Legal Support

1. Do I have to carry an ID Card on me/with me? Is there an obligation to carry a form of ID with me? If I don’t, what are the consequences?  

It’s not compulsory to carry an ID, but under most circumstances it is compulsory to show an ID to an officer when asked to do so. A professional football game is such a circumstance. A person who’s arrested for not showing an ID can be held by the police for 9 hours. The hours between 00:00 and 09:00 am are not included in this. Not showing an ID when required will mostly result in a fine of €90.

2. Is the usage or possession of pyrotechnics legal inside and/or outside the stadia?  

Pyrotechnics are forbidden inside and outside stadia. 

3. What happens if I’m arrested? For how long can a person be held at the police station/in prison?  

A suspect can be held by the police for up to 9 hours. As mentioned, the hours between 00:00 and 09:00 am are not included in this.. After that, a suspect can be held in police custody for three days. This period can be extended by another three days once. After these three days a suspect can be brought before an investigation judge who will decide if they to stay detained for another 14 days. If so, a suspect will be brought to a jail. During the hearing at the investigation judge the suspect will be supported by a lawyer. The lawyer will receive the file just before the hearing. 

4. Which personal details or information am I obliged to provide?  

A person who is stopped by the police is in most circumstances obliged to show an ID. A suspect has an absolute right to remain silent. 

5. Am I allowed to make a call? Am I allowed to contact a lawyer immediately?  

A suspect is always allowed to call their lawyer. During the police custody a suspect is not allowed to call other people. A suspect may ask their lawyer to call his family. A suspect is allowed to contact their lawyer before the first interview.  

6. If I don´t have a lawyer in the country, will I be provided with one?  

If a suspect doesn’t have their own lawyer, they will be provided with one (for free). 

7. What different kind of police units exist? What are their areas of responsibility? Is there any special football police unit?  

There is a national police unit, but football cases will be dealt with by regional police units. Cities that hosts professional football games have a team that deals with football related crime. 

8. What about the consumption of alcohol inside stadia or in public? If it is not allowed and you’re caught drinking, what can happen?  

Drinking is allowed during most games, but it’s never allowed to bring your own drinks. If a supporter is caught drinking in the stadium (in most cases) they’ll be ordered to leave the stadium. Drinking in public is forbidden and can be penalised with a fine. It differs by place how strict the police will act on drinking in public. 

9. Who issues stadium banning orders in the Netherlands and on the basis of which (legal or regulatory) framework are they issued and by whom?  

The Dutch FA issues the majority of stadium bans on the basis of the terms and conditions of the FA. A judge can also issue a stadium ban as a conditional penalty in criminal cases. A mayor and a prosecutor can hand out an area ban. 

10. Anything else?

The Netherlands might come across as liberal country because of its soft drugs and prostitution policy, but this doesn’t apply to all subjects. The Dutch police are not always tolerant of football fans.

1. Do I have to carry an ID Card on me/with me? Is there an obligation to carry a form of ID with me? If I don’t, what are the consequences?  

There is no obligation to carry ID in Denmark. 

2. Is the usage or possession of pyrotechnics legal inside and/or outside the stadia? 

All kinds of pyrotechnics are illegal inside the stadium at all times. 

Except the period from December 27^th to January 1^st, the use of pyrotechnics for private use outside the stadium is also illegal.  You should be aware that bringing fireworks with you when entering Denmark is illegal.  

3. What happens in case I’m arrested? For how long can you be held at the police station/in prison at maximum?  
You cannot be arrested unless the police reasonably suspect you have committed a criminal offense.  If you are arrested, you will be held at the police station and must be released as soon as the reason for your arrest is no longer present. In case you haven’t been released within 24 hours, you must present yourself in a constitutional hearing, where a judge must decide whether:  

1. You should be released. 

2. There is not sufficient information, and the arrest may be upheld for three times 24 hours from the end of the first hearing. 

3. You will be remained in custody. 

4. Which personal details or information am I obliged to give? 

The police have the right to identify you. You are obliged to give your name, date of birth and address.  

5. Am I allowed to make a call? Am I allowed to contact a lawyer immediately? 

You have the right to make a call to inform your family and workplace that you have been arrested. The police can refuse these calls if they consider them to be a risk for the investigation. In this case, they can be the ones informing your family of your arrest.  

Before you are interrogated by the police, you have the right to contact a lawyer of your own choice. In some cases, the police can reject your choice of lawyer. If this happens, you can question that decision in court. 

6. If I don´t have a lawyer in the country, will I be provided with one?  
You always have the right to be provided a lawyer. The police are obligated to give you information about getting a lawyer as well as information about who should cover the costs.  
 
7. What different kind of police units exist? What are their areas of responsibility? Is there any special football police unit?  
Law enforcement services in Denmark are provided by the national police, called Politiet. The regular police force is under the obligation to ensure order and safety and will be present at major sporting events. There is no special football police unit.  
 
8. What about the consumption of alcohol inside stadia or in public? If it is not allowed and you’re caught drinking, what can happen? 

It is prohibited to bring alcohol to the stadium. However, the stadium provides official beverage stands where you can purchase alcoholic drinks.  

