Risk game

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term risk game (also high risk game and high security game ) describes in football games with an increased security risk . Due to the suspected dangerous situation , these games require a high level of commitment from security and police forces . The resulting costs cause controversial discussions between representatives from politics , football associations and clubs and the police.

term

In the official language of the DFB , games "with increased risk" are spoken of. Such games exist when there is “a sufficient probability that a particular dangerous situation will arise”. The home club or the DFB make the decision as to whether a game is to be viewed as a “risk game”. The visiting club as well as the security organs may express requests.

This is particularly often the case if there is a rivalry between the two clubs (for example in the case of a derby ), but also if at least one of the two supporters has an increased proportion of fans willing to use violence .

Controversies in Germany

In the past there have been demands from the police unions , primarily the police union (GdP) and the German police union (DPolG), that the DFB or the league association of the two German professional leagues (DFL) should pay off the costs of police operations should participate in football matches. The chairman of the DPolG, Rainer Wendt , said in December 2009 on the sidelines of the conference of interior ministers that 50 million euros per season from the DFB and DFL would be an appropriate contribution. The then GdP chairman Konrad Freiberg also demanded that, in the worst case, games must be canceled if violence is announced in advance. Wendt repeated his request in January 2011. The new GdP chairman Bernhard Witthaut, on the other hand, rejected this.

The clubs and the DFB, on the other hand, argue that the football clubs are actively involved in ensuring security, for example by providing stewards, and are already contributing to the financing of the police by paying taxpayers' money. Furthermore, the actual costs for the police operations could not be specifically determined.

In addition, there are regular discussions about how safety can be guaranteed at football games in general and particularly at risk games. For example, demands from the police or politicians for the use of face scanners or the imposition of lifelong stadium bans caused incomprehension on the part of fan representatives.

Another controversy is the assessment of the potential for violence around soccer games. Before the start of the 2011/2012 season, Rainer Wendt was quoted as saying that he considered the 2nd Bundesliga to be a potential “chaos league” with regard to the risk games to be expected. The DFB described these statements as "polarizing".

Bremen advance

In 2014, the state of Bremen was the first state to surprise with its own initiative. The “Bremer Weg” stipulates that part of the costs of police operations at football matches will be transferred to the German Football League DFL. Among other things, league president Reinhard Rauball criticized Bremen's attempt to involve clubs in the costs. Bremen, however, went it alone: ​​In a first step, the citizens supported the Senate's plans to include the German Football League (DFL) in the costs of police operations in risky games. The initiative was then discussed in the Budget and Finance Committee. With the votes of the red-green government coalition, the citizens of Bremen passed the controversial law in October 2014. In future, the DFL will pay for police operations at risk games in Bremen. In German football, the move is perceived as breaking a taboo. So far, all costs for security outside the stadiums have been borne by public funds. The state of Bremen is confident of a legal dispute with the league association. After the unsuccessful advance in 2014, Bremen tried again in 2015 to bill the DFB for a quarter of a million euros.

In May 2017, the DFL prevailed before the Administrative Court of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a lawsuit against a fee notice, but the Higher Administrative Court of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen decided in February 2018 on appeal that the State of Bremen should charge the German Football League fees for stakes in high-risk games may require. The Federal Administrative Court confirmed the end of March 2019, the legal opinion of the OVG in principle and referred for unexplained questions of detail the case back to the profession instance.

NRW advance

North Rhine-Westphalia has been using fewer police in its own project since 2014, but only for non-risk games. A test phase has expired in North Rhine-Westphalia. In the first games of the 2014/2015 Bundesliga season, NRW used fewer police officers for non-risk games. Interior Minister Ralf Jäger (SPD) has already drawn up a first balance sheet and sees the pilot project as a success: "In the league games recorded, we have succeeded in reducing police operations by around 21 percent," said Jäger.

Comparison of the models

Both approaches - the "Bremer Weg" as well as the "NRW Advance" - have similarities, but they clearly differ in one point: NRW starts with the non-risk games, Bremen with the "risk games", i.e. Bundesliga games, that harbor the potential for violence and therefore require a large police force.

