"In Europe, the issue of closed matches divides supporters"

This call will probably not be heard more than the others, but the number impresses: the ultras of Italian football published, Wednesday, May 13, a text calling to renounce the immediate resumption of meetings, signed by hundreds of groups supporters, representing some 150 European clubs.

This tribune, whose discourse is similar to that of the groups of French supporters a month ago, gathers widely in Italy, Spain, France and Germany. If it is outside the usual channels of expression of football supporters, it reflects a dominant opinion among the regulars of the stadiums, explains Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, UEFA interlocutor on issues of supporterism.

Is this categorical refusal of matches behind closed doors widespread among European supporter groups?

This reflects the dominant opinion in Europe and expressed at national level by the French, the Germans, the Spanish or the Dutch in particular. The general feeling is that you have to take your time before playing again.

But this is not unanimous in Europe. We represent 55 countries and the question of refusing the closed door is divided. The English are very divided, the Norwegians rather happy that their championship resumes.

Supporter groups in England know that many clubs will be in great financial difficulty if there are no games. They are used to seeing clubs disappear and, between two evils, prefer meetings in camera.

As a European organization, we say that the use of closed doors should be avoided as much as possible. It should only be a last resort.

Do supporters seem to be kept out of the decision-making process?

Supporters are consulted quite extensively in Germany and England, but what do sports bodies really do with it when the question of television rights comes up against it?

At European level, the discussion with UEFA is still open, even if we are not represented in the working group dedicated to the crisis. We have expressed our great skepticism about the implementation of alternative systems, which, unfortunately, a lot of clubs and leagues are working on.

Ideas are circulating, such as playing matches in stadiums equipped with green backgrounds, to embed false supporters, with a soundtrack that changes according to the attacking or scoring team. Or an augmented reality system in stadiums. Or the installation of cardboard supports which I believe will not spread beyond Mönchengladbach, Germany. We reject them altogether.

Local authorities fear that supporters will gather in front of the stadiums, as we saw in March in Paris or Valence. Do you share this fear?

Absolutely not. It is a political game in Germany, in particular led by a police union notoriously hostile to supporters, and by certain local politicians. It is not based on any concrete information. The risk is close to zero. In Paris like Valence, the rallies took place before the French and Spanish confinement. It’s incomparable.

It is a fact that matches organized in the city center could represent a risk of the neighborhood kids gathering. but it will be a matter of public safety. We have talked to a lot of groups and people are not oblivious enough to consider gatherings. Conversely, in some countries, the contribution of supporters to the solidarity effort is colossal.

Are fan groups aware of the fact that if they do not play and are denied broadcast rights, their clubs are at risk of disappearing?

The official word, according to which clubs would risk disappearing, is largely questioned among the supporters. In the vast majority of countries – but not in England – a bankrupt club does not disappear.

Of course, it is not said that the opposition to the closed session will last: no one wants to see his club scrapped. The idea is above all that it is too early to replay because the health situation has not stabilized.

Beyond the question of behind closed doors, the rejection of the current economic model of football often comes up in supporters' press releases…

Many people say that we have reached the end of a model and that it is futile to want to maintain it. And, beyond the ultra supporters, everyone is starting to realize how unsustainable the football economy is.

Some of the richest clubs in Europe, such as Manchester United, are forced to beg and ask their supporters to waive the refund of their subscription: this is extremely striking for the general public. Clubs have very few reserves.

The supporters will not change football, but, thanks to the crisis, they are no longer the only ones to say that this model is not sustainable. A reflection is starting and we are making our contribution to this new phase.