Italy and Qatar are deepening their security cooperation, with 15 Qatari police officers completing a 10-day training program in Rome focused on public safety and crowd management during major sporting events.
Why it matters: The initiative highlights growing cooperation between the two countries in managing large-scale events, combining Italy’s extensive experience in football security with Qatar’s preparations for future international sporting competitions.
The details: The delegation included 10 officers from Qatar’s Internal Security Force, known as Lekhwiya, and five from the Qatar Police.
- During their stay, the officers observed Italian police operations at several football matches, including Lazio-Monza, Roma-Real Madrid and Roma-Genoa.
- Training focused on security planning, crowd control, managing organized supporter groups and coordinating police operations inside and around stadiums.
- The program provided firsthand insight into Italy’s approach to maintaining public order while protecting spectators’ rights and freedoms.
The diplomatic angle: The visit concluded with a diploma ceremony at Rome’s Higher Police School, attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Italy, Khalid bin Yousuf Al-Sada, and the school’s director, Mario Viola.
- Also attending were Stefano Carvelli, director of the Italian Police Chief’s Secretariat for International Relations, and deputy director Fabiana Amarante.
The big picture: Sports security has become an increasingly important area of international police cooperation, particularly for countries hosting major global competitions.
- Italy’s model emphasizes coordination among different law enforcement agencies, operational planning and the balance between public safety and civil liberties.
- For Qatar, which has developed substantial security capabilities through its experience hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the exchange offers an opportunity to compare operational practices and strengthen institutional ties with European partners.
What’s next: The training program provides a foundation for continued professional exchanges between Italian and Qatari law enforcement agencies, particularly as Doha prepares to host further international sporting events.