The security staff at the stadium have the right to deny access to individuals who are under the influence of alcohol and compromise the safety of the event. If this is the case, your ticket won’t be refunded.  
 
Public drinking in Denmark is legal and alcohol consumption is accepted, though the law forbids “disturbing of the public law and order”.  

9. Who issues stadium banning orders in Denmark and on the basis of which (legal or regulatory) framework are they issued and by whom?  
The police can issue banning orders on the Law on Security at Specific Sporting Events. The banning orders are published by the club hosting the match and the Danish Football Association (DBU).  

10. Emergency Phone Numbers 

Emergency number: 112  
 
Call the emergency telephone number 112 if you need urgent medical assistance with acute, life threatening illness or injury.  
 
You should call 112:  
When you need an ambulance, in case of an accident or in case of fire.  
 
Service number for the Danish police: (+45)114  
 
Call the service number of the police for general enquiries.  
 
You should call 114:  
When you wish to report a crime that does not require urgent police presence, if you have questions regarding your case, if you want to pass information to the police or if you have a general enquiry to the police.  
 
Medical helpline in The Capital Region of Denmark: (+45)1813.  
 
Physicians and nurses will guide you to proper and quick help when your GP is not available. 
 
You should call 1813:  
When your own doctor (GP) is not available or before going to the emergency room.  
 
(When using a mobile phone service based outside Denmark, remember to use Denmark’s country code +45 before dialling 1813. This is not required when calling 112).  

1. Do I have to carry an ID Card on me/with me? Is there an obligation to carry a form of ID with me? If I don’t, what are the consequences?

For German citizens, there is a basic obligation to possess an identity card or passport from the age of 16. However, there is no obligation to carry this with oneself. Nevertheless, anyone who is unable to identify themselves during a police check risks being taken to the police station to have their identity verified. However, especially with regard to tickets registered by name within the framework of the “UEFA Euro 2020”, it is advisable for non-Germans to carry their identification with them as well and thus avoid a lengthy police check.

2. Is the usage or possession of pyrotechnics legal inside and/or outside the stadia?

All types of pyrotechnics are forbidden inside the stadium with regard to the site-specific stadium regulations. When using, you can be fined with a stadium ban and, if the pyrotechnics are not certified in Germany, also with a charge.

In theory, there is no general ban outside the stadia, but the simple fact of carrying or using pyrotechnics in certain places can already lead to police actions. (e.g.: at railway stations, in large crowds).

3. What happens in case I’m arrested? For how long can you be held at the police station/in prison at maximum?

The length of time one must stay at the police station varies and depends on the time when the reason for the measure is no longer applicable (e.g.: end of the football match) or is declared inadmissible by a judicial decision. Deprivations of liberty initiated by the police do not justify keeping anyone in their own custody longer than until the end of the next day after apprehension. (max. 48 hours)

Exceptional cases examined by a judge can justify police custody for a maximum of 4 days.

4. Which personal details or information am I obliged to give?

The following data must be provided as mandatory information: Name, registration address, date and place of birth, nationality, marital status (single, married) and approximate occupation, no more.

5. Am I allowed to make a call? Am I allowed to contact a lawyer immediately?

From the time of the prosecution against someone, one has the right to contact his/her lawyer or must be given the possibility of a telephone call for this purpose. It is advisable to have the lawyer’s number in mind. The contact options are not limited to a single phone call.

6. If I don´t have a lawyer in the country, will I be provided with one?

You always have the right to be provided a lawyer.

7. What different kind of police units exist? What are their areas of responsibility? Is there any special football police unit?

The riot police, as a federation of the federal and state police, are active in providing cover in the context of football matches and receive location-based support from regional units as required. Here they act mainly in platoons of one squad of a hundred each and are distributed primarily among the security around the stadium, access & departure routes and the area of the city centre. Especially in Bavaria, with Munich as the venue, the support squad (USK) operates as a closed unit, which has a nationwide reputation for being tough.

8. What about the consumption of alcohol inside stadia or in public? If it is not allowed and you’re caught drinking, what can happen?

There is no general ban on serving alcohol in German stadiums. However, it is possible that only non-alcoholic drinks are served at special matches or tournaments. Outside the stadia, there may be zones where alcohol consumption is prohibited or glass bottles are banned. In case of non-compliance, this may entail administrative fines.

9. Who issues stadium banning orders in Germany and on the basis of which (legal or regulatory) framework are they issued and by whom?

Stadium bans are imposed either by the host clubs or the league associations, as a preventive measure. The maximum length of time is a maximum of 5 years. These can be issued both for violations against the stadium regulations, for possible offences away from the stadium and do not require a court sentencing. This is usually coordinated with the local police. In individual cases, stadium bans have already been imposed which have only a limited football-related background.

10. Anything else?

Do not resist arrest, otherwise this may be interpreted as resistance, which may lead to further prosecution. The police in Bavaria in particular, with Munich as the venue, are considered to be very restrictive in comparison to the rest of Germany, it’s best to stay away from any trouble.

Remember your lawyer’s emergency number!

11. Emergency Phone Numbers

(+49)     –             telephone area code

110        –             Police

112        –             ambulance/fire service