Brussels, 18/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 18 January, the European Commission published its communication The Lisbon Treaty and Sport: Developing the European Dimension in Sport. Its proposals aim to strengthen the societal, economic and organisational dimensions of sport. “Sport is important for Europe's economy and a key component of its social model. The measures we have adopted today highlight sport's contribution to our society and will help improve the way sport is run,” said Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.
Under the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union has specific responsibility for supporting and coordinating sports policy in the member states (Article 165 of the Treaty). Far from wishing to supplant national authorities and sports associations, the European Commission wants European initiatives to bring added value to what is being done within the member states. It also wants to enhance cooperation and dialogue with sports bodies. The proposals it sets out in the communication were informed by the consultation with stakeholders and the experience gained in implementing the 2007 White Paper on sport.
The communication covers three main areas: the societal role of sport, its economic dimension, and the organisation of sport.
Societal role of sport. The paper puts a number of proposals. In order to tackle doping more effectively, the Commission encourages member states, which have sole powers to adopt measures, to work more closely together and to exchange best practice. It also proposes that consideration be given to EU accession to the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe. It also wants to develop European guidelines on combined sports training and general education, and to develop and implement security arrangements and safety requirements for international sport events. The communication also recommends that progress be continued toward national guidelines based on the EU Physical Activity Guidelines. Measures to counter discrimination against women (so that women find it easier to be promoted to leadership positions) and the handicapped (to afford easier access to sport) are also recommended.
Economic dimension of sport. The Commission calls for sports associations to establish mechanisms for the collective selling of media rights to ensure adequate redistribution of revenues, consistent with European state aid rules. It says that more focus should be put on sport-related intellectual property rights, for example, in broadcasting of sports events. The Commission calls, too, for the exchange of good practices for transparent and sustainable financing of sport and recommends that use be made of the structural funds. More focus should be put on sport-related intellectual property rights, for example, in broadcasting of sports events. The Commission calls, too, for the exchange of good practices for transparent and sustainable financing of sport and recommends that use be made of the structural funds.
Organisation of sport. Good governance in sport is key to a viable operating model able ensure the independence and self-regulation of sports organisations. Equally, sight must not be lost of the specific nature of sport. The communication recommends the launch of a study on transfer rules for players and the provision of guidance based on the findings. More specifically, guidance must be issued on how to reconcile EU rules on the free movement of citizens, which, despite the specific nature of sport, cannot be put into question, with the national provisions governing the organisation of competitions in individual sports (the Commission has published a report on this issue, see EUROPE 10292). The activities of sports agents and other intermediaries must be carefully monitored to avoid abuse. The social partners and sports organisations have to be supported to create an EU-level social dialogue for the sport and leisure sector.
In 2009 and 2010, the Commission provided more than €6 million to support around 40 sports projects aimed at promoting health, social inclusion, volunteering, access for the disabled, gender equality and the fight against doping. Twelve new projects will be launched in 2011. (I.L./transl.rt)