The current leadership of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has read riot act to violence across match venues in Lagos State, hence it has come with a list of stadia permitted and prohibited items.
According to a document signed by the secretary of the association, Akeem Rabiu-Okikioposu, and sighted by Independent News Express on Monday, the LSFA says any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromised public safety will henceforth be refused entry to the stadia in the state. Such items include cans or bottles, glass vessels, knives and blades, laser pointers, pointed-tip umbrellas, poles thicker than a ‘pencil’ (0.5cm), smoke canisters, weapons and ammunition.
The Lagos FA also outlaws from match venues any items that may cause disruption to any event or to other visitors, regardless of whether or not such item is illegal or is carried for specific purposes. These items include aerosol cans, audio video recording devices, balls, beach balls or projectiles, cameral with an external flash or interchangeable lenses (not professional Photography, drones, fireworks/flares/explosives, flashlights/optical illusions, frisbees, laptop/tablets not permitted in the seating bowl, large suitcases, oversized bags or large back pads, pets (service animals exempted), signs/flags/banners, signs or items with corporate or inappropriate branding, selfie sticks, tripods/monopods, unauthorized fliers unlicensed musical instruments such as trumpets, drums and other devices capable of causing a disturbance or nuisance, but football supporters club must have accreditation in order to carry these instruments to the stadia.
The FA noted that Lagosians have always loved match day, hence the determination of the LSFA to provide security architecture that keeps people safe without getting in their way.
“Football events are exciting. They are full of thrills and heightened passions. That’s why we are so passionate in tun about making sure that every event is as safe as it can be because is special, and fans deserve security.
“We draw on our experience and knowledge to devise and deliver football security solutions that will make every football event enjoyable to attend. Good security does not mean that an experience cannot be seamless and on the big day, ensuring safe enjoyment matters. It is on this basis that we might highlight stadium permitted and items on each football event days,” the FA said.
The management of Lagos FA, however, assured the fans that “the security team are working tirelessly in the background, providing the essential planning and organisation which sit behind the glamour.
“The team will work from the venue management, security and stewarding, to orchestrating traffic and parking. Our indispensable services are the heartbeat of any successful event. The LSFA is determined to set standards for the industry, Lagos State Neighbourhood Security Corps (LNSC personnel are well trained, well qualified and full of initiative that suit the project.”
Meanwhile the Lagos FA in the document released also listed some items that are not prohibited but admissible at the stadia. These items include bags which may be subjected to security checks, cameras with 3-inch lenses or shorter with no light, tripods, selfie-sticks or monopods, flags, foods and fruits, plastic bottles, small umbrellas, small cameras and binoculars.
