The Munich district administration department has expressed concerns about the planned use of pyrotechnics at the opening ceremony of the European Football Championship in the arena of the Bavarian capital. The responsible fire department “appealed to the organizer, EURO 2024 GmbH, not to use pyrotechnics at the opening ceremony after the plans became known in January 2024,” the authority told ARD’s “Sportschau”.
The European Football Union UEFA stated that the opening ceremony before the match between the German national team and Scotland on June 14 was “strictly regulated” and would take place “with the involvement of established manufacturers and professional companies in accordance with the health and safety regulations of the host country”.
The umbrella organization had published the plans for the celebration and announced the use of a number of pyrotechnic products as “special effects.” Among other things, 60 hand-held pyrotechnic items are to be ignited.
The fire department in the district administration department had “particularly referred to the signal effect towards fans, whose unauthorized use of pyrotechnics regularly leads to concrete dangers and injuries,” the authority said. However, the signal effect is not a reason for a ban if “the products are certified, are used by certified personnel and do not pose any danger.”
The use of pyrotechnics in German stadiums without permission is generally prohibited, which repeatedly leads to conflicts between parts of the fans and the associations. The massive use of pyrotechnics by fans at the DFB Cup final in Berlin between Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FC Kaiserslautern recently caused a stir nationwide. Both clubs are expecting heavy fines.