The Good Way to Work

The Benefits of Facilitation in Football Supporter Safety

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of an enhanced dialogue model by the Gothenburg police to manage public safety during football matches. Following the 2001 Gothenburg Riots, the Swedish police developed the Special Police Tactics (SPT) project, emphasizing Conflict Reducing Principles (CRP) such as Knowledge, Facilitation, Communication, and Differentiation. These principles aim to foster peaceful and lawful behavior among crowds, enhancing police legitimacy and reducing conflict through self-regulation. The research focuses on the 2014-2017 period, highlighting the role of the Event Police in engaging with football supporters. The case study of a 2017 match between IFK Gothenburg and Malmö FF demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. The findings indicate that a facilitation-focused strategy, supported by effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders, can significantly improve public safety and police-community relations. However, the study also notes the challenges for this approach, such as logistical issues and the need for continuous adaptation. The research concludes that while the facilitation model has proven beneficial, maintaining a balance between facilitation and control is crucial for sustainable crowd management.