Raynor Attends FIFA/CONCACAF Miami Seminar
Sgt. Lyndon Raynor attended the FIFA / CONCACAF Seminar for National Security Officers from November 4th – 6th in Miami, Florida.
The seminar was attended by one representative acting in the capacity of National Security Officer from each one of the member associations of CONCACAF.
The seminar addressed such issues including FIFA stadium safety and security regulations, crowd management, fire, terrorism, together with a number of case studies resulting from incidents that occurred around the world.
Sgt Lyndon Raynor with FIFA officials Serge Dumortier Senior Security Manager, Deborah Doe FIFA Security Consultant and Will van Rhee FIFA Security Officer.
Delegates were also presented with information about FIFA and CONCACAF integrity initiatives which addressed the scourge of match fixing and other threats to the member associations, CONCACAF and FIFA.
Sgt. Raynor says that he found the seminar “very enlightening recognizing the work that FIFA and CONCACAF are doing to protect the game from negative influences as well as the measures being put in place to ensure each Member Association has the tools necessary to address any issue that may arise.
“It was very inspiring to be amongst colleagues from the region who function in the law enforcement industry and to realize that in some way the issues that we experience in Bermuda are also taking place throughout the region. I look forward to discussing the information presented during the seminar with all stakeholders concerned with safety and security issues in Bermuda. ”
FIFA and CONCACAF believe that “… the member association security officer is to serve as the key interface for all issues relating to safety, security, stadiums and to be in a position to liaise and interact with FIFA, the respective confederations and the local authorities. This person shall be highly knowledgeable and experienced in sports security matters, preferably football, and shall not occupy any other function within the association.”
The BFA said, “In respect of Bermuda, the workshop will lend expertise to the specific needs of safety and security at our venues in Bermuda. The attendance of Sgt . Raynor underscores the level of cooperation between the BFA and the Bermuda Police Service as both organizations work together to ensure a positive and safe environment for football and sporting venues in Bermuda.
“The BFA extends its sincere thanks to the Commissioner of Police and the Bermuda Police Service for allowing Sgt. Raynor to attend the course. We are confident that the knowledge gained in the workshop will be beneficial to football and to other areas of policing of large events in Bermuda.”
BFA General Secretary David Sabir was also in attendance at the Seminar in his capacity as Member of CONCACAF’s Security and Fair Play Committee as well as FIFA’s Security and Integrity Committee.
General Secretary Sabir also presented a proposal at the conclusion of the Seminar to the delegates for CONCACAF to establish a Network of National Security Officers whereby the outcomes of the seminar will continue to resonate among the delegates long beyond their travels back to their respective countries.
Seriously–having ones name attached to FIFA cannot be a good thing.