Page 47 of the UEFA Club Licensing Manual Version 2.0
7. Infrastructure Criteria
7.1 Introduction
Several regulations, guidelines and directives refer to criteria with regard to the stadium and to the related safety and security (Laws of the Game, UEFA club competition regulations, UEFA Binding Safety and Security Instructions, Guidelines and Recommendations for Stadium Lighting for all UEFA Competitions, UEFA Media Guidelines and FIFA/UEFA brochure “Football Stadium” - Technical Recommendations and Requirements for the Construction or Modernisation of Football Stadium). Due to such big number of documents there has often been some unclearness around infrastructure requirements.
Based on these experiences UEFA decided to streamline the infrastructure approach for UEFA competitions by creating a specific “UEFA Stadium Regulation”, which includes all minimum standards as “must-requirements” in one single document. As part of this new approach each single stadium needs to be “approved” or “certified” against the UEFA minimum standards and classified according to a given category (e.g. like the star-system for hotels). The national associations are responsible for this approval process and its renewal, which may be part of the yearly licensing process.
The UEFA Stadium and Security unit will provide the necessary assistance, monitor the approvals and organises spot-checks on national level. For this reason all criteria related to the Stadium, previously contained in the UEFA Club Licensing Manual V1.0 have been removed and only the criteria in respect of training facility continue to be part of the infrastructure chapter of this revised version of the UEFA Club Licensing Manual. However, up to the approval of the above mentioned “UEFA Stadium Regulation” and communication by UEFA to the national associations of its entry into force, the criteria described in Appendix XXIX still apply and must be fulfilled by licence applicants in
order to be granted with a licence.
7.2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the following infrastructure criteria are that:
• licence applicants have an “approved” stadium available for playing UEFA club competitions matches which provide spectators and media and press representatives with well equipped, well appointed and safe and comfortable stadia;
• licence applicants have suitable training facilities for their players to help them improve their technical skills.
7.3. BENEFITS FOR CLUBS
With the new streamlined approach the clubs, and in particular the stadium owners, will know exactly which “UEFA quality level” the stadium currently achieves. The national association shall inspect and “approve” the stadium wich will then be classified into one of the given quality categories (e.g. “UEFA 3-star level”). Reading the corresponding UEFA competition regulations a club and/or an owner of an “approved” stadium may easily verify for which UEFA competition and/or for which phases of a competition the stadium may host an UEFA match. The assessment report is an important tool and the bases for any improvements and necessary developments to get higher classification in future (e.g. “UEFA 4-star level”).
This approach allows the stadium owner in cooperation with the club to clearly plan and invest in missing requirements, which nowadays are necessary to host people at attractive and entertaining events. Therefore, each club, together with the stadium owner and the local community, should try to provide a stadium that is attractive, safe and secure, easily accessible by car (including parking facilities) and/or public transport, has comfortable seats with a close view of the pitch, has clean hospitality facilities and shops, is equipped with hygienic and spacious toilets for both sexes, provides communication installations (loudspeakers and a video screen) and has also seats and toilets for disabled spectators.
Higher quality standards and better facilities are creating more business opportunities and therefore more income for the owner and/or the club, which helps to finance investments in stadium facilities. Finally, the comfort of a stadium is an important element in terms of having a large crowd to support your team on the pitch.
7.4. CRITERIA
7.4.1. “A” CRITERIA
No.: I.01
Grade: A
Description: APPROVED STADIUM FOR UEFA CLUB COMPETITIONS
The licence applicant must have a stadium available to play UEFA club competitions. The licence applicant either
a) owns the stadium, or
b) can provide a written contract with the owner(s) of the stadium or with owners of different stadia it will use. This contract must guarantee the use of the stadium for the UEFA home matches for the coming season, for which the licence applicant qualifies in sporting terms.
The stadium must fulfil all minimum requirements defined in the “UEFA Stadium Regulation” and be approved by the national association. Furthermore it must be based within the territory of the national association.
UEFA comment: The licensor defines the competent body for approving the stadiums on its territory (e.g. Infrastructure expert, Stadium Committee of the national association, etc.) against the minimum requirements of the “UEFA Stadium Regulation”. Furthermore it establishes the necessary approval process of stadium starting with the formal request by the owner and ending with the final decision by the competent body (e.g. who is doing what, how and by when and with what) as well as the review processes (re-inspection, update, duty to notify).
UEFA reserves the right to perform at any time inspections of stadiums. The licence applicant must take into account that the requested UEFA minimum quality level for the three UEFA club competitions (incl. competition phases) differ and that the participation in one of the UEFA club competition is only known at the very end of the season.
In order to start the UEFA competitions smoothly and to avoid the lack of approved stadium due to renovation or other use, UEFA recommends that by 31 March preceding the season to be licensed (or by an earlier date defined by the licensor) the stadium availability is clarified for each licence applicant.