North Rhine-Westphalia Bremen
target Lower police costs and less fan violence Lower police costs and less fan violence
problem Budgetary position Budgetary position
strategy Fewer cops in non-risk games. The stakes remain untouched in derbies and other risky games. Invoice to the DFL for risk games
Reason According to analyzes, some Bundesliga games remain so peaceful that hardly any police officers are needed. The risk games cause high costs because up to six times as many police officers are on duty as in normal games. Bremen cannot pay for the overtime and therefore wants the DFL to share the costs.
Specialty Because six NRW clubs are playing in the Bundesliga this season, the number of games has increased by ten percent. "The NRW police already need around 30 percent of all deployment times for safety during soccer games," says Jäger. Compared to other federal states, Bremen has to use more police officers for risk games because the Weser Stadium is so centrally located. This makes it easier for fan groups to meet.
Mutual assessment NRW on the Bremen model: "We have a common interest in keeping chaos and violent criminals out of the stadiums. We cannot achieve that by issuing bills." (Interior Minister Ralf Jäger) Bremen on the NRW model: "Completely wrong way. I see the police officers' own protection in danger above all. Less police means more and more injuries in their own ranks." (Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer)
(First) reactions DFL / DFB The DFL reacted cautiously, but called the considerations as fundamentally understandable. DFB: "It shows that the fans are ready to take on more responsibility." The DFL threatens to take legal action. The DFB canceled an international match in Bremen as a penalty.
Reaction citizens / fans There have been positive reactions from fan clubs. Tenor: Now the fans could show that it is possible without a large police presence. But some also see the danger that violent criminals will take advantage of the situation. According to surveys, there is support for the Bremen push. A good three-quarters of German citizens are in favor of Bundesliga clubs paying the police costs. Fan clubs consider this route to be “populist and excessive”.
Result In the pilot phase, NRW said it had reduced police operations by more than 20 percent. The project will probably be extended. Bremen sent a first invoice to the DFL in December 2014 after the game against Hannover 96. This was followed by a judicial dispute in which the Federal Administrative Court basically confirmed the arguments of the Hanseatic City of Bremen in March 2019.

Situation in other countries

England

In England, rigorous measures are being taken by the FA Football Association to prevent “risk games”. In recent years, for example, the measures taken against fan riots have been tightened. Some of the guilty parties are to be banned from football for life through stadium bans and other measures. The ex- DFB security chief Helmut Spahn describes the situation in England as follows: “There are rigorous rules there. English stadiums only have seats, alcohol consumption is generally prohibited and other drinks are also not allowed to be taken to the seat. In the event of violations, there is an immediate stadium ban. In addition, there are hardly any flags or banners to be seen. If a fan enters the field there, he must expect criminal consequences. We have to ask ourselves in Germany whether we want it to be as extreme as that. "Spahn has already found the answer for himself:" I would find such a development particularly unfortunate for the fans who behave decently and create a positive atmosphere. That is why I think the mood in Germany, if everything stays peaceful, is even better than in England. "

In Great Britain, the state pays for all police operations in public, even if they have to do with the game - for example in train stations, on the way to the stadium or in the city centers before and after games. "Football fans and football clubs pay taxes and expect a performance for it," said a Premier League spokesman. The clubs themselves have to pay for security on the private property of the clubs, both for their own stewards and for police officers. The clubs discuss with the police and local authorities how many and which security guards are necessary.

France

For years, the French football clubs have had to contribute to the costs of police operations in and on the stadiums. The provision of a police officer, for example, is billed at 20 euros per hour - if more than 50 police officers are necessary, it becomes more expensive. According to the Ministry of the Interior, however, only a fraction of the total costs are charged in order not to endanger the existence of smaller clubs in particular. Organizers of other sporting events, cultural events and demonstrations are also affected by the reimbursement obligation.

Italy

In Italy, “risk games” are favored primarily by the structural situation of the stadiums. Many stages are in poor shape. “Compared to the Veltins Arena at Schalke, our stadiums look like they are from the Middle Ages,” said Juve defender Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. Since the late 1980s, when the country was preparing for the 1990 World Cup, many Italians have been modernizing No stages. This deficit is also noticeable in terms of security. Riots are far more common in Italy than in Spain or England. The following measures have been introduced in Italy to prevent violence:

  • If you want to buy a ticket for a football match in Italy, you have to identify yourself.
  • The buyer's name is then printed on the ticket.
  • When checking access to the stadium, the spectator must identify himself a second time. This is to ensure that no unwanted people get into the stadium.

Netherlands

There is an express court procedure in the Netherlands. A judge is present in the stadium and can make judgments immediately if necessary.

Switzerland

In the aftermath of the riots on May 13, 2006 at a high-risk game in Basel, the requirement for guest fans to identify themselves was introduced in Switzerland and suspended a few weeks later following protests by fans. A survey conducted by the Schweizer Tagesanzeiger among readers in 2009 revealed the following opinions:

  • What action should be taken first before a risk game?
    • 1. Tickets only with ID (942 people / 99.2 percent)
    • 2. Stadium ban for convicted hooligans (7 people / 0.7 percent)
    • 3. Escort for guest fans (1 person / 0.1 percent)
  • What should be implemented next during a risk game?
    • 1. Zero tolerance towards violent spectators (820 people / 86.5 percent)
    • 2. Video surveillance (109 people / 11.5 percent)
    • 3. Strengthened security measures (19 people / 2 percent)
  • What action should be taken first after a risk game?
    • 1. Harsher penalties against rioters (562 people / 59.1 percent)
    • 2. Recording of the rioters in a database (210 people / 22.1 percent)
    • 3. Exclusion of violent offenders within fan groups (131 people / 13.8 percent)
    • 4. Escorts for guest fans (48 people / 5 percent)

Spain

In Spain, the state pays for police operations. Private security services in particular ensure order inside the stadiums. Because the tickets are mainly sold to domestic spectators, there is hardly any confrontation between opposing fans. When, for example, Real Madrid plays against FC Barcelona at El Clásico, Real fans are almost exclusively in the stands at the Bernabéu Stadium and only Barça supporters at Camp Nou.

