The brains trust behind Euro 2024 isn’t simply about towering goal tallies and Instagram-worthy celebrations: it has a well thought-out plan to make the tournament ‘sustainable,’ it says.
I always think though, sustainable can be quite a vague term, especially when there are so many angles to discuss around community, environment and well-being, as is the case with Euro 2024.
It would possibly take me until the next Euros to explain everything UEFA is targeting for this year’s competition, and I’m keen to get back to the concession stand of my home before the next match. Suffice it to say it’s an extensive list of tactics that tackle recycling, climate action, better infrastructure, rights protection, diversity and inclusion, health and well-being, youth protection and charity, amid a kitbag full of other bits and pieces.
So, I wondered then what to focus on to pull you away from replays of Jude Bellingham’s wonderful header against Serbia?
I thought the “social” aspect of the plan is what stood out, from anti-discrimination prevention to the promotion of healthy food and exercise – this is where soccer comes into its own.
The key idea here for UEFA is the “common passion” of people – football – no matter their nationality, background, ability or age. These are all good intentions, if they can be achieved.
But how do you actually act on this type of pie-in-the-sky concept?
You’ll be pleased to see that in this instance UEFA has put some realistic goals in place, including:
- Assessing potential risks at every match
- Offering all-gender toilets in each stadium
- Monitoring and remedying online abuse
- Ensuring children are safe and protected
- Providing access for all at stadiums
- Offering a point of contact for discriminatory incidents
- Making sure there’s always access to healthy food and drink.
Honestly, I could go on, but you get the point. There is intent here to make it a tournament for everyone.
And yet, after I penned this with a lot of hope, I did see some reports of fans waiting in the rain, walking miles and being stranded in trams. I mean hopefully this is all rectified quickly. Intention is wonderful, though only half of any good strategy.
As I read UEFA’s plan I did get excited. One of my favourite aspects of it is something they’re calling ‘dedicated walking routes’ to stadiums. With this I imagined something like the walk to London Stadium, or the trek to centrally-located grounds like Newcastle’s St James’ Park. UEFA seems to have considered this. Though the travel experience at Euro ’24 may be varied to this point.
Sports fans of all stripes and colours know there’s nothing worse than stepping off a train or hopping from a bus and having absolutely no clue how to walk to the stadium gates, even if it’s a short stroll. Listen, sometimes there’s no pedestrian crossing or footpath to speak of, other times an overzealous street vendor redirects you to his unusually elaborate hat collection. Before you know it, you’re all turned around, twenty bucks lighter and facing the wrong way in an ill-fitted beanie.
So as I say, at least UEFA is thinking of practical ideas, which only serve to make the football experience better. The question is can it pull it off against the odds?
By J.P. Pelosi
*ESG stands for environment, sustainability and governance.
The Soccer Pitch Is Green 