92001E2324

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2324/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Under-18 footballers and other industries

In the light of Commissioner Diamantopoulou's answer to my question E-1051/01(1), where the Commission maintains that Community law provisions on free movement of workers apply to all Union citizens who have reached the minimum age fixed by the host Member State for access to its labour market, and that they indicate certain conditions aimed at ensuring the protection of football players under the age of 18, can the Commission indicate if these certain conditions will apply to workers in other industries, and if so what are the conditions?

(1) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 156.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 2001)

The Commission would like to point out that, according to the principles set out in the outcome of its discussions with the International Federation of Football Associations/Union of European Football Associations (FIFA/UEFA), international transfers of players between the minimum working age in the country of the new training club and the age of 18 will be allowed, while their protection will be ensured through a code of conduct regarding their treatment by the training club. It is for the football authorities to establish such a code with due respect for the applicable Community and national rules.

This arrangement takes into account the specific characteristics of football and is not, thus, transposable automatically to other industries.