The Union of European Clubs has been unanimously granted Observer Status to the Council of Europe’s Saint-Denis Committee, allowing the UEC to contribute clubs’ practical expertise to Europe-wide standards on matchday safety, security and service.
Brussels, 26 January 2026
The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has been granted Observer Status to the Saint-Denis Committee of the Council of Europe, following a unanimous decision by all member states represented in the Committee.
The Saint-Denis Committee is responsible for developing and promoting European standards on safety, security and service at sports events, and for supporting the implementation of the Saint-Denis Convention across Europe. The Convention provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring that sporting events are organised in a manner that is safe, well-managed and respectful of fundamental rights, while also promoting positive supporter experiences.
Observer Status allows the UEC to contribute to the Committee’s work through written and oral interventions on topics under discussion, providing expertise grounded in the daily realities of professional football clubs across Europe.
For UEC member clubs — particularly small and mid-size clubs deeply rooted in their local communities — issues related to matchday safety, supporter services, stadium infrastructure and operational capacity are not abstract policy concepts, but part of everyday operational responsibility. Clubs are often the first point of contact for supporters and local authorities, and play a central role in ensuring that sporting events remain safe, welcoming and inclusive.
Through its Observer role, the UEC will bring forward practical insights from 25 domestic leagues, including challenges faced by clubs when hosting high-profile matches, managing unexpected growth in attendance, or meeting infrastructure and operational requirements when qualifying for international competitions.
The UEC looks forward to contributing constructively to the Committee’s work over the coming years, supporting the further development of proportionate, effective and realistic standards that strengthen both safety and service at sports events while respecting the diversity of football environments across Europe.
This step reflects the growing recognition of the UEC as a responsible and constructive stakeholder in European football and underlines the importance of including clubs’ perspectives in discussions that directly affect the matchday experience of millions of supporters.
