Support and Assistance from the RFEF to the Spanish Fans in Rotterdam: The Travelling Stewards
Four individuals attend to those who have traveled to the Netherlands to support the Spanish National Team.
Trips abroad are undoubtedly an exciting opportunity for any football enthusiast who chooses to accompany their team or national squad. However, each place has its own customs and laws, sometimes languages we don't master, and a long list of issues that can make our stay challenging. Addressing these difficulties is one of the objectives of the travelling stewards, staff members from national federations who, in coordination with UEFA, assist their fans in tournaments such as the UEFA Nations League Finals in the Netherlands.
The travelling stewards have their responsibilities defined in various UEFA documents. Their tasks include accompanying fans to fan zones, guiding them to the stadium indicating the entrances and their correct positions, or even something as anecdotal as communicating to UEFA if the fans will bring elements of animation such as banners or drums to the stands. These are the duties of the travelling stewards.
Four individuals, employees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), are currently carrying out this mission, providing support and assistance to those who have traveled first to Enschede and now to Rotterdam to cheer for our national team. Alfredo Lorenzo, Director of the Security Department at the RFEF, explains it this way: "Our travelling stewards are fully competent individuals in languages, with accredited experience in match organization and knowledge of security issues."
One travelling steward per 1,000 fans
UEFA stipulates that there should be one of these individuals per 1,000 fans, so this ratio is comfortably met to ensure the safety of any Spanish supporter traveling to Dutch territory. Furthermore, UEFA states that these individuals (either federation employees or ad hoc hired personnel) should have, among their characteristics, experience in away matches, conflict resolution, and handling groups.
On this occasion, they are wearing appropriately identified gray and pink vests, so that any fan has the possibility of finding them and seeking help if needed. "In our case, we have a multidisciplinary team that can provide advice regarding ticketing and entrances, act as practical translators at certain moments, and always be coordinated with the national team staff to allow, as much as possible, proximity to their football idols," details Alfredo Lorenzo.
📸 La RFEF, con la afición española en Enschede
— RFEF (@rfef) June 15, 2023
🙌🏻 Cuatro personas se dedican a dar asistencia y apoyo a quienes han llegado a Países Bajos para animar a la @sefutbol#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/HCBfpXm1Ha
Together with the host country and organizer of the event, UEFA and the travelling stewards from each national team coordinate all actions (under the supervision of the relevant departments of each federation) aimed at ensuring that anyone who comes to support their national team will be safe at all times.
The organizing federation, and sometimes local clubs, provide visiting travelling stewards with all the necessary information to perform their tasks: from visa requirements and customs-related matters to the most appropriate routes and modes of transportation between different points in the host city, including average prices of essential products and dining. Of course, the provided information will include a directory with the main phone numbers and contact channels of local authorities and emergency services of all kinds.