The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) is to be headed by Helmut Spahn, a former German policeman who was in charge of security at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and will operate under an Advisory Board that includes Lord John Stevens, the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police who is best known for heading the investigation into the death of the Princess Wales.

The Board also includes Rick Parry, the former chief executive of the Premier League and Liverpool, and Peter Ryan, the former British policeman who was Commissioner of the New South Wales Police when Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympics and is now a security expert for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The ICSS is the brainchild of Mohammed Hanzab, a Royal Air Force-trained former Colonel in the Qatari Air Froce, and has been born out of the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies.

"No-body has really looked into this really seriously," Hanzab told insidethegames.

"We are concerned not to lose the people who were on board for previous events.

"In this centre our primary objective is to take the knowledge and share it with the world of sport, including federations, Governments, organising committees and event organisers."

Hanzab, who will be President of the ICSS, promised that it will be indpendent and not affiliated to any organisation.

"We want to encourage them to interact and to seek innovative and research," he said.

"The message from Qatar is that we want to contribute.

"We are used to organising big international events here in Doha.

"We will try to get the best talent to work for the ICSS to show that we are serious."

Hanzab claims that the idea was already well advanced before Qatar were controversially awarded the World Cup in Zurich last December.

But the lessons learned will be applied to the tournament, which is still 11 years away, he hopes.

"It's a big concept," said Hanzab.

"By 2022 we will have the best [security] plan because we have the best knowledge."

Spahn (pictured) is due to join the ICSS on a full-time basis as executive director in September after overseeing the security for the Women's World Cup to be held in Germany later this year.

"In 2003 I started with a blank sheet of paper," he told insidethegames.

"This is the reason I think this new institutition could bring all the best practice from around the world to provide future organisers with this information.

"This is a really big help.

"We are an independent non-profit organisation and it will share it with people from all over the world."

Spahn is hopeful that Brazilian officials will work with the new organisation in the build-up to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

"I think the experience we will have could transfer easily to Brazil," he said.

"There are different securtiy structures in different countries.

"In Germany, for example, there were 16 different police organisations - we had to bring them together.

"But the whole philosphy to create a security concept is the same.

"We must create a security concept that everyone who comes to watch a game to feel free and to have chance to cheer with all the other spectators.

"Our vision in Germany was 'Try to make friends' and I think it is the same for all the other organisers."

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