Algerians to benefit from FA visit

The Football Association paid a visit to Algeria earlier this month to participate in a seminar on Stadium Safety and Security, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between The FA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The recent success of the Algerian national side and a vast interest in league football has led to increased match attendance. Keen to ensure the safety of its supporters and security of its stadia, the Federation of Algerian Football (FAF) invited two experts from the UK, accompanied by The FA’s International Development Manager, Maria de León, to share the English experience.

FA Senior Manager of Stadia Safety and Security, Chris Whalley, and Director of the UK Football Policing Unit, Bryan Drew, both delivered presentations which were well received by the Algerian delegation. Representatives of FAF, the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Police also gave talks, joined by researchers from local universities who presented their findings.

“The FA was delighted to take part in this seminar: we can all benefit from sharing experiences in this way,” said Whalley. “The welcome and hospitality that we were given by the Algerian FA was first class,” he added.

Although the FAF is facing some issues that differ from England, there were other similarities to be drawn from hearing about how England has dealt with football-related violence. Vice-President of the Algerian Federation Mr Mohamed Mecherara was delighted with the seminar and congratulated Chris and Bryan on their “brilliant and highly competent presentations from which we can learn a lot."