APPENDIX XXIX ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE CRITERIA
This appendix provides additional infrastructure criteria to be met by clubs up to the approval of the new “UEFA Stadium Regulations” and communication by UEFA of its entry into force.
“A” - Criteria
No. Grade Description
I.04 A STADIUM - CERTIFICATION
The stadium must be certified.
The certification is defined according to national/local law. If such law does not
exist, the licensor fixes the content of the stadium certificate and the procedure in close co-operation with the appropriate body/bodies (e.g. local security authorities, the local hospital, fire brigade, police, etc.).
The certificate must provide at least the following information:
- Safety status of the stadium structure and measures for improvement.
- Compliance statement regarding the safety/security regulations of the
competent civil authority (reference I.05).
- Approval of the entire stadium capacity (individual seats, terraces and total
number).
- Safety and security strategy. This must cover all aspects of the organisation of a football match, such as ticketing distribution system, screening of spectators, segregation strategy, crowd dispersal strategy, medical service, measures taken in case of fire, loss of power supply, or any other emergency.
The certificate issued by the appropriate body must not be older than two years at the beginning of the new UEFA club competition season (1st qualification match).
I.05 A STADIUM - SAFETY
In accordance with the national law the following provisions may build an integrated part of the stadium certificate. If no such law exists the licensor defines at least the following provisions:
- All parts of the stadium and its stands, including entrances, exits, stairways, doors, passages, roofs, all public and private areas and rooms, etc. must comply with the safety standards (reference I.04).
- All public passageways and stairways in the spectator areas must be painted in a bright colour (e.g. yellow), as must all gates leading from the spectator areas into the playing area, and all exit doors and gates leading out of the stadium.
- Clubs must establish procedures so that all public passageways, corridors,
stairs, doors, gates, etc. are kept free of any obstructions that could impede the free flow of spectators during an event.
- All exit doors and gates in the stadium, and all gates leading from the spectator areas into the playing area, must open outwards away from the spectators, and must remain unlocked while spectators are in the stadium. Each and every such door and gate must be attended at all times by a specially appointed steward, to guard against abuse and ensure immediate escape routes in the event of any emergency evacuation. In order to prevent illegal entry or intrusion, these doors and gates may be fitted with a locking device, which may be operated simply and quickly by anyone from within. Under no circumstances must they be locked with a key during the time that spectators are in the stadium.
- In order to protect those on the field or in other parts of the stadium from
lightning strikes, the stadium should be equipped with the appropriate safety
devices.
- It is essential that event holders and stadium safety/security authorities are capable of communicating with spectators inside and outside the stadium by means of a sufficiently powerful and reliable public address system (loudspeakers) and/or by a scoreboard and/or a video screen.
I.06 A STADIUM - APPROVED EVACUATION PLAN
The appropriate body (e.g. safety and security authority, competent civil authority or other qualified and approved firms, etc.) approves the evacuation plan which ensures that the whole stadium can be emptied in a case of emergency according to the applicable national law.
If such law does not exist, the licensor establishes the content of the evacuation plan, including an evacuation time and the approval body, in close co-operation with the appropriate civil body (e.g. local security authorities, the local hospital, fire brigade, police, etc.).
I.07 A STADIUM - CONTROL ROOM
Each stadium must have a control room which ensures an overall view of the inside the stadium in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law or according to the requirements of the licensor, in consultation with the appropriate civil body (e.g. local police, etc.).
The provisions shall specify at least:
- the definition of the size,
- the configuration
- the furnishings
- and the technical equipment (e.g. central telephone switchboard) of the control room.
I.08 A STADIUM - CAPACITY
The minimum capacity of the stadium is 3,000 (three thousand) individual seats.
I.09 A STADIUM - INDIVIDUAL SEATS
A seat must be in accordance with the applicable law or the UEFA booklet Safety and Security in the Stadium for all UEFA Competition Matches:
- Fixed (e.g. to the floor)
- Separate from the others
- Comfortable (anatomically formed)
- Numbered and
- Have a backrest of a minimum height of 30 cm when measured from the seat.
Remark: for UEFA club competition matches (with the exception of UEFA Intertoto Cup) all spectators must be seated in individual seats.
I.10 A STADIUM - SPECTATOR AREAS
Each stand within the stadium must be capable of being divided into separate
sectors according to the requirements of the local security authorities or, if no such requirements exist, those of the licensor.
I.11 A STADIUM - FIRST-AID ROOMS
Each stadium must be equipped with first-aid room(s) to care for spectators in need of medical assistance. This must be done according to the local authority regulations, or the licensor fixes the exact number, size and location of the first-aid room(s) in consultation with the appropriate civil body (e.g. local authorities for security and health,).
In general terms, the licensor may take account of the following recommendations:
- The first-aid rooms must be located in a position which allows easy access from both inside and outside the stadium to spectators and emergency vehicles.
- Have doors and passageways leading to them which are wide enough to allow access for a stretcher or a wheelchair.
