全球智库信息集成服务系统

This case study offers early reflections on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, in particular on the factors that may have contributed to the relative absence of violence and antisocial behaviour reported at the event.

There are some limitations to the analysis, due to the recent nature of the event and the paucity of official data that are publicly available. Much of the information in this case study is drawn from interviews with international football policing practitioners, academic experts and representatives from fan associations.

The available information suggests that the 2018 World Cup was free of large-scale disorder and violent behaviour.

There are a number of potentially transferable lessons for the organisers of Qatar 2022:

• Police cooperation and information sharing in advance of the event: In the view of experts, international police cooperation and measured policing tactics helped to ensure a largely trouble-free event.
• Effective, measured and consistent security arrangements: Various organisational features were perceived by many fans to have contributed to a positive experience. These seemed to strike a balance between ensuring that necessary security arrangements were put in place and being perceived by fans as reasonable and proportionate. There was clarity and consistency with respect to applicable rules and regulations (relating to, for example, access to stadiums and behaviour), which minimised potential sources of fan frustration.
• Providing services for fans: Services such as the provision of lockers, free public transportation and fan zones made the experience more enjoyable for supporters and facilitated positive behaviours.
• Alcohol restrictions and non-criminal justice responses to intoxication: Organisers put in place some alcohol restrictions, while offering access to alcoholic drinks at stadiums and in designated areas. For fans who did become intoxicated, police and event personnel were able to use approaches such as recovery rooms instead of criminal justice responses, thus avoiding escalation where no other offence had been committed.

This case study examines the available evidence on violent and antisocial behaviour during the 2018 World Cup; effectiveness of policing tactics deployed during the tournament; intelligence-sharing and international cooperation between law enforcement agencies; sale and consumption of alcohol; and the facilitation of positive crowd behaviour through event organisation.

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Objective Analysis. Effective Solutions.