in stands.”
Van Praag, president of the Dutch FA, said a culture change was needed in some countries to stamp out the practise.
“UEFA recognises that pyrotechnics might be perceived to be part of fan culture in some countries. Many fans will not change their behaviour overnight. But the message from this report is clear: pyrotechnic use is putting the health, safety and lives of fellow supporters at risk.”
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