Meeting to coordinate measures in the fight against violence in football

The Liga de Fútbol Profesional, National Police Body, the Association of Spanish Federation Football Fan Clubs and security delegates from clubs held an emergency meeting on Thursday at the Canillas Police Centre in order to establish measures that are to be adopted in the fight against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport tied to the Law 19/2007 of 11 July against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport.

The Director General of the Police, Ignacio Cosidó, said that "the Spanish league is one of the safest in the world", adding that "those responsible for the two events of extreme gravity that have taken place recently are the authors of violent deeds". The director also explained "for the part of clubs, the league and the Security Bodies and Forces of the stadiums, we have an obligation to take concrete measures so that these deeds do not happen again".

The chief of the National Police Body appealed to all football clubs to "take decisive steps in order to cut all ties with, support and tolerance of these groups". Cosidó also asked the clubs that "these people do not enter the stadiums, meaning we therefore will have taken a forward step in securing the safety of civilians".

Liga de Fútbol Profesional president, Javier Tebas, also spoke to the clubs' security directors, security coordinators and Aficiones Unidas during the meeting. The president was blunt with the LFP’s stance, "it does not stop with controlling the ultras phenomenon. We have to expel them from football. We are allowing, around football, violent acts to be organised. The LFP has the firm conviction that together, we will achieve our goal".

Javier Tebas explained that "the responsibility is global, and if we don’t work together, we won't be able to expel them from football".

The president also recalled the measures adopted by the overseers of football, announced last Thursday 4 December after a meeting with the Superior Sports Council and the RFEF. These decisions are covered by the Law 19/2007 of 11 July against football, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport, with the exception of the partial closure of football stadiums, which will apply from 15 December.