Cages, crushes and stabbings - is European away safety getting worse?

A growing sense of unease is permeating the European football landscape as supporters traveling for continental competitions report a sharp decline in safety and basic human rights. Investigations into the matchday experience for away fans have revealed a disturbing trend involving heavy-handed policing, inadequate infrastructure, and a culture of hostility that often treats visiting supporters as criminals rather than paying customers. From the UEFA Champions League to the Conference League, reports of fans being funneled into restrictive steel cages, subjected to dangerous crowd crushes, and facing physical violence—including stabbings—have become alarmingly frequent. Institutional failures are at the heart of the crisis. In many European jurisdictions, local authorities employ 'ultra-defensive' policing tactics that include the excessive use of pepper spray, batons, and prolonged kettle procedures, where fans are held in tight perimeters for hours without access to water or toilets. The physical environment of many stadiums exacerbates these tensions; visiting sections are often enclosed by high fences and netting, creating 'zoo-like' conditions that fans argue are a disaster waiting to happen. Recent high-profile incidents in cities like Naples, Paris, and Athens have highlighted how systemic mismanagement can turn a sporting event into a life-threatening ordeal. Fan advocacy groups, such as Football Supporters Europe (FSE), are increasingly vocal about the lack of accountability for host clubs and local police forces. While UEFA has implemented some regulations regarding away fan treatment, critics argue these measures lack the necessary 'teeth' to enforce real change. The disparity in safety standards across the continent means that a fan’s physical well-being often depends entirely on the country they are visiting. As European governing bodies push for expanded tournament formats and higher revenues, the fundamental safety of the fans—the lifeblood of the sport—remains under significant threat, prompting urgent calls for an independent oversight body to monitor matchday operations and police conduct.