Europese Overeenkomst inzake gewelddadigheden door en wangedrag van toeschouwers rond sportevenementen en in het bijzonder rond voetbalwedstrijden

The member States of the Council of Europe and the other States party to the European Cultural Convention, signatory hereto,

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members;

Concerned by violence and misbehaviour amongst spectators at sports events, and in particular at football matches, and the consequences thereof;

Aware that this problem is likely to put at risk the principles embodied in Resolution (76) 41 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe known as the "European Sport for All Charter";

Emphasising the important contribution made to international understanding by sport, and especially, because of their frequency, by football matches between national and club teams from European states;

Considering that both public authorities and the independent sports organisations have separate but complementary responsibilities to combat violence and misbehaviour by spectators, bearing in mind that the sports organisation also have responsibilities in matters of safety and that more generally they should ensure the orderly conduct of the events they organise; considering moreover that these authorities and organisations should work together for this purpose at all appropriate levels;

Considering that violence is a current social phenomenon with wide repercussions, whose origins lie mainly outside sport, and that sport is often the scene for outbreaks of violence;

Being resolved to take common and co-operative action to prevent and control the problem of violence and misbehaviour by spectators at sports events,

Have agreed as follows: