Intensive preparations and close communication between all parties involved in the operation paid off
Vienna (OTS) – From 14 June to 14 July 2024, the UEFA European Championship took place at various venues in Germany. 43 police officers and 16 service dogs from the Austrian Federal Police supported their colleagues in Germany and were the contact point for Austrian fans on site.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner: “Our police officers did an excellent job at UEFA Euro 2024. Those who were deployed in Germany and those who were deployed in Austria at public viewings. Thank you very much for that.” Karner added: “I am pleased that the work of the police in cooperation with the German authorities and all other players went smoothly and that our police officers were so well received by the Austrian fans.”
“It was a very good feeling for the ÖFB and the team to be so well looked after and supported during the EURO. I was also able to see for myself at the fan marches in Düsseldorf, Berlin and Leipzig and I am convinced that the Austrian fans not only gave our national team sensational support in the stadiums, but also represented our country in Germany in a very positive and friendly way. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked on this project for months and supported us,” said ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer, who emphasized the trusting cooperation with the BMI.
Collaboration as best practice
At the UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, the national team thrilled tens of thousands of fans in the stadiums and millions of people at home in Austria in front of their TV sets and at many public viewing events. The fact that such an emotional event can take place peacefully and in an orderly manner, and that the team can concentrate on the sporting side of things without being disturbed, is the result of intensive preparation and the great and well-networked commitment of the parties involved.
The excellent cooperation between the BMI and the ÖFB plays a central role in the preparations for a tournament. The task force represents an important and now very proven platform for the ÖFB and the national team for close coordination with authorities and the media during major events such as UEFA EURO 2024. The close networking of all stakeholders as well as the fast and efficient exchange of contact and information were once again the focus here.
Task force set up at the beginning of the year
The Ministry of the Interior set up a task force with the involvement of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) and Sports Media Austria (SMA). Due to their experience as host of the 2008 European Football Championship, the Austrian authorities had played a key role in the international security police preparations and were an important partner for the German authorities.
The project manager of the task force, Günther Marek, emphasises: “The European Championship, which was a success for Austria in all security aspects, shows that the path taken by the Ministry of the Interior since the home European Championship in 2008, namely setting up task forces for all major sporting events and getting all stakeholders on board, is the right one and points the way. We have succeeded in ensuring the safety of the team, the fans, the media and the entire delegation and also supporting the host country. I would like to expressly thank all members of the task force for their excellent work. I would also like to thank the German authorities, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the federal and state police for their professional and good cooperation.”
Mitterdorfer: “The task force represents an important and now very proven platform for the ÖFB and the national team for close coordination with authorities and the media in the context of major events such as UEFA EURO 2024. The close networking of all stakeholders as well as the fast and efficient exchange of contacts and information were once again the focus here.”
Situation at public viewings in Austria
In Austria, around 3,600 police officers were deployed at public viewings between June 14 and July 14. In various incidents, one police officer in Vienna and two city police officers in Dornbirn were slightly injured and one city police officer in Dornbirn was seriously injured. In total, around 420,000 spectators watched the games in the fan zones. Over 470 administrative charges and 86 criminal charges were filed.
Relevant incidents: suspicion of rape of a 16-year-old German citizen and the display of the so-called wolf salute in Vienna, an arrest for resisting state authority and serious bodily harm in Dornbirn and special surveillance measures in Innsbruck during the Netherlands vs. Turkey match.
Relevant incidents outside of public viewing: During the match between Turkey and the Czech Republic, there was a car convoy and a concert of honking in Upper Austria, which led to an arrest for violating the law. During the quarter-finals, there were major official actions in the area of Vienna’s main train station because of physical assaults among spectators. After the arrest of a Turkish fan in Landeck, riots broke out and a police station was besieged.
Inquiries & Contact:
federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
Group leader Dr. Günther Marek
+43 (0) 664 – 2827549
guenther.marek@bmi.gv.at
bmi.gv.at
federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
Department I/C/10 – Public Relations
Spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of the Interior
+43 (0) 1-531 26 – 90 15 60
BMI Department Spokesperson@bmi.gv.at
bmi.gv.at
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