Dear football supporters,

the European Football Championship EURO 2008 is the third-largest sporting event in the world, and the third-largest ever in Austria so far. We expect about 2 million visitors. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has thoroughly prepared itself for the EURO 2008, and defined a clear objective: We want to host a secure and peaceful event. Visitors, guests, fans and football enthusiasts from all over Europe shall enjoy themselves in Austria. They shall feel football atmosphere, inside and outside the stadia, celebrate, and take home lasting memories.

Around 27,000 police officers will ensure your security in Austria during the EURO 2008. They have been well-prepared and well-equipped for this major event. To this end, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has devised a comprehensive security concept placing special emphasis on international cooperation, without which a major event such as the European Football Championship would not be possible.

Therefore you will for the first time in Austria see police-officers in uniforms of other countries. Their presence at airports and railway stations mainly serves preventive purposes. During the EURO 2008, border controls will be re-installed temporarily and situation-related during the EURO 2008 to prevent so-called “risk-fans“ from entering Austria. These measures have proven very useful during the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

The Austrian police will be doing everything possible for a safe and secure Football Festival; more than 1,000 police stations all over the country are at your service round the clock.

Guenther Platter,
Federal Minister of the Interior