LALIGA, the OND, RFEF and AEMEF agree on new emergency response protocol at stadiums

LALIGA, the National Sports Office (OND), the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Spanish Association of Football Team Doctors (AEMEF) have agreed on a new emergency response protocol in professional football stadiums, particularly those affecting the public, and their impact on the development of matches.

Among other measures, which will be implemented from the new 2024-25 season onwards, the position of pitch liaison, held by a member of Spain's security forces and corps, has been created. They’ll be on the field, in permanent contact with the UCO (Organisational Control Unit) and the refereeing team, in order to guarantee the effective flow of information in the event of an emergency. 

Furthermore, the health services present in stadiums will be reinforced to include the position of grandstand doctor, who will be responsible for providing initial medical care to spectators. A new communication protocol has also been established for stadium emergencies which, for the first time, also includes the broadcasting of messages over the public address system and video scoreboard to keep the spectators present fully informed.

This new protocol is the result of the joint effort and coordination between the four institutions involved. After several working meetings and the 1st Congress on Technification and Emergency Management in football stadiums, organised by LALIGA and the Red Cross last April at RCD Espanyol's stadium, the aim was to maintain a secure environment for fans and players, and to provide an appropriate, rapid and effective response from the various professionals present: Security forces and corps, health services and the refereeing team.