The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) convened on 4 November 2020, by video conference, the National Security and Safety Officers (NSSO) of the member associations to inform and train them about the new safety and security protocol adopted by the COVID is set. -19 pandemic and to oversee the resumption of qualifying matches for the Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.
In total, about sixty security officers, consisting of national security and safety officers of member associations and appointed CAF security and security officers, attended the meeting, who were eager to know how the security protocol would be complied with in the context of these international matches. The head of CAF Safety and Security Division presented the following points:
the organization of competitions behind closed doors and without spectators, the new accreditation control mechanism and new accreditation zones,
the differences between upcoming matches and previous matches, the need for each member association (MA) to have a good safety and security plan before the official matches resume effectively.
CAF on this occasion redefined the missions of the NSSOs by giving them practical advice and guidelines on each of these points. For dr. Christian Emeruwa, Head of the Department of Safety and Security:
“Our aim is to ensure that there is uniformity in security and safety operations across Africa, with the emphasis on ensuring that the matches are played in a safe and secure environment. We are aware of the enormous task ahead, especially how to keep spectators and supporters away from the stadium.Therefore, we felt the need to guide all national security and safety officers and appointed to use CAF security and safety officers under these circumstances.Protecting the players and officials in front “During and after the match is of great importance in our operations. We must ensure effective coordination between safety and security officers and all other health officers who will be involved in the delivery of each match ….” he said.
The NSSOs will be given a detailed protocol specific to each match, which will guide them through the different phases of organizing the matches scheduled for 9 to 17 November 2020.
Since the establishment in February 2019 of the Department of Safety and Security, CAF has worked closely with the security officers of the MAs through meetings, seminars and training; capacity building sessions in line with the organization’s objectives to place safety and security operations during organized football matches as a top priority of its actions.