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This note provides guidance for clubs and local authorities on procedures to be followed in cases where ‘near misses’ are identified at grounds licensed by the SGSA.

Background 

‘Near misses’ occurred at football grounds long before the formation of the SGSA and its predecessor the FLA. A study of the reporting of disasters which have occurred at football grounds within the UK will reveal that in many cases that a similar event or ‘near miss’ had occurred previously. 

Why is the SGSA taking such a keen interest in ‘near misses’?

Firstly, the unfortunate crowd related events which occurred at the UEFA EURO 2020 final at Wembley on 11 July 2021 would certainly fall within any definition of a ‘near miss’. Following those events, the FA commissioned an investigation by Baroness Casey into the planning and delivery of the final. The report referred to a ‘series of near misses’ occurring on the day. Subsequent recommendations arising from the report place responsibilities on all key partners including the SGSA to ensure that the events which occurred on that day are not repeated. 

Secondly the emerging craze in football referred to as ‘limbs’. This encourages spectators to celebrate goals scored by their team by launching themselves forward onto the backs of fans in front in an effort to induce a progressive crowd collapse, all recorded for posting on various social media platforms. 

In cases where ‘near misses’ are identified (whether they relate to the ‘limbs’ craze or not) it should fall to the local authority, under the terms set out in the Safety Advisory Group Terms of Reference document, to call a meeting of the SAG as soon as possible. The meeting should examine the incident and consider what must be done to prevent any reoccurrence, assigning actions to those responsible where necessary.

To ensure a consistent approach within the organisation, and allow for monitoring of emerging trends and safety concerns, the SGSA has developed internal guidance on this matter. This sets out the SGSA’s process for monitoring, recording and where necessary, following up on near misses at sports grounds that are licensed by the SGSA. 

What is a ‘near miss’?

The following definition (originating from the Health & Safety Executive) has been adopted by the SGSA in our guidance:

Near miss: an event that, while not causing harm, has the potential to cause injury or ill health.’

However, this guidance is not intended to apply to very minor or clearly isolated incidents, but rather those which have the potential to be very serious. This will always be a matter of judgement rather than something that can be tightly defined in advance.

Who is responsible for investigating ‘near misses’ at sports grounds?

Under health and safety regulations, the responsibility for investigating near misses sits with the ground management. However, SGSA guidance on Safety Certification states that:

The local authority should always convene a meeting of the SAG as soon as possible after any significant incident or “near miss” at a sports ground in order to ascertain whether there were any breaches of the safety certificate and whether the operations manual and / or safety certificate should be amended.

The expectation from the SGSA is that clubs will notify the relevant certifying authority of any ‘near miss’ which takes place at their grounds, so that this process may take place.

What is the role of the SGSA?

To ensure that local authorities are carrying out their role effectively, picking up on near misses, and bringing them to SAG meetings for discussion and if necessary further investigation/action.

Where necessary and appropriate, to support local authorities in their investigation and review of near misses and identification & sharing of lessons learned.

To record and analyse reports of ‘near misses’ in order to monitor for the emergence of any trends, and identify lessons that can be shared to prevent incidents occurring at other grounds.

Where action is not being taken by the relevant local authority to investigate a potentially serious near miss, to escalate the issue internally and where necessary, with other stakeholders, to agree a course of action that will ensure that the incident is followed up in an appropriate manner.