NEWS
Concerning violations by Urawa Reds supporters (4th report)
We would like to provide a follow-up report regarding the violation of the match management regulations (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") by a Urawa Reds supporter that occurred during the Emperor's Cup JFA 103rd All Japan Football Championship Round 16 (4th round) against Nagoya Grampus (hereinafter referred to as the "Match"). I will let you know.
Once again, we would like to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to so many people, including the supporters of Nagoya Grampus.
I sincerely apologize.
We would like to inform you that today, on September 19th (Tuesday), we received a notification from the Japan Football Association (hereinafter referred to as JFA) that our club will be sanctioned for this act.
■ Disciplinary action against our club
[Disposal details]
1. Disqualification from participating in the 2024 Emperor's Cup (Emperor's Cup JFA 104th All Japan Football Championship Tournament)
2.Reprimand (submission of termination letter)
[Reason for disposal]
In this match, Urawa Reds was unable to prevent a large number of supporters (more than 70 in total) from becoming a mob approximately 20 minutes after the match ended and engaging in acts that violate the JFA match management regulations listed below. In addition, the team failed to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of spectators, players, and other people involved in the match, including immediately forcing fans to leave.
<Violation of JFA match management regulations>
・Jumping onto the field
・Violence against opposing team supporters and security management staff
・Intimidation of supporters of the opposing team
・Groups crowding into the opposing team's supporter area
・Damage of opposing team's supporters' banners and stadium installations
・Unauthorized entry into restricted areas (areas that can be entered other than by ticket type, areas for related parties, areas for supporters of the opposing team, etc.)
・Running around the stadium
・Installing banners in areas where posting is prohibited
[Presentation by JFA]
https://www.jfa.jp/about_jfa/sanction/news/00032849/
Our club takes seriously not only this disciplinary action, but also the various harsh opinions we have received both before and after this incident occurred, and we will take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring again through the following preventive measures. We will continue to work with strong resolve.
In particular, we believe that the formulation of new disciplinary standards, which we have begun immediately after the occurrence of this incident, will not only help us review our response to violations, but also serve as a deterrent, contributing to preventing recurrence. We recognize that this is an issue.
During the formulation process, we will examine various aspects such as objectivity, fairness, ensuring sustainability and legal basis, and will also borrow the knowledge of external experts.
■Recurrence prevention measures
1. Establishment of new disciplinary standards for violations
We will formulate new disciplinary standards for violations, including stricter penalties, by October 2023. In the unlikely event that a violation occurs before the formulation is complete, we will temporarily impose punishment based on the current standards, and once the formulation is complete, we will impose punishment based on the new standards.
2. Review of operational process for decisions on disposition and cancellation of disposition
Depending on the content of the violation that has occurred, we will add a review process by the club's compliance committee (newly established) and external experts as an operational process for determining disciplinary action and cancellation of disciplinary action. Similar to the new disposition criteria, compliance committee members and external experts will be selected by October 2023.
3. Launch of a third-party committee consisting of fans and supporters and external advisors
We will establish a third-party committee as a place for club staff to reflect on themselves and provide objective and independent recommendations. We will take measures to have a wide range of medium-term discussions on topics such as what the club should change, what should not change, and what new initiatives should be taken, and will be useful for future club management.
4. Timely, appropriate and firm response to violators (including immediate expulsion)
We have a response system that includes the transfer of authority to on-site staff so that we can respond with more resoluteness and speed than ever before, not only when a violation occurs, but also when we detect signs of it. We have already started reviewing the.
5. Thoroughly disseminating the rules for spectators, including prohibited matters at the stadium.
Aiming to realize happiness and peace through sports, we will strengthen our efforts in the United Nations program "SPORTS FOR PEACE! Project", which is being promoted together with our partner Friends of the United Nations Asia-Pacific. We will foster mutual understanding centered on observing the 6 important prohibited items (discriminatory comments and actions, acts of violence, throwing things onto the pitch, damaging property, entering restricted areas, smoking outside of designated areas). In order to do so again, we will strengthen awareness activities on our official website, SNS, Aurora Vision, and other communication venues with fans and supporters, aiming to realize a safe, comfortable, and enthusiastic stadium that is full.
6. Rebuilding communication with fans and supporters
We once again pledge that we will do our best to develop local sports culture and build strong and attractive teams. In order to achieve these goals, we will strengthen dialogue with a variety of fans and supporters, including season ticket holders, leading cheering teams, and REX CLUB members. We will strive to create a club that can be supported by everyone. Regarding specific communication methods and frequency of implementation, we will consider ways to ensure comprehensiveness and continuity.
< Urawa Reds “Rules and etiquette for watching games”>
https://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/game/manner.php
In addition, in response to this decision, the president and representative director will voluntarily return 15% of their executive remuneration, and the directors will each voluntarily return 10% of the same remuneration for three months.In addition, we will take appropriate internal action regarding this matter in accordance with internal regulations. I'm going.
Once again, we sincerely apologize to everyone who has been inconvenienced by this violation.
As I have repeatedly stated, this incident is an extremely serious issue that will significantly damage the positive image of stadium games, which has been built up through the efforts of many people involved in soccer, as well as fans and supporters. We accept that this is the case.
