Frequently asked questions on FSE

Where did I leave my season ticket, and where has my last beer gone at all?

...well, we certainly won't be able to answer all of your questions but hopefully you'll be able to find answers to most of your questions on the FSE network here:

1. Membership
Who can become a member?
How can I become a member of FSE?
What are the benefits / my responsibilities as a member?
When does the membership start?
Does it cost anything to become a member?
Any other conditions?

2. Structure of FSE: Who is Who + Who does What?
AGM (Annual General Meeting)
EGMs (Emergency general meetings)/General Meetings
FSE Committee
FSE Coordination
On-Topic Divisions (subject areas)
How is FSE Financed?

3. Voting and Election Procedures
How can I vote?
I want to stand for election – how do I do it?

 
1. Membership:
Who can become a member?
Every individual (natural and legal person, 18 years of age), formally and informally organised football fans groups, as well as local and national fan-related initiatives and organisations.

How can I become a member of FSE?
Simply fill out the membership form online or send a completed and signed copy to the address above.

What are the benefits / my responsibilities as a member?
You have the right to participate (e.g. vote) at the AGM, actively decide on the direction of FSE and you can also stand for elections. You can participate in events organised by FSE and make free use of its services. For the duties of the AGM see 2. Structure.

When does the membership start?
The membership starts after the confirmation by the FSE Coordination. Membership can end at any time with the submission of a written request to the FSE Coordination.

Does it cost anything to become a member?
There is no obligation to pay a membership fee for FSE at the moment, but voluntary contributions are very welcome as it supports our financial independence.

Any other conditions?
YES! By becoming a member of FSE you officially declare that you recognise the statutes of the network and support its principles:

• do not tolerate discrimination of any individuals on any groups including the following : ethnic origin, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation and age

•  reject violence, both verbal and physical

•  stand up for the empowerment of grassroots football supporters

•  promote a positive football supporters’ culture, including values such as fair play and good governance

2. Structure of FSE: Who is Who + Who does What?

FSE has been incorporated into a members association according to German law. Members associations are owned by its members and democratically structured:

AGM (Annual General Meeting)
The AGM is the highest body, the ‘Parliament’, of the FSE. The AGM is held once a year and it is here that all FSE members decide about the aims, objectives and future actions of the FSE, approve changes to its statutes and elect the members of the FSE Committee for the following year.

Duties: ▪ Examination and approval of reports submitted by the FSE Committee and FSE
Coordination
▪ Ratification of the actions of the managing boards
▪ Election of members of the FSE Committee (simple majority)
▪ Decisions on resolutions submitted
▪ Decisions on all proposed changes to the statutes

EGMs (Emergency general meetings) / General Meetings
Emergency AGMs can be called either by the FSE Committee or the FSE Coordination, or by at least ¼ of the total number of votes of the FSE members.

FSE Committee
The FSE Committee is the management board of the organisation, consisting of the FSE Coordination, the directors of the on-topic divisions and the elected members.

Structure: Two thirds of the total positions of the FSE Committee + one third of the total number of permanent seats within the FSE Committee at the time of elections have to be reserved to members democratically elected by the AGM. Members are elected with a simple majority for one year. To avoid overrepresentation of one particular country within the Committee, there can’t be more than one third of the elected committee members representing the same country.

Examples:

2 On-topic Divisions = 2 seats
FSE Coordination = 1 seat
+ 1/3 of permanent seats = 1 seat
Elected members = 8 seats (max two from one country)

3 On-topic Divisions = 3 seats
FSE Coordination = 1 seat
+ 1/3 of permanent seats = 1 seat
Elected members = 10 seats (max three from one country)

Duties: ▪ Overall running of FSE together with FSE Coordination
▪ Development of annual budget plan
▪ Implementing decisions made at the AGM
▪ Directing the FSE Coordination
▪ Appointing and dismissing the chief executive/FSE Coordinator
▪ Appointing and dismissing On-topic divisions
▪ Preparation of the annual financial statement and report on activities for the AGM

FSE Coordination
The FSE Coordination is the executive body of the FSE handling the day-to-day business of the organisation including all legal transactions. The FSE Coordination is appointed by and has to report to the FSE Committee and works closely with the On-topic divisions.

On-Topic Divisions
Fan culture is diverse. Hence, organisations or networks providing particular services relevant for football fans (e.g. fans’ embassies services, disabled fans’ rights, etc) can develop their work under the umbrella of FSE as so called on-topic divisions. On-topic divisions would cover e.g. campaigning and lobbying, consultancy services and/or networking, etc and are ideally financially independent from the core funds of the network. The FSE Committee approves the creation of an On-topic Division with a two-thirds majority.
Currently there are two on-topic divisions: FSE Fans’ Embassies & FSE Disabled Fans’ Rights.

How is FSE Financed?
FSE secured core funding with UEFA until after the Congress and hopes to secure follow-up funding from UEFA, which will enable us to plan for the next two seasons. It’s been clearly acknowledged by both sides though, that any funding from UEFA can only happen under the condition that FSE can remain independent with its activities. On top of that ,we will also look for other sources in the near future to reduce the reliability one source of funding and to retain/further strengthen our independency.

3. Voting and election procedures

 How can I vote?
You have to be 18 years of age and you will have to be registered and admitted as a member of the FSE. Also, the weight your vote depend on your status: are you an individual member, do you represent a local fan group or initiative, or a national fan organisation?

□ Individual members
Your vote is restricted to one vote. You vote with a white voting card, which you will also use for the election – simply highlight the names of your preferred candidates on the card and put it in the white ballot box.

□ Locally active groups / organisations
Formally or informally organised groups or initiatives active on local level should be represented by an appointed delegate for FSE at the AGM. The group’s vote is restricted to three votes. Local groups vote with a yellow voting card, which they will also use for the election – simply highlight the names of your preferred candidates on the card and put it in the yellow ballot box.

□ Nationally active groups /organisations
Formally and informally organised groups and initiatives active on national level should be represented by an appointed delegate for FSE at the AGM. The group’s vote is restricted to ten votes. National groups vote with a red voting card, which they will also use for the election – simply highlight the names of your preferred candidates on the card and put it in the red ballot box.

I want to stand for election – how do I do it?
That’s easy! You have to register and be admitted as a member first before you register as a candidate! YOU CAN REGISTER AS A CANDIDATE VIA EMAIL AT info@footballsupporterseurope.org OR DIRECTLY AT THE European Football Fans’ Congress (please check our website for further information.