ICSS calls for stronger international standards in training and educating sport safety and security professionals at ESSMA Summit

By Will Shand, from Munich, Germany, Jan 29, 2015: With the growing safety and security challenges now facing sport, the ICSS has called for the development of stronger international standards to train and educate sport safety and major event security managers.

Speaking to top football clubs, stadium managers and venue owners at the ESSMA Summit, Helmut Spahn (Director General, ICSS) said:

“Training and educating those who look after our safety and security in sport is a major responsibility for any major event organiser or sport venue operator. However, at the moment, it is clear that many clubs, leagues and associations do not provide enough opportunities for their safety and security managers to learn from other sports and major events.

“As a first step and as part of our commitment to sharing expertise to help safeguard sport, the ICSS has developed the first International Advanced Studies Programme on Sport Safety and Security Management with SRH University Heidelberg to encourage the development of an international standard in training and educating within the sport safety and security management industry.

“With many new and emerging threats now facing sport, as good practice the ICSS would encourage clubs, leagues and associations across all sports to enrol on courses like this and provide more opportunities for their safety and security workforce to learn about emerging trends and techniques developing within the industry.”

Organised by ESSMA and supported by the EPFL, ECA and the ICSS, some of the organisations attending the ESSMA Summit included: FC Barcelona, FIFA, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid CF, Arsenal FC, Wembley, Manchester United, Liga de Futbol Profesional, ACF Fiorentina, AS Monaco FC and Dallas Cowboys.

Speaking on the ICSS’s contribution to the ESSMA Summit, Dimitri Huygen, Managing Director – ESSMA, said:

“The challenge of securing major sport events and international venues has never been greater and once again the ICSS has added considerable knowledge and experience to the event, as well as their cutting-edge expertise in sport safety and security. This has been of enormous benefit to our members.

“The ICSS is continuing to play an important and active role in leading the development of the sport safety and security industry. On behalf of ESSMA, I look forward to continuing our work with the ICSS, as well as other organisations including the ECA and EPFL.”

For further information regarding the International Advanced Studies Programme on Sport Safety and Security Management and how to apply, please visit our website www.asp.theicss.org/home or contact us via email at advancedstudies@theicss.org