For more than 15 years, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has played a leading role in the development and implementation of the Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) model across European football. Following engagement between supporter representatives and UEFA, the SLO role was incorporated into UEFA club licensing regulations in 2010, making supporter dialogue a formal part of club structures across European football.
Alongside its European-funded projects (such as LIAISE II and TPDS), FSE continues to drive the development of the SLO role through its partnership with UEFA Academy in delivering the Supporter Liaison Officer Education Programme. As of today, FSE and UEFA Academy has taken the programme to SLOs in 20+ nations around Europe, with more coming each season.
The programme is designed to help current and future SLOs develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to build constructive relationships between clubs and supporters. For FSE, leading in the programme is an opportunity to ensure that supporter perspectives remain central to how football approaches engagement, communication, and decision-making.
About the programme
The UEFA Academy Supporter Liaison Officer Education Programme is a professional development programme for individuals working in supporter relations and engagement roles across football.
The programme explores topics including:
- supporter engagement and dialogue;
- communication and relationship-building;
- supporter culture and supporter communities;
- accessibility and inclusion;
- stakeholder management;
- matchday operations and supporter experience;
- governance and strategic planning.
Drawing on expertise from across European football, the programme combines academic learning with practical experience and real-world case studies. FSE contributes directly to this process, bringing the perspective of supporters and decades of experience working with clubs, leagues, National Associations, UEFA, public authorities, and supporter organisations throughout Europe.
Why does FSE contribute?
SLOs can be most effective when they understand more than processes and procedures. They also need to understand supporter culture, supporter expectations, and the realities experienced by match-going supporters.
That is where FSE adds unique value.
As the representative voice of European football fans, FSE provides insight drawn from its work with supporters in countries across the continent. This helps ensure that discussions about supporter engagement are grounded in the realities of football rather than approached solely from an institutional perspective.
FSE’s contribution focuses on areas such as:
- meaningful supporter engagement and consultation;
- building trust between clubs and supporters;
- away travel and supporter experience;
- supporter rights and representation;
- examples of effective dialogue and good practice from across Europe.
By bringing these perspectives into the programme, FSE helps participants understand the importance of seeing supporters as stakeholders and partners in football.
Building on more than 15 years of SLO development
FSE’s involvement in the UEFA Academy programme is part of a much wider body of work to strengthen supporter engagement across Europe.
Working with UEFA, FSE supports the implementation and development of the SLO role, works with National Associations and leagues, coordinates the European SLO network, develops training and guidance, contributes expertise to European institutions, and helps promote good practice in supporter relations.
This experience means FSE is able to bring practical lessons from different countries, competitions, and football cultures into the programme, helping participants understand both the opportunities and challenges of the role.
Why does this matter for supporters?
The ultimate goal of the programme is not education for its own sake. It is to improve the quality of engagement between football clubs or national associations and supporters.
When SLOs are well trained, well supported, and equipped with a strong understanding of supporter perspectives, the benefits can be felt throughout the supporter experience leading to better matchdays.
Through the UEFA Academy Supporter Liaison Officer Education Programme, FSE helps ensure that SLOs develop not only professional expertise, but also a genuine understanding of supporter culture and the value of meaningful dialogue.
This work forms part of FSE’s ongoing commitment to improving supporter engagement, strengthening supporter representation, and ensuring that supporter voices continue to be heard throughout European football.
Learn more about FSE’s work on developing the SLO role here.