91999E2424

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2424/99

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Recognition of sport in the Treaty

The 1992 European Sports Charter recognised the social function of sport, while the declaration on sport attached to the Amsterdam Treaty emphasises the social significance of sport, in particular its role in forging identity and bringing people together. Because of its special characteristics, sport has a unique and specific value and cannot be treated in the same way as other economic activities, as it is under current legislation.

The Bosman ruling of 15 December 1995 by the European Court of Justice has made it possible for professional athletes to be transferred freely between the Member States with no restrictions on number, a situation which threatens to undermine national identification with sports teams and restrict the opportunities for the development of young athletes. In addition, by virtue of the subsidiarity principle, the autonomy of the sports bodies and national structures required to regulate the sector must be respected.

The European Council in Vienna on 11 and 12 December 1998 also recognised the social role of sport and asked the Commission to draw up a report for the European Council in Helsinki in preparation for the Intergovernmental Conference.

In the light of the above:

1. Has the Commission set up working parties to draw up the report in question?

2. Is the Commission making progress with the report and will it complete its work in time for the Helsinki summit?

3. In the light of the forthcoming intergovernmental conference, does it think it would be appropriate to table a formal amendment to the Treaty, adding an article to Title XII (ex Title IX), as has already been done in the cultural sector, recognising the specific nature and special requirements of sport and stressing the need for the subsidiarity principle to govern Community action in this field?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2000)

1. In preparing the report on sport for the Helsinki Council, the Commission adhered to the Amsterdam declaration's request that sports bodies should be consulted where important issues related to sport are concerned. To this end, the Commission published a discussion paper which received many responses and comments from the sports bodies. This document was used as a basis for the European Sports Conference, which was held in Olympia in May 1999. The Conference offered a special opportunity for all those involved in the world of sport federations, public authorities, other Community institutions, industry, the media to express their views on sport. Finally, the Commission also took into account the report by the Committee of the Regions on sport.

2. At its meeting of 1 December 1999, the Commission adopted the report(1) in order to allow the European Council in Helsinki to deal with this issue.

3. The Commission has already adopted its contribution(2) for the purposes of the intergovernmental conference. It was decided not to include an article on sport.

(1) COM(1999) 644 final.

(2) COM(1999) 592 final.