n 12–13 January, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) brought together 60 participants in Paris for the LIAISE II Awareness Raising Event, hosted by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).
The two-day meeting formed a key milestone in the Erasmus+ funded LIAISE II project, which focuses on strengthening effective liaison between host police and football club Supporter Liaison Officers (SLOs) around football matches across Europe.
The event welcomed representatives from all six LIAISE II partner countries: Republic of Ireland, Romania, Sweden, France, Czechia, and the Netherlands. Participants included SLOs, police representatives, and security officers, ensuring a diverse mix of operational and supporter-facing perspectives.
🇫🇷🤝 Nearly 60 SLOs, police, & security officers from 6 countries met in Paris for the LIAISE II Awareness Raising Event.
— Football Supporters Europe (@FansEurope) January 19, 2026
🗣️ The @EUErasmusPlus project is designed to grow effective dialogue between SLOs & police to the benefit of fans on matchdays.
🔗 https://t.co/lb10u84UiF pic.twitter.com/cSL6WV3QII
Sharing Experiences & Good Practice
The agenda centred on building a shared understanding of how liaison structures currently function across different national contexts. Project partners introduced themselves and presented an overview of the state of SLO–police liaison in their respective countries.
Participants were also presented with the results of a project-wide survey designed to assess differing needs, challenges, and expectations around liaison. These findings will play a central role in shaping the next phases of the project.
In addition, FSE and the LFP delivered presentations highlighting examples of good practice, demonstrating how structured, trust-based liaison can improve safety, communication, and the overall matchday experience for supporters.
“We are very encouraged by the reception of the topics at hand and the buy-in to the project from the partners” said FSE’s Director of European & Institutional Affairs, Stuart Dykes, following the meeting. “It’s clear they see the value to matchdays in SLOs and police having a better understanding of each other’s roles.
“The event provided a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the guidance set out in the EU Council Resolution on police liaison with SLOs, the key intellectual outcome of the first LIAISE project. It also enabled partner delegations to identify the next steps for strengthening police–SLO cooperation over the project’s next two years.”
Why LIAISE II Matters
Effective dialogue between police and SLOs is a cornerstone of safe, inclusive, and supporter-friendly matchdays. LIAISE II builds on the success of the first LIAISE project, which led to a Council of the European Union resolution on liaison between police and SLOs.
By promoting structured cooperation, mutual understanding, and the sharing of best practice, the project helps ensure that safety measures at football matches are proportionate, informed, and respectful of supporters’ rights. For fans and FSE members, this work directly contributes to better matchday experiences and stronger recognition of supporters as key stakeholders in organising football matches.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, the project will move into an implementation-focused phase. This will include the organisation of six National Seminars on SLO–police liaison by project partners, as well as continued work on observation visits.
The next transnational LIAISE II meeting is scheduled to take place in Prague in September 2026, where partners will review progress and further develop project outcomes.
Make our voice even stronger. Join FSE today.