GAA fears on stadium safety code eased

THE publication by the Minister for Sport, Bernard Allen, of codes of practice for safety at sports grounds and pop concerts contains less daunting implications for the GAA than had been feared.

The code's provisions are largely applicable to grounds with a capacity of 20,000 or more, and thus affect the GAA disproportionately, as 24 of its grounds come into this category (all other sports organisations put together own only a fraction of that). But speculation that implementing the code would cost the association up to £10 million would appear to be unfounded.

This calculation was made on the basis that video surveillance and control centres would be recommended for every ground. In fact, the report provides for these facilities at grounds holding 35,000 which reduces the GAA's liability in the matter by roughly 80 per cent. Incidentally, this facility has yet to be installed at Lansdowne Road, where Ireland play virtually all their home soccer and rugby internationals.

Secondly, fears within the GAA that the code of practice would equate safety with all seater stadiums have been allayed with the acceptance by the working committee, established by the Department of Education, that terracing can provide satisfactory accommodation at sporting venues

"However, there is no reason to believe that terraces cannot remain a perfectly safe area for viewing major sporting events," states the report at chapter 13.8.

A further procedure, common at soccer matches but rare enough at GAA fixtures, Is segregation. Again the report is non directive, stating at chapter 19.5 "Rival supporters at certain matches may have to be segregated, but segregation is not advocated where crowd disorder is not foreseen as a problem."

All ticket matches are recommended where attendances are expected to be 80 per cent of the capacity. This, however, is fairly common practice in most sports.

The working committee's main references were the Hamilton report on the Hillsborough disaster in Sheffield seven years ago and the Finlay report into last February's riot at the Ireland England international in Lansdowne Road. European Convention recommendations and UEFA guidelines were also taken into account.

The Minister told a press conference yesterday that it is not envisaged that legislation will be enacted to enforce the recommendations.

"These are voluntary codes which do not attempt to provide a universal standard, but which do set achievable standards. They will apply to all grounds with a holding capacity of 20,000 spectators or more. Management of grounds at this level will be expected to comply with all the guidelines. Where grounds do not meet the guidelines, it is expected that measures should be taken to meet them within a reasonable timescale."

In response to a question concerning the possibility of public funds to implement the recommendations, the Minister replied that there was £6 million available each year for upgrading facilities, and that fears that the code would add enormously to the burden on sports organisations were unfounded.

"These recommendations were drafted with the co operation of all the sporting bodies who were consulted, almost up to the eve of publication. A lot of these things would be happening anyway. The GAA has just constructed a multi million pound stand incorporating most, if not all, of these provisions."

Questioned about a time scale for the introduction of the code, he said "There's no need for it, because we've had co operation from all organisations. In the case of major defects, we might have to consider compulsory implementation, but not at present. We'll wait to see how the code will be taken up by the sporting bodies."

The only reference to a target date in the report states that the time period for deficiencies "which are not a serious risk to life and can be tackled over a period of time could extend up to January 1st, 2003."

His final response on the issue of funding was vaguely high minded "What's the price of safety? What's the price of a life? ,,Money shouldn't come into it.

Jack Booth man, president of the association, was present at the press conference launch of the codes. "In general, we support the proposals, but will need to examine them before giving any detailed response, he said.