Emergency signals in football

We regularly read in the newspapers that incidents occur in professional football in the Netherlands involving the use of fireworks during and around football matches. Flares, bombs and smoke bombs are no exception during parades to football stadiums, training sessions prior to (important) matches and in the stands in the stadium. We regularly get the question from people ‘can I buy emergency signal equipment for football‘? and the answer is always: No, that is not possible! But what is possible? What are the rules and why do so many people set off emergency signal equipment?

A case: In the Netherlands we are the only legal supplier of emergency signal equipment of the brand FDF. Did you buy them elsewhere? Then you are in violation, because other sellers sell these products illegally. Always with the aim of making you break the law! This brand has been labelled as ‘illegal fireworks‘ by the Dutch government by illegal sellers and international traders, while this is not the case at all. This is because other parties do not have the expertise that we have built up over the years. Fakkels.com is the only legal seller of these emergency signal equipment recognised by the government.

The emergency signaling equipment we sell meets all national and international regulations and is therefore 100% legal to possess in the Netherlands. Are you allowed to use them at football? No, unless… you have permission from the local government or a pyrotechnic permit.

What are you allowed to do without a permit?

You may ALWAYS carry emergency signal equipment with you or have it stored at home. In the car, on the boat or on your bike. There is no unless, if or but. Law enforcement officers often try to make connections: “you are on your way to…” or if you are wearing a certain type of clothing they make an assumption. However, the law is very clear: There is no but. You may carry it with you for use in emergency situations, on land, at sea and in the air!

What is not allowed is improper use of emergency signaling equipment: The use of emergency signaling equipment without being in an emergency situation. You can be fined for a violation in flagrante delicto, and costs incurred for deploying emergency services can be recovered.

Therefore, ONLY use emergency signal equipment if you are in an emergency situation.