Fan safety is a serious matter of concern in soccer stadiums in Montevideo. Brawls among spectators became so commonplace, that an El Clásico (a game where the two major local teams come face to face) had not taken place in the evening for eight years.

Until recently, the security system in major soccer stadiums in Montevideo (particularly, the Centenario, the Campeón del Siglo, and the Gran Parque Central) boiled down to a scant number of cameras located in some stands and bleacher sections. These were very simple and basic systems that weren’t very effective. Anytime an incident occurred, there was neither control nor evidence that law enforcement authorities could depend upon.

With the help of H&O, the AUF realized that the best security solution would involve controlling the access of attendees at shows and soccer matches. They concluded that the best means for non-invasive “control”, that also prevent any delay of entry into stadiums, was through face recognition and video surveillance.

Following AUF guidelines, H&O deployed an access control system based on face recognition and video surveillance of each stadium’s entry points, as well as seats, bleachers, and stands. To be completely effective, however, a security system of this magnitude needed real-time image processing. Thanks to Ultra HD and Full HD monitors from ViewSonic, the clear and detailed imaging needed for complete surveillance was possible.

A central control room was equipped with ViewSonic VX2475SMHL-4K monitors that delivered stunningly detailed images ideal for facial recognition and identification. ViewSonic VA2407H Full HD monitors were used for general surveillance and playback of the security cameras. ViewSonic monitors were installed in three of Montevideo’s major stadiums, in three separate stages: the Centenario (13 screens), the Campeón del Siglo (11 screens), and the Gran Parque Central (11 screens).

According to H&O, they chose ViewSonic monitors because in comparison to similar brands, ViewSonic delivered the best possible solution at a reasonable cost. In addition, H&O searched for monitors that would meet the specific needs of the AUF:

• HDMI Connectivity
• VESA-compliant mounts for installation in the control rooms
• Good image quality and high resolutions
• Brand reputation and perceived quality of products
• Reliability and durability

“We chose ViewSonic because of the quality of their products, and because of their great reputation as a partner,” Diego Di Bello, CEO of Home&Office, said. “We also took screen durability into account, and we feel that ViewSonic delivers a more reliable product when compared to other brands we looked at. This project is meant to last five years, and we want the screens to look the same from the first day to the last day of the project, and we want the clients to be happy throughout the project.”

According to Bello, the results have been awesome; the security system is running smoothly and has helped to reduce violent incidents in the stadiums. System operators within the police department are very happy with the quality of the images received.

“We installed some very expensive cameras in these stadiums. But if you install expensive cameras and the playback and images aren’t good on screen, then the whole application is a waste of money. So, we sought the best for both endpoints: the cameras to capture the images, and the screens to display them,” DiBello said. “Actually, the success of our security system is reflected in the improved behavior of stadium attendees. Everything is quieter now and virtually no incidents have occurred in these stadiums.”

While no statistics have been released, a new precedent had indeed been set. Since the implementation of the new security system, two Clásicos games have been played in the evening.

“Now you can see children and families coming back to the stadiums. That wasn’t the case before. They wouldn’t show up out of fear or insecurity. Although I have no concrete statistics, I can say that virtually zero violent incidents have occurred since the system installation,” Di Bello concluded.