Helmut Spahn

Helmut Josef Spahn is Director Safety, Security and Access of Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA), former Chief Security Officer for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, former Chief Security Officer of the German Football Federation (DFB) former Director General of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), former president of the prestigious football club Kickers Offenbach (OFC) and spent over 20 years as a high-ranking officer in the German police force.

From 2006 to 2011 Spahn was Chief Security Officer for the German Football Association. Spahn served as the Chief Security Officer for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ from 2003 to 2006 as well as for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Germany™ and has been a UEFA security officer for the Champions League and Europa League since 2007 as well as for UEFA Euro 2012. As Director General for the ICSS, from 2011 to 2017, he was often called on for expert security advice and opinion all over the world in different Sports, including the Olympics 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio as well as the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil and the Boston Marathon for example. In his current function as Director Safety, Security and Access at FIFA he is now responsible for all FIFA Tournaments and Events across the globe, inter alia the previous 2018 FIFA World CupTM in Russia, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, USA and Mexico.

Born 19 March 1961 in Seligenstadt, Germany, Spahn received his training at the Senior Police Service in Wiesbaden and the Police Academy in Munster. He graduated with a degree in Management from the University of Applied Science Wiesbaden, where he also lectured Management Studies.

Spahn began his career in law enforcement in 1984 in Hessen, Germany, where he served on the local police force and did service in the riot police unit. He went on to hold several key positions, including becoming the platoon leader and lead training officer for the riot police unit. Spahn was appointed as the Head of Security and Public Order of the Frankfurt Police Directorate in 2000, before becoming Head of the Special Deployment Commando of the Frankfurt Police.