See also

literature

  • Ronny Blaschke: In the shadow of the game: Racism and rampage in football . The workshop, Göttingen 2007, ISBN 978-3-89533-555-6 .
  • Bill Buford, Wolfgang Krege (translator): Horny for violence: Among hooligans . Goldmann Verlag, Munich 2010, ISBN 978-3-442-15628-3 .
  • Gunter A. Pilz: Sport, fair play and violence: Contributions to youth work and prevention in sport . Arete Verlag, Hildesheim 2013, ISBN 978-3-942468-13-8 .
  • Kevin Böttger: Violence, fan culture and security in German football . disserta Verlag, Hamburg 2014, ISBN 978-3-95425-712-6 .
  • Dirk Rasch: Save football! Between tradition, commerce and riot . The workshop, Göttingen 2014, ISBN 978-3-7307-0132-4 .

Web links

Wiktionary: Risk game  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Der Tagesspiegel: High risk game in Bremen. Higher Administrative Court: DFL must contribute to police costs . February 21, 2018. Online at www.tagesspiegel.de. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ Controversial new regulation: Bremen brings police cost law on the way. In: Spiegel . Spiegel-Verlag , September 25, 2014, accessed October 24, 2014 .
  3. ↑ Implementation Regulations . (PDF, 3.5 MB): www.dfb.de . Deutscher Fußball-Bund , p. 108 , accessed on February 9, 2012 : “ 1. Games with an increased risk are games where, based on general experience or current knowledge, there is a sufficient probability that a particular dangerous situation will arise. 2. The determination that there is a game with increased risk is primarily the responsibility of the local club, which must make the decision as soon as possible after hearing the security organs - in particular the police chief. The clubs are obliged to notify the DFB of their decision immediately. The same applies if a corresponding suggestion by the visiting club or the security organs has not been complied with. The DFB central administration is entitled to classify a game as a "game with increased risk" based on its own knowledge. "
  4. ↑ Police want to ask clubs to pay. In: focus . SID , December 3, 2009, accessed February 17, 2012 .
  5. ↑ Wendt insists on participation. In: n-tv . January 12, 2001, accessed February 17, 2012 .
  6. ↑ Quarrel in the uniformed block. In: n-tv . June 22, 2001. Retrieved February 17, 2012 .
  7. ↑ Peer Vorderwülbecke: Financial own goal? (No longer available online.) In: Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk . May 25, 2011, formerly in the original ; Retrieved February 17, 2012 .  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.mdr.de
  8. ↑ Markus Völker: Measured measurement. In: taz . February 3, 2012, accessed February 17, 2012 .
  9. ↑ Police consider Second League to be Chaos League. In: The West . SID , July 11, 2011, accessed February 17, 2012 .
  10. ^ Football - Rauball to Bremen police model: "The wrong way!" (No longer available online.) In: yahoo.com . SID , October 9, 2014, archived from the original on October 21, 2014 ; accessed on October 13, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / de.eurosport.yahoo.com
  11. ↑ Law passed: Bremen asks DFL to pay for police operations. In: Spiegel . Spiegel-Verlag , October 22, 2014, accessed on October 24, 2014 .
  12. ↑ against Gladbach DFL is to pay up to 250,000 euros for the Bremen police operation, rp-online.de from May 7, 2015, accessed June 7, 2015  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.rp-online.de  
  13. ↑ Participation of the Bundesliga clubs in police costs in principle rechtsens deutschlandfunk.de of March 29, 2019, accessed on April 5, 2019
  14. ↑ Bremen's advance in comparison to the NRW project. (No longer available online.) In: Radio Bremen . Radio Bremen, September 26, 2014, archived from the original on October 28, 2014 ; accessed on October 13, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.radiobremen.de
  15. ↑ Heavy rioting at the London Derby. In: Handelsblatt . handelsblatt.com, August 26, 2009, accessed November 23, 2014 .
  16. ↑ Spahn: "Do we want English standards?" In: Spox . spox.com, November 17, 2008, accessed November 23, 2014 .
  17. ↑ a b c Police operations: In France clubs already pay. In: Süddeutsche =. sueddeutsche.de, July 23, 2014, accessed on August 27, 2020 .
  18. ↑ Stages like in the Middle Ages. In: Handelsblatt . Handelsblatt, January 17, 2006, accessed October 26, 2014 .
  19. ↑ a b c 1000 readers demand: «Football tickets only against ID». (No longer available online.) In: Tagesanzeiger =. Tagesanzeiger, May 22, 2009, archived from the original on October 28, 2014 ; accessed on October 28, 2014 .