WRITTEN QUESTION E-1051/01 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Transfer of footballers - Free movement of persons.
Date: 2001-04-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: age discrimination, application of EU law, free movement of workers, population of working age, professional sport

C 340 E/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2001)

According to the information in the Commission(cid:146)s possession the cooperation agreement concluded
between, in particular, the Spanish Minister of Equipment and the Government of Galicia for the purpose
of improving the railway network is aimed at the network within Galicia.

The Commission feels that it would be useful to point out once more that it is Parliament and Council
Decision No 1692/96 of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-
European transport network (1) which sets out the terms of reference, at European level, for expanding that
network. The latter thus consists of a high-speed railway network comprising new lines to be built and
existing lines to be upgraded, together with a conventional railway network generally consisting of existing
lines. The Santiago-Ourense section forms part of
the conventional railway network, whereas the
Monforte-Ponferrada section has been entered as lines to be upgraded for high speed. The abovementioned
decision does not however specify the number of tracks nor requires that the conventional railway
network be electrified. Council Directive 96/48/EC of 23 July 1996 on the interoperability of the high-
speed trans-European railway system applies to the high-speed railway network (2).

The decision referred to above also identifies a list of specific projects. However, on 24 April 2001
Parliament and the Council adopted an amendment to that decision relating, inter alia, to that list. That
amendment will replace project No 8 by the projected multi-modal
link between Portugal and Spain
consisting,
in particular, of the A Coruæa-Lisbon corridor, the latter including conventional sections
between Vigo and Oporto and Ferrol and Vigo. That amendment thus represents a new political support at
Community level for developing the railway route linking Galicia with the Oporto-Lisbon route referred to
by the Honourable Member.

The Commission feels, as regards the aims concerning territorial balance and economic and social cohesion
that, if account is taken of the trans-European road network linking Galicia with the other regions, all of
the provisions set out in the Community decision referred to above relating to that region should help
significantly to improve the links between Galicia and the other regions. It should be borne in mind as
regards the use of Community financial assistance that decisions to grant Community funding are taken in
accordance with the rules applying to each individual financial instrument.

(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.
(2) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996.

(2001/C 340 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1051/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Transfer of footballers (cid:129) Free movement of persons

Can the Commission state whether it still maintains the position taken by Commissioner Diamantopouloul
in her answer of 19 December 2000 to my Written Question E-3535/00 (1), when she said that (cid:145)the
Community law provisions on the free movement of workers apply to all Union citizens who have
reached the minimum age fixed by the host Member State for access to its labour market, including sports
activities, given the recent settlement of the transfer issue(cid:146) which clearly discriminates on grounds of age.
Would the Commission accept similar discrimination in other industries?

(1) OJ C 151 E, 22.5.2001, p. 187.

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/157

Answer givern by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2001)

The Commission maintains its position, as set out in its answer to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s Written
Question E-3535/00, that Community law provisions on free movement of workers apply to all Union
citizens who have reached the minimum age fixed by the host Member State for access to its labour
market, including sports activities.

This was reflected in the outcome of the discussions between the Commission and International Federation
of Football Associations/Union of European Football Associations (FIFA/UEFA) where it was stated that
international transfers of players aged under 18 will be allowed subject to certain conditions aimed at
ensuring their protection. It should be recalled that FIFA/UEFA were, at first, in favour of prohibiting such
transfers.

The difference in the treatment of
football players according to their age as regards payment of
compensation for their training costs is a different matter linked to the estimated duration of effective
training.

(2001/C 340 E/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1052/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Transfer of footballers (cid:129) Merchandising

Can the Commission confirm that the (cid:145)loss of merchandising income(cid:146) will not be a factor in determining
the level of compensation paid in (cid:145)transfer fees(cid:146)?

(2001/C 340 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1053/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Transfer of footballers (cid:129) Training costs

Can the Commission indicate the likely maximum figures, in current prices, that can be justified in terms
of annual costs for training footballers?

(2001/C 340 E/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1054/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Transfer of footballers (cid:129) Solidarity fund

Can the Commission indicate the estimates it has made on the scale of this fund and its allocation scheme?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1052/01, E-1053/01 and E-1054/01
given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2001)

On 5 March 2001, International Federation for Football Associations (FIFA) submitted an undertaking to
change its rules as regards international transfers of football players. According to the general principles of