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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| EU signals bigger role in sport | EU signals bigger role in sport |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The European Commission has unveiled 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 says 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 also announces a study to assess whether legislation is needed to govern the activities of agents in the EU. | 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 said politicians should leave sport "in peace" - but Uefa described the white paper as a big step forward. | Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said politicians should leave sport "in peace" - but Uefa described the white paper as a big step forward. |
| Media rights | Media rights |
| Sport Commissioner Jan Figel recommends a "case-by-case approach" to decide whether sporting regulations are compatible with EU law. | Sport Commissioner Jan Figel recommends a "case-by-case approach" to decide whether sporting regulations are compatible with EU law. |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| "While joint selling of media rights raises competition concerns, the Commission has accepted it under certain conditions," it says. | "While joint selling of media rights raises competition concerns, the Commission has accepted it under certain conditions," it says. |
| "Collective selling can be important for the redistribution of income." | "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. | If rights are sold individually by clubs, there must be "a robust solidarity mechanism," to share the income with smaller clubs, it says. |
| Quotas | 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". | The paper says rules obliging teams to include a quota of "homegrown" players in their squads could be "justified" and "compatible with EU laws". |
| Mr Figel told journalists the commission needed further time to study Uefa's existing rules, to judge whether they were legally acceptable. | |
| 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. | 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, says the commission's powers should be extended. | |
| Racism | Racism |
| The paper announces 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 calls 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. |
| 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. |