Euro 2028: PSNI 'ready' to police football tournament in Belfast

Police kept a presence near the stadium during a recent match between Northern Ireland and Denmark

Police in Northern Ireland have stepped up their engagement with football fans and say they are ready for a major international tournament.

Belfast is one of nine cities scheduled to host matches in the Euros in 2028.

Northern Ireland has previously hosted major golf and cycling events.

Football poses a bigger policing challenge than other sports, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) says, but the force already has plans in place to handle big matches.

BBC News NI followed the policing operation at the recent international football match in Belfast between Northern Ireland and Denmark.

There was close co-operation in the weeks running up to the game between Danish police and the PSNI.

On the evening of the match, three officers from Denmark were also in Belfast to assist with the policing operation.

About 1,200 Danish fans travelled to Belfast for a recent game against Northern Ireland

About 1,200 Danish fans travelled to the game and they organised a mile-long march to the stadium from the city centre.

There are strict laws regarding parading in Northern Ireland and the Danes had to apply for permission through the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.

About 17,000 Northern Ireland fans were at the match, staged at the National Stadium at Windsor Park, in the south of the city.

No trouble was expected at the game, and none took place, but police kept a presence near the stadium, and close to bars where fans gathered.

Fan engagement

PSNI Supt Christopher Hamill said: "Ultimately it's about fan engagement. What the success of this looks like for us is - the fans get here, have a peaceful event, and also enjoy the experience.

"Primarily what we've been looking for is fan behaviours: are they in good humour? Is there any potential for problems to arise?"

Police were watching out for clashes between fans, anti-social behaviour, people urinating in the street and anyone setting off fireworks or flares.

There were no arrests before, during or after the match, which Northern Ireland won 2-0 in spite of being 56 places below Denmark in the world rankings.

In football terms, the result was of little consequence as Denmark had already secured qualification to the 2024 Euros and Northern Ireland had been eliminated.

Afterwards fans of both teams mingled freely, and some swapped hats and scarves.

A new footballing strategy

In terms of policing, much stiffer challenges lie ahead for the PSNI, especially if five matches take place in Belfast at the Euros in 2028.

There will be many more visiting fans and much more riding on the outcome of the games.

So how prepared are the PSNI?

Supt Hamill says: "My honest opinion is we're ready already. We've professionalised the approach to football in terms of having a new strategy in place this year.

"All of that would be in place for a big competition. I think what we'll do is use the model we have and make it even more professional."

Police have also stepped up their engagement with local football in Northern Ireland. More than 60 officers link up with clubs on a regular basis.

At international level, officers often travel to Northern Ireland away matches.

Supt Hamill said: "Northern Ireland fans have a good reputation so we don't have significant issues with fans but it always helps to smooth out those events in other countries."

Although Northern Ireland is one of the host nations for the Euros in 2028 in the UK and Ireland, it is not guaranteed that Northern Ireland will qualify for the tournament.

An artist's impression of the proposed Casement Park stadium

The matches in Belfast are scheduled to take place at Casement Park in west Belfast, a 34,500 capacity Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium which has yet to be redeveloped.

It needs to be completed by the summer of 2027 but work has yet to start.

The UK government and the GAA say they are both confident the stadium will be built in time.