For the Good of the Game.

Courtesy of the European Commission.

The political debate on sport in Europe often attributes considerable importance to the so-called  "European Sport Model". A review has identified several characteristics of sport in Europe, which allegedly constitutes this model: A Pyramid Structure of Organisation [which I support], allowing for "democratic functioning and a certain degree of solidarity {and level playing field} between members, combined with open competitions".

The European Union has also approached sport through its special characteristics and according to the Commission's 1999 Helsinki Report, [t]here are many common features in the ways in which sport is practised and organised within the Union, inspite of certain differences between the Member States.
Despite these certain differences, the possibilities to engage in positive dialogue on the common concepts and principles, can only be but, I am referring only to Football... "For the Good of the Game".



President of FIFA Mr. Sepp Blatter

The Helsinki Report and the Nice Declaration made it possible to flesh out this approach, which is based in particular on the following elements found to varying degrees depending on the sports and the Member States in question:

•A pyramid structure for the organisation of sport and of sport competitions and a central role for the sports federations;

•A system of open competitions based on the principle of promotion/relegation;

•A broadly autonomous sports movement that may develop partnerships with the public authorities;

•Structures based on voluntary activity;

•Solidarity between the various constituent elements and operators.

In addition, the Commission's Consultation Conference "EU & Sport: matching expectations" held back on the 29-30th June, 2006, stressed:

•the importance of national teams and competitions between these teams,

•the focus on health and the fight against doping,

•the involvement of the public sector in the financing of sport, and

•common management of amateur and professional sport by sport associations.

I believe these characteristics enhance the positive values carried by European Sport and indeed, deserve to be supported.

What is often presented as constitutive of a unique "European" model can sometimes apply to the organisation of sport in other parts of the world or even globally. The European model of sport has been a successful model and many of its elements have therefore been adopted by other countries around the world.

"New tendencies are challenging the traditional vision of a unified "European Sport Model". Economic and social developments that are common to the majority of the Member States (increasing commercialisation and stagnation of public spending on the one hand, and an increase in the number of participants together with stagnation in the number of voluntary workers on the other) have resulted in new challenges for the organisation of sport in Europe. The emergence of new stakeholders (participants outside the organised disciplines, professional sports clubs etc.) and the increasing recourse to litigation are posing new questions as regards governance, democracy and representation of interests within the sports movement".

I see that the Commission is, " is fully aware – and respectful – of the autonomy and diversity of sports and recognises that governance is mainly the responsibility of sports governing bodies and, to some  extent, the Member States. The autonomy of sport organisations needs to be recognised and protected, within a framework that ensures the implementation of good governance principles such as democracy, transparency and accountability. On this basis, self-regulation should be encouraged, provided that EU law is respected in areas such as free movement, non-discrimination and competition.

While different sports may wish to examine their own organisation, the method will need to be adapted to fit the specific situation of each sport. In the sports world, governance usually refers to reinforced transparency and the introduction of formal rules and procedures in fields which have hitherto been governed in a more informal way.

The Commission considers that each sport has its specificities and deserves to be treated differently according to these. The EU will not impose general rules applicable to all European sports. However, EU law will continue to apply to sport, particularly as far as competition, freedom of movement and non-discrimination rules are concerned. Moreover, dialogue with sports organisations has brought a number of areas for possible EU action to the Commission’s attention, particularly transfers, activities of players' agents, licensing systems, involvement of supporters in clubs, criminality in sport, and the protection of minors and media rights".

Kiaora kia koutou katoa. Congratulations to Mr. Blatter on being re-elected to be seated once again Upon his FIFA Throne...Te Papa o te Whanau FIFA (The Father of the FIFA Family) ;)