Meeting in the EU Council on Tuesday 26 November, the EU sports ministers reaffirmed their support for the European sport model. Chaired by Ádám Schmidt, Hungarian Secretary of State, the session saw the unanimous adoption of conclusions regarding the promotion of a lasting legacy of major sporting events and the opening of a debate on the future of the model.
At the press conference following the discussions, Ádám Schmidt praised the consensus reached and the positive impact of events such as Euro 2024 in Germany and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. He noted that the German and French ministers had presented detailed reports illustrating the impact that well-organised initiatives can have.
Asked about the legal certainty of European sports, Mr Schmidt recalled the role of dialogue between Member States in protecting the European model, citing the example of the Super League, which was rejected thanks to collective opposition. He referred to a ‘white paper’ as a structuring tool, while favouring constant exchange beyond the legal frameworks.
Mr Schmidt explained that the European model and the European strategy in this area – the EU Work Plan for Sport (2021–2024) (https://aeur.eu/f/ehs ) – mutually strengthen each other.
Each State remains sovereign with regard to organising its sports structures, but the European model ensures coordination for major events and protects the principles of fairness. However, he warned of the dominance of financial companies, which are marginalising small states, and he called for this dynamic to be reversed.
The debate provided an opportunity to compare national views on key issues such as financial solidarity, inclusion and sustainability.
The discussions were based on the 2021 EU Council Resolution, which sets out the fundamental principles of the European model of sport: a pyramid structure encompassing all levels, from local clubs to international competitions, financial solidarity mechanisms, fairness, openness of competitions, and a commitment to good governance and fundamental rights.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who was invited to take part in the discussions, commented on these principles. “We redistribute 97% of our revenue to the development of football, which includes support for women’s sport, young people and local infrastructure”, he said.
The Belgian Minister for Sport, Gregor Freches, supported the fair redistribution of resources to support both amateur and professional sport.
The Finnish minister, Sandra Bergqvist, called for equal access to sport, particularly for women and persons with disabilities. Nancy Faeser, the German Minister for the Interior and Territory, emphasised the role of sport as a “powerful tool for social cohesion”, in line with European values.
The Spanish minister, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, defended the idea of a broader European model that was aligned with cross-cutting priorities such as sustainability and the fight against racism. For his part, Gil Avérous, the French minister, stressed the importance of striking a balance between the specific nature of sport and compliance with European rules, particularly with regard to competition.
In addition, the European Commission has announced that a strategy on the future of sport will be presented in 2026. Supported by an in-depth study, it will aim to strengthen both governance and solidarity.
The ministers expressed their support for this initiative and proposed specific measures, such as transparent redistribution mechanisms and tax incentives for clubs investing in grassroots sport. To read the conclusions, go to: https://aeur.eu/f/eho (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)