Football Supporters Europe executive director Ronan Evain warns safety standards for traveling supporters are declining across Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Multiple fan accounts from recent Champions League and Europa League trips reveal systematic issues with policing, stadium access and basic facilities. Aston Villa supporter Jude Aston described being locked inside a cage during their match in Istanbul, while Liverpool fans faced two-hour stadium exits in Marseille.

Chelsea followers in Naples reported efficient security checks but felt abandoned post-match when police disappeared and fans were packed onto buses without protection. Spurs supporters described being held in overcrowded areas for four hours before kick-off, with one fan requiring medical attention. These incidents suggest organizational failures rather than genuine safety concerns, with fans treated as security risks rather than paying customers.

The 2022 independent report commissioned by Uefa found the governing body primarily responsible for fan safety breakdowns and recommended sweeping reforms. However, Clifford Stott from Keele University notes little tangible progress since publication. British clubs benefit from organized police delegations accompanying supporters, but the broader European picture shows inconsistent standards that vary dramatically by location and political climate.

Political pressures across Europe appear to be driving heavy-handed security approaches, with governments using football fans as demonstration targets. Despite repeated incidents and official recommendations, fundamental infrastructure and policing problems persist, leaving supporters vulnerable to overcrowding, inadequate facilities and potentially dangerous situations that could escalate rapidly.