The FA’s Head of Stadium Safety, Chris Whalley, the Football Licensing Authority Chief Executive, John de Quidt and the Head of the UK National Football Information Point of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, Detective Sargeant Tony Conniford were welcomed by the Peru Football Association ahead of the country’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in Lima last Tuesday evening.

The three-man delegation were given extensive tours of the capital’s three main stadia - Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, home to Alianza Lima with a capacity of 35,000; Estadio Monumental "U", the 80,000 capacity ground of Club Universitario de Deportes; and finally the Estadio Nacional ‘Jose Diaz’ which was hosting Peru’s make-or-break match.

Unfortunately for The FA’s hosts, Peru’s goalless draw signalled an end to their qualifying bid, leaving the 35,000 home fans disconsolate.

Before kick-off, Chris Whalley, John de Quidt and Tony Conniford met police and stadium officials to discuss preparations for the match and to compare different practices, which were then addressed during the two-day seminar which began on 09 June.

The seminars focused on every aspect of stadium safety and security, from the design and comfort of grounds, to match-day preparations in England and Wales, and the policing efforts that take place around the country to combat hooliganism and ensure that league and cup fixtures pass off without incident.

England has taken significant measures to research and apply legislation that is now universally applauded and which has resulted in a much safer environment at matches. The Peru FA is hoping to implement similar legislation which it hopes will bring supporters back to football grounds that have been left empty through a combination of fan trouble and poor facilities.

In the audience were representatives of the clubs from the top division in Peru, officials from the four host cities of the FIFA World U17 Championships which will be taking place in Peru later this year from 16 September to 02 October.

There were also a number of senior police representatives present, plus officials from the fire and medical services, and three engineers from the Peruvian National Institute of Civil Defence.

"The audience showed a good understanding of the themes we introduced, this came across in the questions they posed both in the formal question and answer sessions and informally in our discussions with delegates during the breaks in proceedings," said The FA’s Head of Stadium Safety, Chris Whalley.

"Peru is continuing a process of stadium development and the Peru FA is hoping to drive forward some proposals on new legislation to combat violence in sport. I think the key message from our seminar - that success in England was achieved by a partnership approach between Football, Government and the Police - really struck a chord with the Peru FA.

"I got the impression that they were hoping to use this seminar as a stimulus for getting all relevant parties in Peru around the table in order to tackle their problems together, not in isolation."

The event in Peru follows on from two highly successful seminars in Ecuador and Chile last year on the same subject of stadium safety and security, all of which falls under the umbrella of the historic cooperation agreement signed by CONMEBOL and The FA in Paraguay towards the latter part of 2003. The accord reached by both parties represents an ongoing commitment to work together on the development of the game.

For further information on The FA's International Programme, please click here.