Instructions for citizens and fans ahead of the BiH - Wales match

As part of the preparations for securing the international match between the national football teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales, the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton is undertaking intensive activities from the Plan of Measures and Actions for operational, physical, KDZ and traffic security, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

On the day of the match, changes to the traffic regime in the city will be in effect, which includes the blocking of certain areas and the prohibition of traffic in streets in the immediate vicinity of the stadium.

The modified traffic regime will be in effect from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and 15 minutes before the end of the match, police officers will act at their designated positions in accordance with the adopted traffic regime changes to ensure the safe and unimpeded exit from the city for passenger motor vehicles and buses from previously designated parking spaces, until traffic normalization in the city is established.

Police officers will be deployed at all major intersections in the city with the task of directing traffic participants coming from the M-17 main road and entering the city.

The Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton calls on all citizens and guests to respect the orders of police officers issued in accordance with the modified traffic regime, and to act accordingly to avoid traffic jams and congestion.

In addition to traffic security, measures for physical, operational, and KDZ security of the match are also being taken. Within the planned activities, police officers from the Department for Criminalistics Technique and KDZ will conduct a counter-sabotage inspection of the Bilino Polje stadium as well as the surrounding area and facilities.

Police officers will take legal measures and actions against all those who do not comply with the orders issued by authorized officials, as well as with the provisions of the Law on Security of Sports Competitions in the Zenica-Doboj Canton. In order to consistently apply the aforementioned legal provisions, primarily concerning prohibited items and unlawful conduct, we remind fans of the provisions of Article 4 of the Law on Security of Sports Competitions in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, which defines all violations under the said Law, describes unlawful actions and behaviors before, during, and after the match, and the sanctions for established violations.

The said law prohibits the bringing of the following items into the stadium:

- any sharp or hard objects suitable for throwing,
- pyrotechnic devices (firecrackers, flares, etc.), and
- alcoholic beverages and other bottled drinks.
In addition to the mentioned items, the bringing of any banners into the stadium will not be permitted.

Also, considering the variety of props used by fans, we inform citizens that carrying items that can conceal a person's identity, so-called "balaclavas," and bringing these items into the stadium will not be allowed in the area around the stadium.

At the stadium entrances, a thorough search of all individuals will be conducted to prevent the introduction of such items into the stadium, and individuals who attempt to bring such items into the stadium despite warnings will not be allowed entry.

Furthermore, the said law considers the following, among other things, as a violation:

- bringing or displaying banners or other items with text, images, signs, or other markings that offend the national, religious, racial, and moral feelings of citizens or incite hatred and violence,

- singing songs or shouting slogans, or otherwise offending the religious, national, racial, and moral feelings of citizens that incite hatred and violence,

- threats, calls for, or incitement to fighting or attacking other spectators, stewards, officials, or other participants in the sports competition.

To avoid unnecessary crowds at the stadium entrances, we call on fans to plan their arrival at the match in advance, as detailed searches of individuals will be conducted at the entrances to prevent the introduction of prohibited items. Furthermore, entry will be denied to individuals who behave violently, as well as those under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Entry will only be permitted to individuals possessing valid match tickets. In case of finding counterfeit tickets, they will be confiscated, and legal measures and actions will be taken against the individuals. A large number of operational officers will be engaged, as part of operational security, in collecting all operational data and information, and in conducting operational monitoring of the arrival, stay, and departure of all guests, official personnel, and fans.

Given that parking for passenger motor vehicles will be restricted in the area around the stadium, we call on citizens to park their vehicles in other areas and in accordance with the adopted traffic regime changes in the city, and not to leave items in their vehicles that could be subject to criminal offenses.

The Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton also calls on citizens to immediately inform the competent police station by calling 122 or by directly approaching police officers on the ground if they have any security-relevant information, as well as information about observed criminal offenses, misdemeanors, and other illegal phenomena.