Brussels, 20/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the Conservative Group at the European Parliament (ECR), particularly the spokesperson on sport, Emma McClarkin, gave a warm welcome to the European Commission communication on sport. This communication aims to develop the European dimension of sport (see EUROPE). The ECR was pleased that the proposals aim to develop the social, economic and organisational aspects of sport, without, however, generating any European Union interference in national policies. McClarkin said that she was “particularly encouraged” by the proposals to take action against doping, although this had to be coordinated with transnational organisations. She also welcomed action to facilitate access to sport for persons with disabilities and to encourage the employment of women in key sporting organisation posts. “Nonetheless, the Commission should be aware of the limits of EU competence in sport and should not seek to push these limits or seek to create a European identity through its sports policy”.
For its part, the online European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) underlined its commitment to fighting against illegal betting, as sought by the European Commission. It did, however, regret that preventing and fighting against corruption in sport are not mentioned in the communication. The EGBA also warns against setting up any new intellectual property rights (IPR) or specific rights in the sports sector, which would threaten the current and appropriate balance between private and public interests. Sigrid Ligné the secretary general of the EGBA, said: “With the upcoming Green paper on online gambling we urge the Commission to focus its efforts on the enforcement of existing sports intellectual property rights rather than developing new ones”. (I.L./transl.fl)