Work to be done

UEFA has joined together with the worldwide governing body of ice hockey and the European organisations in charge of basketball, handball, rugby and volleyball in calling for firmer conclusions from the European Union to aid the future development of sport.

'Missed opportunity'
A joint statement issued by UEFA, in collaboration with the other federations, read: "The leading European team sports acknowledge the publication of the EU White Paper on Sport. They note that, whilst the concept of a White Paper on Sport was to be welcomed, the content of the final version represents - unfortunately - a missed opportunity. Much work remains to be done.

'Fair and open competition'
"As sports governing bodies, we are all committed to the protection of fair and open competition, to the promotion of player education and training, to the maintenance of competitive balance, and to the need to protect the integrity of our respective sports. These are all key features of the European sports model and we would like to see the European Commission work along side us to defend and nurture this model of sport - not just for the future development of sport but for the benefit of society as a whole.

Firmer conclusions needed
"Whilst the White Paper contains certain positive elements (regarding, for example, the recognition that national teams play an essential role across all sports in terms of identity and financial solidarity), we are disappointed that the EU has not reached firmer conclusions with regard to some of the key issues facing sport today, thus contributing to its future healthy development.

Autonomy and specificity of sport
"It was in particular expected that the White Paper would give concrete expression to the Nice Declaration including providing sport with a more stable legal environment for the future, fully recognising both the autonomy and specificity of sport as well as the central role and independence of the sports federations (governing bodies) in organising, regulating and promoting their respective sports. Concretely, there needs to be a clearer legal environment as regards the scope of regulatory discretion for sports governing bodies in sports-related matters.

Continued cooperation
"Looking forward however, we will continue to cooperate with the EU Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission, with particular attention to the appropriate inclusion of sport in the Reform Treaty."

Click here for the common statement