Press release, 4 December 2019
The Seimas denounced the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches, adopted in Strasbourg on 19 August 1985, and ratified the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events, adopted in Saint-Denis on 3 July 2016.
‘The latter Convention provides for a more comprehensive integrated approach to security, safety and services at sports events, greater and clearer cooperation between stakeholders, as well as communication between the countries that are parties to the Convention. This could contribute to further enhancing the security of sports events,’ said Rita Tamašunienė, Minister of the Interior, when presenting the respective draft law at the beginning of the autumn session.
The Law (draft No XIIIP-3762 (2)) on the Denunciation of the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches and the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events was adopted by 69 votes in favour, with no votes against and 14 abstentions.
The legal act will enter into force on 1 January 2021.