The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has successfully concluded a high-level Safety and Security Conference Webinar, drawing more than 700 participants from across Africa and beyond.
Held virtually, the conference served as a key platform for collaboration among stakeholders dedicated to improving safety and security standards within African football. Attendees included CAF Safety and Security Officers, National Safety and Security Officers, and Club Security Officers representing top-tier clubs from all CAF Member Associations.
The main objectives of the webinar were to address emerging safety and security challenges, streamline roles and responsibilities, and foster alignment across various levels of football governance. The session also facilitated the sharing of best practices, lessons learned from recent CAF competitions, and strategies for planning, risk mitigation, and incident reporting.
Discussions extended to future innovations and decentralisation strategies aimed at strengthening local capacity. Key areas of focus included venue inspections, joint security coordination, command structures, real-time response mechanisms, documentation, evaluation, and continuous capacity development through training and mentorship.
Prominent speakers and guests from international football bodies enriched the conference. Notable contributors included:
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Samson Adamu – CAF Director of Tournaments & Events
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Helmut Josef Spahn – FIFA Director of Safety, Security and Access
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Stephen Furnham – UEFA Head of Safety and Security Operations
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Brian Johnson – AFC Head of Safety, Security & Access
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Valerio De Divitiis – Head of UNOCT Sport Security Programme
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Massimiliano Montanari – CEO, International Centre for Sport Security
The event explored global trends in event safety, crowd management, and stadium security, with an emphasis on aligning CAF’s approach with international standards.
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A panel discussion further engaged participants with insights from Dr Christian Emeruwa (CAF Head of Safety and Security), Ababacar Sene, Xolile Vilakati, and Zakarihya Diabate all key CAF Safety and Security Officers.
Dr Emeruwa lauded the engagement and enthusiasm of participants, stating:
“The level of participation and the quality of insights shared in the webinar reflect the growing commitment across our Member Associations and partners to prioritise safety and security in African football. This conference is more than just a meeting it is a signal of our shared dedication to safeguarding the future of the game and protecting everyone who is part of it.”
CAF reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safer and more inclusive football environment through stronger policies, global collaboration, and equipping stakeholders with the tools to tackle evolving challenges.
The successful webinar marks a significant step in building a unified and resilient safety and security framework for African football.
