Belgrade Game: Police Security Prep

Around 4,000 Belgrade fans are expected in Graz on Thursday. Since there may also be violent fans among them, the police will be deployed with a large contingent. A helicopter, drones and hundreds of officers on duty are on site. A water cannon can also be used if necessary. In any case, the police have been warned about the fans of Red Star Belgrade, said police spokesman Fritz Grundnig.

A major challenge is that only just under 1,500 of the approximately 4,000 expected Red Star Belgrade fans have tickets for the game. Another challenge is the Red Star fans’ march, which is common at international games. This should take place on Thursday afternoon.

Adapted entry controls

Part of the operational concept is “that we protect the Advent markets in Graz as best as possible. This means that these Advent markets are monitored with appropriate staffing levels,” says Grundnig. After consultation with the authorities, Sturm Graz significantly increased the number of employees in the security sector.

“We adapted the entry control in advance, also working with the police. And of course we have more people on site. But we have a security meeting this evening (Wednesday evening, note) with all contacts from the visiting club, the UEFA Security Officer, who was specially sent by UEFA plus representatives of the authorities. And we will discuss the options for tomorrow in detail again,” said Bruno Hütter, Sturm Graz’s security officer.

Costs are shared

According to police spokesman Grundnig, the costs for the security operation are divided: “This means that the authorities prescribe appropriate security measures for Sturm. And this also includes police security forces. And these are then billed for. These are usually the security forces who have to take a position in the stadium. Everything that takes place outside the stadium is then the police’s legal duty to comply with.” Costs that the taxpayers then bear.