Spectator safety at rugby matches

Going to a stadium to watch a professional rugby match is a great event. The atmosphere tends to be sociable with a bit of good-hearted banter over a few beers. Supporters of the two clubs mix together and whatever the result, the most aggressive contact is likely to be a hand shake. Parents can feel safe taking their children. Compare that to soccer where the fans are segregated, there is constant barrage of foul language and violence often breaks out.
Safety at the Ground
Due to the uncompromising standards of safety imposed on the operators of the stadiums, you can also be sure your safety is being considered. The irony is that many of the rules imposed are because of football ground disasters.
In 1985, the fire disaster at Bradford City’s stadium, which was caused by a cigarette igniting a heap of rubbish beneath the wooden stand, resulted in the deaths of fifty-six spectators. Exits and turnstiles were secured preventing many people from escaping and there weren’t any fire extinguishers in the stand.
Just eighteen days later the disaster at the Heysel Stadium occurred when a crush of Juventus supporters escaping from rival Liverpool fans caused the collapse of a wall. Thirty-nine fans died and 600 were injured.
Four years after that the worst sporting disaster in UK history occurred at Hillsborough. Just before kick off a gate was opened allowing far too many supporters into an area of the stadium. In the resulting crush ninety-six spectators lost their lives and 766 suffered injuries.
Lessons were learned from these and other events and the safety of all stadiums was investigated and vast improvements made. Many wooden stands were condemned and closed until they could be replaced, containment fencing was removed and top tier stadiums had to be all seater. These advances were also applied at rugby grounds.
Britain’s biggest rugby stadium was given the accolade of the International Safety Award in 2016 and was the only one in the world to receive the honour. The British Safety Council commended the operator for its protection of staff and fans from harm. During an event there are more than 100 medical staff available at the stadium.
Implemented Precautions
At a rugby match the main priority of the operator is the safety of those attending. There are a number of factors which determine the capacity of each area of the ground. It is not necessarily the number of people it holds, but the speed at which they can be evacuated safely during an emergency. The emergency services are consulted with regard to a contingency plan for safe evacuation.
Each stadium must have a safety officer with appropriate qualifications whose responsibilities include the organisation of pre- and post-match inspections of all areas of the ground to identify potential problems. Staircases and aisles must not be obstructed, damaged seats should be taken away and sealed off, litter must not be allowed to accumulate and any spills or leakages should be cleaned up or signposted.
During the match there needs to be enough qualified stewards in relation to the number supporters and all gates have to be manned so they can be opened quickly in an evacuation. Food outlets must have sufficient litter bins and they should be regularly emptied to reduce the fire risk.
Personal Responsibility
The operators of stadiums are responsible by law for implementing the procedures for security and safety, but the spectators should also show some common sense in relation to their own welfare. In any closely packed crowd of people there is the possibility of pickpockets who frequently operate as a gang. Ideally, don’t carry valuables, but if you do keep them well hidden.
When entering and leaving the stadium among a crowd watch out for hazards that may cause you to trip or slip, particularly on steps. They should have been dealt with by the safety officer, but don’t take it for granted. Taking a fall in a crowd risks serious injury.
Terrorism is currently at the forefront of the media attention and the latest types of personal attack in crowded places are hard to predict. A sports stadium is not the usual choice for attackers as escape is difficult and the police are on high alert at such locations. However, be aware of the people around you report any suspicious activity.
In the event of an evacuation you should know the escape route to the closest exit. The crush of the crowd in a panic can be more of a hazard than the reason for the evacuation. Try to be calm and encourage other people to do likewise.
Unlike football grounds, alcohol is still permitted at rugby matches where the supporters have a reputation for their sociable natures. If somebody were to become overly boisterous they would most likely be brought back into line by the fans around them. But a drunk in a crowd could be a danger to themselves and others, so it can be a good idea to alert a steward to the potential problem.
Injury in a Rugby Stadium
Even with all of the safety precautions imposed on and implemented by stadium operators, there is always the chance of something going wrong. If you do have an accident which causes an injury and you feel that the stadium operator was negligent you may have the grounds to make a claim for compensation. A specialist legal expert can help to advise you on how to make a compensation claim for a sports injury should they feel that you have a valid claim.
Proving the negligent action is not always straightforward. In the case of liquid causing you to slip, if it was a recent spillage it could be unreasonable to expect it to be immediately cleaned up. But a leak in a pipe that appears to have been going for some time could reasonably have been remedied or cordoned off. Each incident will need to be viewed on a case by case basis, so don’t assume that your injury won’t be eligible, it’s always worth checking to ensure you aren’t missing out on compensation that you could be entitled to.
Should you get the green light to proceed with a claim, you will need to get witness statements and ideally photos of the location. Keep records of all medical treatment, related expenses and loss of earnings as these can all affect the amount of compensation you might receive. Whilst this can be a stressful experience, it will help to smooth out the process and make the claim much quicker.