- Have bright lighting, good ventilation, heating, air conditioning, electric sockets, hot and cold water, drinking water and toilet facilities for men and women.
- Have walls and floors (non-slip) constructed of smooth and easy to clean material.
- Have a glass cabinet for medicine.
- Have storage space for stretchers, blankets, pillows and first-aid materials.
- Have a telephone allowing internal and external communication.
- Be clearly signposted throughout the inside and outside of the stadium.
I.12 A FIELD OF PLAY - SPECIFICATION
The playing field must be:
Alternative 1: natural grass
Alternative 2: artificial turf (according to the UEFA quality standards), subject to the approval of UEFA.
It must also be:
a) Absolutely smooth and level
b) In good condition
c) Playable during the whole UEFA club competition season
d) Green colour (in the event of artificial turf)
I.13 A SIZE OF FIELD OF PLAY
The field of play must measure
Alternative 1: 105 m x 68 m exactly.
Alternative 2: It is recognised that in some stadiums, for technical reasons of a construction-related nature, it is impossible to increase the field of play to the required dimensions. In this case only the licensor may grant an exception within the following ranges):
- Length: min. 100 m to max. 105 m (110 yds to 115 yds)
- Width: min. 64 m to max. 68 m (70 yds to 75 yds)
'B' Criteria
I.14 B STADIUM – GROUND RULES
Each stadium must issue stadium ground rules and affix them to the stadium in
such a way that the spectators can read them. These rules must provide at least information on:
- admission rights
- abandonment or postponement of events
- description of prohibitions and penalties, such as entering the field of play, throwing objects, use of foul or abusive language, racist behaviour, etc.
- restrictions with regard to alcohol, fireworks, banners, etc.
- seating rules
- causes for ejection from the ground
- risk analysis specific for the stadium
I.15 B STADIUM - COVERED SEATS
The licensor fixes the minimum capacity of individual seats which must be
covered. UEFA recommends that one third of the individual seat capacity be covered especially the grandstand and the press box.
I.16 B STADIUM - ACCOMMODATION OF VISITING SUPPORTERS
At least 5% (five percent) of the certified total stadium capacity must be made available for accommodating visiting supporters in a separate area. This provision is subject to decisions of the competent bodies of the licensor and/or
the local authority regarding safety and security (high-risk matches, etc.).
I.17 B STADIUM - SANITARY FACILITIES
Each stand must provide sufficient toilet facilities for both sexes, in accordance with the local authority regulations or the licensor’s requirements.
These amenities must include washing facilities with at least cold water and a
plentiful supply of towels and/or hand dryers. They must be bright, clean and hygienic, and a procedure should be established to keep that condition throughout each event.
UEFA recommends for every 1,000 spectators, a minimum of:
- Five toilets with seats for men
- Eight urinals and
- Five toilets with seats for women
I.18 B STADIUM - SIGNPOSTING AND DIRECTIONS ON TICKETS
All public direction signs inside and outside the stadium must be presented in internationally understandable pictographic language. Clear, comprehensive signposting must be provided at the stadium approaches and around, and throughout the stadium to point the way to the different sectors.
Tickets must clearly identify the location of the seats for which they have been
issued. Information on the tickets must correlate with the signpost information
provided, both inside and outside the stadium. Colour coding of tickets will assist the entry process, and retained ticket stubs must contain information which will guide spectators once they are inside. Large-scale wall maps must be provided for the guidance of spectators.
I.19 B STADIUM - MEDIA AND PRESS FACILITIES
There must be suitable media and press facilities (working room and press
conference room). The licensor fixes the content of this provision according to the actual needs of its media and taking into consideration the following recommendations and in consultation with the appropriate media bodies (e.g. Media Committee, etc.):
- Specific media entrance to the stadium or entrances if there is a separate access for photographers and TV personnel.
- Reception desk or room where late accreditation/media information can be
collected.
- Permanent press seats, equipped with desks big enough to accommodate a
laptop computer, a notepad and telephone.
- Power supply and phone/modem connections at each desk.
- Media working room accommodating a minimum of … persons, (unless separate facilities are provided), including photographers (to be fixed according to the average demand in your domestic championship).
- Toilet facilities for both sexes.
- Press conference room with a suitable number of ….. seats (to be fixed
according to the average demand in your domestic championship).
- Press conference room to be equipped with a sound system and split box.
- Photographers with heavy equipment should have parking spaces available as close to the access point as possible and/or a drop-off point where they can unload equipment from vehicles.
- The licensor fixes a minimum number of seats in the press box according to the average demand in its domestic championship.
I.20 B STADIUM - DRUG-TESTING ROOM
This room must be near to the teams’ and referees’ dressing rooms and inaccessible to the public and the media.
I.21 B STADIUM - SPECTATORS WITH DISABILITIES
The licensor sets up requirements to accommodate disabled spectators and
accompanying persons safely and comfortably.
