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EU signals bigger role in sport EU signals bigger role in sport
(about 2 hours later)
The European Commission is to unveil a white paper containing ideas that could lead to greater EU regulation of sport. The European Commission has unveiled a white paper containing ideas that could lead to greater EU regulation of sport.
The paper is expected to say that sport should only have limited immunity from rules governing the EU internal market. The paper says that sport should only have limited immunity from rules governing the EU internal market.
It is also expected to announce a study to assess whether there is a need for EU-wide legislation to govern the activities of agents. It also announces a study to assess whether legislation is needed to govern the activities of agents in the EU.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has warned of a possible "war", saying politicians should leave sport "in peace". Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said politicians should leave sport "in peace" - but Uefa described the white paper as a big step forward.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge responded to Mr Blatter's comments, saying, "We will fight together".
Media rightsMedia rights
Other critics have said the white paper is too vague, because it fails to give a clear definition of when EU regulations affect sport and when they do not. Sport Commissioner Jan Figel recommends a "case-by-case approach" to decide whether sporting regulations are compatible with EU law.
Sport Commissioner Jan Figel is reported to recommend a "case-by-case approach". Some critics have complained this will leave the European Court to make the law - as in 1995, when a ruling forced Uefa to relax limits on foreign players and allow players to move freely after the end of their contract.
Some sports federations have complained this will "leave the European Court to make the law", as in 1995, when a court ruling forced European football's governing body to relax limits on foreign players and allow players to move freely after the end of their contract. The white paper avoids making a blanket recommendation on the sale of media rights, saying that they can be sold by individual clubs, or by sport associations.
The white paper avoids making a blanket recommendation on the sale of media rights, saying that they can be sold by individual clubs, or by sport associations - even though joint selling of rights "raises competition concerns". "While joint selling of media rights raises competition concerns, the Commission has accepted it under certain conditions," it says.
The paper is expected to say that when rights are sold jointly, there should be a robust "solidarity mechanism" ensuring that the cash is shared between big and small clubs. "Collective selling can be important for the redistribution of income."
If rights are sold individually by clubs, there must be "a robust solidarity mechanism," to share the income with smaller clubs, it says.
Quotas
The paper says rules obliging teams to include a quota of "homegrown" players in their squads could be "justified" and "compatible with EU laws".
William Gaillard, a special adviser to Uefa president Michel Platini, told Reuters this wording represented an effort on the commission's part to meet Uefa's concerns.
The paper also notes that the commission could return to the question of regulating sport if a new treaty, to be negotiated later this year, gives it new powers in the area.
A mandate for the negotiations, agreed at a summit last month, proposes that the commissions powers should be extended.
RacismRacism
It is expected to announce plans to study whether EU-wide laws or standards are needed to prevent disorder at sporting events. The paper announces plans to study whether EU-wide laws or standards are needed to prevent disorder at sporting events.
It is also reported to call for greater international co-operation to root out racism, and a joint approach to use sport to fight obesity. It is also calls for greater international co-operation to root out racism, and a joint approach to use sport to fight obesity.
Rules saying that teams include a quota of "homegrown" players must not lead to any "direct discrimination" according to leaks from drafts of the white paper.
It notes that agents have been accused of involvement in corruption, money laundering and the exploitation of under-age players, and says there have been repeated calls for EU-wide legislation - but opts for steps to examine the options, before deciding whether legislation is necessary.It notes that agents have been accused of involvement in corruption, money laundering and the exploitation of under-age players, and says there have been repeated calls for EU-wide legislation - but opts for steps to examine the options, before deciding whether legislation is necessary.
The European Commission says that sport accounted for 3.7% of EU GDP in 2004, generating 407bn euros (£275bn), and providing 15 million jobs.The European Commission says that sport accounted for 3.7% of EU GDP in 2004, generating 407bn euros (£275bn), and providing 15 million jobs.
The EU currently has no powers to regulate sport, except in regard to its business activities.
However, the mandate for a new EU treaty agreed at a summit last month, would increase the European Commission's competence in the area.