We will sincerely face our responsibilities not only in the soccer world, but also as members of society, and will work to manage the club with determination.
Urawa Red Diamonds
Once again, we would like to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to so many people, including the supporters of Nagoya Grampus.
I sincerely apologize.
We would like to inform you that today, on September 19th (Tuesday), we received a notification from the Japan Football Association (hereinafter referred to as JFA) that our club will be sanctioned for this act.
■ Disciplinary action against our club
[Disposal details]
1. Disqualification from participating in the 2024 Emperor's Cup (Emperor's Cup JFA 104th All Japan Football Championship Tournament)
2.Reprimand (submission of termination letter)
[Reason for disposal]
In this match, Urawa Reds was unable to prevent a large number of supporters (more than 70 in total) from becoming a mob approximately 20 minutes after the match ended and engaging in acts that violate the JFA match management regulations listed below. In addition, the team failed to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of spectators, players, and other people involved in the match, including immediately forcing fans to leave.
<Violation of JFA match management regulations>
・Jumping onto the field
・Violence against opposing team supporters and security management staff
・Intimidation of supporters of the opposing team
・Groups crowding into the opposing team's supporter area
・Damage of opposing team's supporters' banners and stadium installations
・Unauthorized entry into restricted areas (areas that can be entered other than by ticket type, areas for related parties, areas for supporters of the opposing team, etc.)
・Running around the stadium
・Installing banners in areas where posting is prohibited
[Presentation by JFA]
https://www.jfa.jp/about_jfa/sanction/news/00032849/
Our club takes seriously not only this disciplinary action, but also the various harsh opinions we have received both before and after this incident occurred, and we will take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring again through the following preventive measures. We will continue to work with strong resolve.
In particular, we believe that the formulation of new disciplinary standards, which we have begun immediately after the occurrence of this incident, will not only help us review our response to violations, but also serve as a deterrent, contributing to preventing recurrence. We recognize that this is an issue.
During the formulation process, we will examine various aspects such as objectivity, fairness, ensuring sustainability and legal basis, and will also borrow the knowledge of external experts.
■Recurrence prevention measures
1. Establishment of new disciplinary standards for violations
We will formulate new disciplinary standards for violations, including stricter penalties, by October 2023. In the unlikely event that a violation occurs before the formulation is complete, we will temporarily impose punishment based on the current standards, and once the formulation is complete, we will impose punishment based on the new standards.
2. Review of operational process for decisions on disposition and cancellation of disposition
Depending on the content of the violation that has occurred, we will add a review process by the club's compliance committee (newly established) and external experts as an operational process for determining disciplinary action and cancellation of disciplinary action. Similar to the new disposition criteria, compliance committee members and external experts will be selected by October 2023.
3. Launch of a third-party committee consisting of fans and supporters and external advisors
We will establish a third-party committee as a place for club staff to reflect on themselves and provide objective and independent recommendations. We will take measures to have a wide range of medium-term discussions on topics such as what the club should change, what should not change, and what new initiatives should be taken, and will be useful for future club management.
4. Timely, appropriate and firm response to violators (including immediate expulsion)
We have a response system that includes the transfer of authority to on-site staff so that we can respond with more resoluteness and speed than ever before, not only when a violation occurs, but also when we detect signs of it. We have already started reviewing the.
5. Thoroughly disseminating the rules for spectators, including prohibited matters at the stadium.
Aiming to realize happiness and peace through sports, we will strengthen our efforts in the United Nations program "SPORTS FOR PEACE! Project", which is being promoted together with our partner Friends of the United Nations Asia-Pacific. We will foster mutual understanding centered on observing the 6 important prohibited items (discriminatory comments and actions, acts of violence, throwing things onto the pitch, damaging property, entering restricted areas, smoking outside of designated areas). In order to do so again, we will strengthen awareness activities on our official website, SNS, Aurora Vision, and other communication venues with fans and supporters, aiming to realize a safe, comfortable, and enthusiastic stadium that is full.
6. Rebuilding communication with fans and supporters
We once again pledge that we will do our best to develop local sports culture and build strong and attractive teams. In order to achieve these goals, we will strengthen dialogue with a variety of fans and supporters, including season ticket holders, leading cheering teams, and REX CLUB members. We will strive to create a club that can be supported by everyone. Regarding specific communication methods and frequency of implementation, we will consider ways to ensure comprehensiveness and continuity.
< Urawa Reds “Rules and etiquette for watching games”>
https://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/game/manner.php
In addition, in response to this decision, the president and representative director will voluntarily return 15% of their executive remuneration, and the directors will each voluntarily return 10% of the same remuneration for three months.In addition, we will take appropriate internal action regarding this matter in accordance with internal regulations. I'm going.
Once again, we sincerely apologize to everyone who has been inconvenienced by this violation.
As I have repeatedly stated, this incident is an extremely serious issue that will significantly damage the positive image of stadium games, which has been built up through the efforts of many people involved in soccer, as well as fans and supporters. We accept that this is the case.
We will sincerely face our responsibilities not only in the soccer world, but also as members of society, and will work to manage the club with determination.
Urawa Red Diamonds
