Results of the "Stadium Security in Türkiye" Research Announced

Violence in Sports and Stadium Security were discussed in depth at Bahçeşehir University. At the conference, also attended by İstanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu, the results of the "Violence in Sports and Stadium Security Research," conducted in cooperation between BAU and City Security Group, were shared.

The results of the "Stadium Security Research," commissioned from the İKSARA Research Company in cooperation between Bahçeşehir University and CSG (City Security Group), were shared with the public at the "Violence in Sports and Stadium Security" conference held on Wednesday, 18 September 2013 at Bahçeşehir University's Beşiktaş Campus. At the conference, attended by many security experts and academics from Türkiye and abroad, the research, presented by İKSARA Research Director and New York University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Şirin, involved 1,000 participants. According to the results of the "Stadium Security Research,"7 out of every 10 people in Türkiye find stadiums unsafe.While distrust of stadiums is an obstacle to going to stadiums to watch matches,1 in every 4 peoplestates that they do not go to the stadium because of violence. Likewise,1 in every 3 peoplestates that they cannot go to the stadium with their family because they find itunsafe

. 8 out of every 10 people worry about a relative who goes to the stadium.73 percent of stadium-goers are either exposed to violence when they go to the stadiumor witness violence:13 percent of participants state that they have been exposed to physical violence,, while 30 percent are exposed to verbal violence.Another 30 percent say that they have witnessed physical or verbal violence even if they were not exposed to it themselves.

FANATICS ARE NOT THE ONLY SOURCE OF VIOLENCE

Contrary to the widespread belief in society, the research results reveal that the source of violence seen in stadiums is "ordinary people" as well as fanatic groups. 58 percent of participants think that only fanatic groups cause violence in stadiums, while 36 percent think that everyone, including "ordinary people," does.

According to the research,7 out of every 10 peoplefind the training of private security officers working at sports events inadequate and believe that private security personnel trained in sports security could prevent violence in stadiums.

While approximately 7 out of every 10 participants think that cooperation between the police, private security and prosecutors would increase security in sports, 65 percent find it appropriate to appoint sports prosecutors to prevent racist, ideological and political chants, violent crimes and hooliganism in stadiums.

Speaking at the conference, BAU Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel stated that security problems are among the most important problems of countries around the world, and said, "Our university today is drawing attention to one of the most important issues in the world." Stating that one of the world's important problems is cyber security, Yücel said, "Universities are institutions that lead society. As Bahçeşehir University, we are one of three universities in Türkiye working in the field of cyber security." Saying that more work would be done on the subject in the future, Yücel added that the university would carry out work focusing on three important areas: cyber security, school security, and violence in sports and stadium security.

"THE E-TICKET CONCEPT AND FACIAL RECOGNITION SYSTEMS ARE ESSENTIAL"

İstanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu also gave a speech at the conference. Stating that while sports and violence are two concepts that should not be mentioned together, they have had to be mentioned together both in the world and in our country, Mutlu drew attention to the necessity of security work, saying: "Our city is also a city that experiences problems with sports security. For example, our country's leading clubs decided not to admit away team fans to derby matches. Yet these matches should take place in a festival atmosphere. This decision reveals the security problem in sports."

Mutlu also underlined the importance of the e-ticket concept and the installation of facial recognition systems in stadiums, which should be considered when increasing security measures, and called on the federation and security forces to carry out the necessary work on this issue.

For the results of the "Stadium Security Research," click here.