WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3099/98 by Umberto BOSSI to the Commission. Professional relations among professional soccer players
Date: 1998-10-16
Institutions: BOSSI, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, free competition, freedom to provide services, labour relations, professional association, professional sport, sporting event, sports body

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/167

(1999/C 135/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3098/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Professional relations among professional soccer players

Barriers should not be created that hinder or prevent free competition in the area of professional relations
between soccer players and sports promoters, or promoters in general, who operate in a complex and
constantly evolving industry.

The system adopted by the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], which involves the drawing up of a special
list, does not comply with Italian law since it does not meet the criteria required for the system to be
recognised as a professional body.

Private enterprise should not be prevented from bringing its inventiveness, creativity, research capacity,
initiative and imagination to the business of competitive sporting activities, where these activities
constitute industrial and commercial activities like any other.

In view of the above, can the Council say:

1. whether the notion of sports promoter, as defined by the FIGC, is at odds with the evolving

Community case law in the area of professional activities;

2. whether the FIGC regulation on sports promoters constitutes an obstacle to the freedom to provide
services, in particular in cases of professional activities being exercised jointly, in relation to the
applicability of the provisions of Italian law No 287/90?

Reply

(20/21 December 1998)

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that, pursuant to the Treaty, it is the Commission
which is responsible for ensuring that Treaty provisions are applied. It follows that, insofar as the
Honourable Member’s questions on professional relations between soccer players and sports promoters
relate to the freedom to exercise professional activities and freedom of competition, they fall within the
Commission’s sphere of competence.

(1999/C 135/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3099/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Professional relations among professional soccer players

Barriers should not be created that hinder or prevent free competition in the area of professional relations
between soccer players and sports promoters, or promoters in general, who operate in a complex and
constantly evolving industry.

The system adopted by the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], which involves the drawing up of a special
list, does not comply with Italian law since it does not meet the criteria required for the system to be
recognised as a professional body.

Private enterprise should not be prevented from bringing its inventiveness, creativity, research capacity,
initiative and imagination to the business of competitive sporting activities, where these activities
constitute industrial and commercial activities like any other.