3 days ago
Dubai Workshop Stresses Joint Security Effort to Safeguard Stadiums Ahead of 2025–26 Season
Dubai Police and the Dubai Sports Council, in coordination with the UAE Pro League, underscored the need for close cooperation between security and sports institutions to protect spectators, ensure smooth entry and exit at stadiums, and foster positive fan support for emphasis came during a 'Stadium Security Workshop' held at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters, where Brigadier Khamis Ali Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Emergency Affairs, Ali Omar Al Baloushi, Director of Sports Development at the Dubai Sports Council, and the representatives of UAE Pro League addressed attendees. The session drew, chief executives of Dubai clubs, liaison officers from Dubai Police, officials from various national media outlets, and leaders of Dubai clubs' supporters' Al Shamsi said the joint efforts of all stakeholders had contributed to the success of last season. 'The active on-the-ground presence of every entity delivered positive results. We work as one team, and we will continue this cooperation to secure further successes in the season ahead,' he said. He added that Dubai Police, working with the Dubai Sports Council, had conducted a series of field visits and meetings focused on the comfort and safety of spectators as well as technical, administrative and match-officiating crews. 'We will always be ready to achieve the desired goals,' he Baloushi extended best wishes to all clubs for the new season, expressing hope for strong, balanced competition and an enjoyable matchday experience for fans. 'We thank Dubai Police, the clubs, football companies and the Pro League for their efforts, and we congratulate everyone on the excellent results achieved last season,' he said. He noted that the workshop builds on work underway since 2020 to ensure the safety and well-being of fans and teams, improve match organization, and meet administrative and operational targets. The Council, he added, regularly develops club staff through forums and workshops organized with national institutions and by bringing in international experts with proven, real-world on behalf of H.E. Abdulla Nasser Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League, Basil Mubarak Al Menhali thanked the Dubai Sports Council for hosting the workshop. 'We reaffirm our ongoing cooperation with all parties to ensure a successful sports season in every detail, presenting our competitions in a manner befitting the level of UAE football by meeting the standards set for the Pro League's four tournaments,' he Basel Al Jallad of the UAE Pro League said the Security and Safety Manual had been updated to clarify responsibilities for clubs and fans. Key measures include increasing private security personnel at high-risk matches, requiring them to wear official uniforms, and ensuring the full presence of technical and medical staff from the moment the team bus arrives until it leaves the club premises. Additional steps include segregating rival supporters in the stands with physical barriers and regulating the entry of loudspeakers, banners and tifo displays (large, choreographed fan banners).The workshop also reviewed major challenges facing the Pro League and stadium security teams and discussed remedies, with an added focus on enhancing sustainability at venues through planning and decisions aligned with government teams from Dubai Police and the Dubai Sports Council have continued joint site visits with relevant stakeholders to verify that preparations are complete for the start of the 2025–2026 season. The checks covered security planning, facility readiness and safe crowd-management mechanisms, with all logistical and technical arrangements confirmed to support a strong, high-energy kickoff.
Dubai Police and the Dubai Sports Council said they will continue to convene forums and workshops with national institutions to enhance the readiness of sports bodies to host events across all disciplines. The goal, they said, is to strengthen decision-making by adopting data-driven administrative systems while adhering to the highest standards of organization and safety, and to promote community partnership and sportsmanship in a way that reflects the UAE's standing on the global stage.
