WRITTEN QUESTION E-2471/00 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE) and Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Lack of adequate facilities for the disabled at the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam.
Date: 2000-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, Netherlands, facilities for people with disabilities, freedom of the press, sports facilities

C 89 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

Limitations, on grounds of public policy and public security requirements, to rights guaranteed by the
EC Treaty should not be in excess of what is necessary to safeguard these requirements (2).

It is primarily for the national authorities to appraise the specific situation and subsequently to take the
appropriate measures in compliance with Community law. On the basis of the information available to it
and given the circumstances, the Commission feels that the measures referred to by the Honourable
Member, appear to be proportionate to the end sought, are based on the hooligan(cid:146)s personal conduct, and
are detailed and limited in time.

(1) Council Directive 64/221/EEC of 25 February 1964 on the coordination of special measures concerning the
movement and residence of foreign nationals which are justified on grounds of public policy, public security or
public health (OJ 56, 4.4.1964).

(2) See Case 36/75 Rutili v. Minister for the Interior ECR [1975] II-1219.

(2001/C 89 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2471/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Stefano
Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE) and Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Lack of adequate facilities for the disabled at the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam

During the Euro 2000 final at the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam:

(cid:129) a number of disabled persons were unable to enter the stadium in their wheelchairs, and, after being
searched, had to be carried to their seats, while their wheelchairs were removed to a different area,

(cid:129) a number of journalists who were filming the event were quickly stopped by police, held in cells and
not released until late in the evening, following some very tense moments which degenerated into a
brawl between journalists and policemen.

What stance will the Commission be taking on this issue?

(2001/C 89 E/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2526/00

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination against disabled people in Rotterdam

(2 August 2000)

At the final of the European football championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on 2 July 2000, an
Italian group of disabled people, holders of valid tickets, were the victims of shameful treatment on the
part of the stadium staff and the Dutch police.

A few days earlier the group had obtained authorisation from those responsible for the stadium to occupy
seats in a section easily accessible for wheelchairs, but most of them were refused the seats when they
arrived at the stadium. Only after lengthy discussions were those accompanying them (cid:145)allowed(cid:146) to carry
them to another section, which was higher up and inaccessible to wheelchairs. The disabled people were
also forced to leave their wheelchairs at the entrance, together with their supplies of water and other
essentials.

1.
Does the Commission not consider that such incidents are contrary to the provisions of the Treaties,
in particular Article 13 of the EC Treaty, which stresses the European Union(cid:146)s opposition to any form of
discrimination, not least against the disabled?