November 27 – The EFL has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking partners to develop a matchday safety data collection and reporting system aimed at enhancing the analysis and management of safety and security issues across its 72 clubs.
Over the past two seasons, the EFL has worked with clubs to monitor and address incidents in stadiums, introducing a self-reporting system during the 2022/23 season. The initiative required Safety Officers to log matchday safety and security incidents, providing valuable insights to help clubs allocate resources more effectively and address areas of concern.
The decision to make the process more robust comes after fan violence in the EFL was highlighted in August, which led to Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggesting that behaviour which is “violent” or “thuggish” could see fans go through the criminal justice system “quickly”.
His message came after more than a week of heightened tensions in towns and cities throughout England, including riots.
EFL’s answer, in the form of this proposed system, will centralise and analyse operational data, enabling clubs to make data-driven decisions that improve safety and optimise matchday operations. It will also support lawful data sharing between clubs and key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and a unified approach to addressing safety challenges.
Any platform must adhere to strict data protection, information security, and privacy regulations while capturing detailed matchday data for analysis. The initiative aligns with broader efforts by the police, Football Association, and Sports Grounds Safety Authority to ensure a safer matchday environment across the EFL.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732740547labto1732740547ofdlr1732740547owedi1732740547sni@g1732740547niwe.1732740547yrrah1732740547