Filenews 19 March 2025 - by Michalis Hadjivassilis
First of all, the bill that provides for additional measures to combat violence in stadiums, imposing narcotests and breathalyzer tests on fans before entering stadiums, is viewed positively.
Despite some reservations on individual issues, it seems that all stakeholders welcome tougher measures on a phenomenon that endangers lives and property.
Presenting the bill today before the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said that it is a legislative initiative aimed at preventing violence in sports venues and at the same time strengthening security mechanisms. He also mentioned that international practices and standards are taken into account.
Among other things, the bill extends the application of closed circuit surveillance to stadiums of 500 spectators or more, instead of 2000 today. In this way, he said, anonymity in sports venues is abolished. "Someone will behave differently if there are cameras in the stands and otherwise if there are not. The new monitoring system is being piloted by the CMO," he said.
At the same time, checks at stadium entrances are strengthened after police officers return, while at the same time alcohol tests and narcotests will be carried out at a distance of up to 500 meters around the stadiums.
The use and carrying of slogans of political content is also prohibited and fans holding such banners will not be allowed to enter the stadium. On this issue there was opposition from unions, since now they are punished with a fine, such as Omonia for the banner with Tempi. It was requested that the provisions of UEFA be introduced.
The main issue introduced by the bill that provokes reactions concerns the power given, under exceptional cases, to the Council of Ministers to decide not to hold a football match, if it is found that there are serious security reasons.
The representative of the CFA reacted to this provision since it is considered as an interference in the self-governance of the Federation. He also opposed the provision for CCTV to be installed in stadiums of 500 seats or more, saying clubs would be closed. There are reservations about this provision from other Federations as well.
The spokeswoman of the State Chemical Laboratory, after mentioning that it needs reinforcement with means and personnel to conduct the tests, said that of the 5000 samples sent to the Laboratory last year by the Police, 1000 were narcotests of drivers. As he said, very little was negative.
