Ensuring security in football stadiums is undoubtedly a matter that requires deep study and careful planning to avoid the continuous incidents and problems often encountered at these massive sporting events.
Technology emerges as one of the great solutions to guarantee a high level of security at football stadiums and other sporting events with large attendances, where passion and unleashed emotions often lead to a high number of security incidents and various types of problems.
What is a security plan at football stadiums?
A security plan is a comprehensive strategy designed to prevent, detect, and respond to potential threats during specific events, such as football matches.
Therefore, let’s look at some key components that should be considered in these plans.
Human resources
Proper coordination and optimization of internal resources are crucial for developing the best security plan. This involves actions such as creating an operational structure specifically dedicated to surveillance and providing auxiliary services, ensuring that the personnel are well-prepared and sufficient to cover all the security needs of the event.
Coordination between services
A security plan should include all the means and resources involved, such as state security forces or emergency teams. The goal is to implement communication and interaction systems to achieve better results (optimize resources, coordinate tasks and actions, establish itineraries for teams to and from the stadium, etc.).
Business intelligence tools
With business intelligence platforms, real-time monitoring of everything happening in and around the football stadium can be carried out, allowing for more agile and precise responses to any incidents or problems.
What are the security challenges at football stadiums?
A recent FIFA report highlights serious security challenges at football stadiums, emphasizing the critical need to implement significant improvements to protect attendees at these types of sporting events.
Among the main security challenges are:
- Significant lack of specific security technology, such as a shortage of advanced systems that limits identification capabilities.
- Insufficient security checks when entering stadiums, increasing vulnerability at entrances.
- Lack of security personnel, meaning there are not enough staff on match days, compromising overall security.
- Identifying those responsible for inappropriate or criminal behavior to take appropriate measures.
What are the phases of the security plan?
A good security plan for football stadiums is divided into three essential phases to ensure order and security before, during, and after the event.
1. Pre-match phase
This phase involves intensive preparation and coordination before the start of the match, including tasks such as inspections and pat-downs, securing critical areas, managing potential crowds, etc.
2. During the match
With the stadium full, attention is focused on maintaining security inside and around the field, which includes:
- Closing doors after the match starts to control the flow of entry and exit.
- Security teams must be alert to intervene in any incidents in the stands and other areas.
- Before the end of the match, logistics are prepared for an orderly and safe departure of spectators.
3. Post-match phase
After the match ends, security efforts continue with the aim of ensuring the stadium is emptied without incidents. Actions that should be included in a security plan during this phase include:
- Reviewing the entire stadium to ensure no one remains inside after it is closed.
- Verifying any possible damage or anomalies in the stadium or its surroundings.
- Creating reports on everything that happened to serve as a record and improvement information for future actions.
What types of security systems to use
Perimeter security plays a fundamental role in protecting and securing sports facilities, especially in football stadiums where attendance is usually massive. The following are the main security systems that are most interesting for maximizing security at football stadiums:
- CCTV surveillance systems with technologies such as motion detection, night vision, or intelligent video analysis.
- Access control systems to control all stadium entrances, using sophisticated identification systems.
- Intrusion sensors and alarms that detect unauthorized movements or attempts to breach the perimeter in real-time (equipped with technology that alerts security personnel when a threat is identified).
- Physical barriers such as fences, bollards, and security doors that resist impacts and control the flow of people, vehicles, and potential intruders.
- Detection and neutralization of drones, with systems capable of detecting the presence of unauthorized devices over the stadium and, if necessary, neutralizing them to prevent image capture or any other security risk they may pose.
To maximize security at football stadiums and other sports venues and events, it is very important to rely on professionals with extensive experience in the field.
At Microsegur, we offer services specially focused on your needs and requirements, so you can ensure the protection of people, equipment, and materials before, during, and after matches. Do not hesitate to contact us so we can help you increase the security of your business.
