Dubai Police warns against using prohibited items in stadiums

Dubai Police has issued a warning to fans attending sports events to comply with rules and regulations when it comes to the use of hazardous materials, such as flares, in stadiums.

The warning comes after recent incidents in which Dubai Police caught fans at several football matches using marine distress signals, which posed a serious threat to those at the event.

Dubai Police has insisted that sports fans comply with Federal Law No. 8 of 2014 concerning the security of sports facilities and events. The Force has also warned against using hazardous materials, fireworks, or flammable substances in stadiums, as these can endanger the lives of fans, players, officials, and everyone in the vicinity of sports venues.

Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs, Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, called on fans to display sportsmanship and comply with the law while attending sports events.

Al Ghaithi noted that Articles 4 and 5 of Federal Law No. 8 of 2014 concerning the security of sports facilities and events outline the responsibilities of sports spectators and the penalties for failing to meet these obligations.

He emphasised that, according to Article 17, the sports audience adhere to not entering onto the playground itself or the special area of the Sports Event without permission, not take with them or acquire any prohibited or dangerous substances, particularly fireworks, to the Sports Facility or to the place where the Sports Event is conducted and shall not breach the conditions governing carrying or acquiring weapons in the Sports Facility or during conducting the Sports Event. Such conditions shall be issued by a decision the Minister makes.

Anyone who fails to comply with the obligations mentioned above shall be sentenced to a minimum imprisonment term of one month and a maximum of three months, and/or a fine ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 30,000.