White Paper - White Paper on Sport {SEC(2007) 932} {SEC(2007) 934} {SEC(2007) 935} {SEC(2007) 936}
Date: 2007-07-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU publication, economic consequence, education, fight against crime, performance drugs, public health, social role, sport

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 11.7.2007 
COM(2007) 391 final 

WHITE PAPER 

WHITE PAPER ON SPORT 

(presented by the Commission) 

{SEC(2007) 932} 
{SEC(2007) 934} 
{SEC(2007) 935} 
{SEC(2007) 936} 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

"Sport  is  part  of  every  man  and  woman's  heritage  and  its  absence  can  never  be 
compensated for." – Pierre de Coubertin1 

Sport2 is a growing social and economic phenomenon which makes an important contribution 
to the European Union's strategic objectives of solidarity and prosperity. The Olympic ideal of 
developing sport to promote peace and understanding among nations and cultures as well as 
the education of young people was born in Europe and has been fostered by the International 
Olympic Committee and the European Olympic Committees. 

Sport attracts European citizens, with a majority of people taking part in sporting activities on 
a regular basis. It generates important values such as team spirit, solidarity, tolerance and fair 
play, contributing to personal development and fulfilment. It promotes the active contribution 
of  EU  citizens  to  society  and  thereby  helps  to  foster  active  citizenship.  The  Commission 
acknowledges  the  essential  role  of  sport  in  European  society,  in  particular  when  it  needs  to 
bring itself closer to citizens and to tackle issues that matter directly to them. 

However,  sport  is  also  confronted  with  new  threats  and  challenges  which  have  emerged  in 
European  society,  such  as  commercial  pressure,  exploitation  of  young  players,  doping, 
racism, violence, corruption and money laundering. 

This initiative marks the first time that the Commission is addressing sport-related issues in a 
comprehensive manner. Its overall objective is to give strategic orientation on the role of sport 
in Europe, to encourage debate on specific problems, to enhance the visibility of sport in EU 
policy-making and to raise public awareness of the needs and specificities of the sector. The 
initiative aims to illustrate important issues such as the application of EU law to sport. It also 
seeks to set out further sports-related action at EU level. 

This White Paper is not starting from scratch. Sport is subject to the application of the acquis 
communautaire and European policies in a number of areas already have a considerable and 
growing impact on sport. 

The  important  role  of  sport  in  European  society  and  its  specific  nature  were  recognised  in 
December 2000 in the European Council’s Declaration on the specific characteristics of sport 
and its social function in Europe, of which account should be taken in implementing common 
policies (the "Nice Declaration"). It points out that sporting organisations and Member States 
have a primary responsibility in the conduct of sporting affairs, with a central role for sports 
federations. It clarifies that sporting organisations have to exercise their task to organise and 
promote their  particular  sports "with due regard  to national and Community  legislation". At 
the same time, it recognises that, "even though not having any direct powers in this area, the 
Community must, in its action under the various Treaty provisions, take account of the social, 
educational  and  cultural  functions  inherent  in  sport  and  making  it  special,  in  order  that  the 

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Pierre  de  Coubertin  (1863-1937),  French  pedagogue  and  historian,  founder  of  the  modern  Olympic 
Games. 
For the sake of clarity and simplicity, this White Paper will use the definition of "sport" established by 
the Council of Europe: "all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, 
aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or 
obtaining results in competition at all levels." 

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code  of  ethics  and  the  solidarity  essential  to  the  preservation  of  its  social  role  may  be 
respected and nurtured." The European institutions have recognised the specificity of the role 
sport  plays  in  European  society,  based  on  volunteer-driven  structures,  in  terms  of  health, 
education, social integration, and culture. 

The  European  Parliament  has  followed  the  various  challenges  facing  European  sport  with 
keen interest and has regularly dealt with sporting issues in recent years. 

In  preparing  this  White  Paper,  the  Commission  has  held  numerous  consultations  with  sport 
stakeholders  on  issues  of  common  interest  as  well  as  an  on-line  consultation.  They  have 
demonstrated that considerable expectations exist concerning the role of sport in Europe and 
EU action in this area. 

This  White  Paper  focuses  on  the  societal  role  of  sport,  its  economic  dimension  and  its 
organisation  in  Europe,  and  on  the  follow-up  that  will  be  given  to  this  initiative.  Concrete 
proposals for further EU action are brought together in an Action Plan named after Pierre de 
Coubertin  which  contains  activities  to  be  implemented  or  supported  by  the  Commission.  A 
Staff  Working  Document  contains  the  background  and  context  of  the  proposals,  including 
annexes  on  Sport  and  EU  Competition  Rules,  Sport  and  Internal  Market  Freedoms,  and  on 
consultations with stakeholders. 

2. 

THE SOCIETAL ROLE OF SPORT 

Sport  is  an  area  of  human  activity  that  greatly  interests  citizens  of  the  European  Union  and 
has  enormous  potential  for  bringing  them  together,  reaching  out  to  all,  regardless  of  age  or 
social origin. According to a November 2004 Eurobarometer survey3, approximately 60% of 
European citizens participate in sporting activities on a regular basis within or outside some 
700,000 clubs, which are themselves members of a plethora of associations and federations. 
The vast majority of sporting activity takes place in amateur structures. Professional sport is 
of  growing  importance  and  contributes  equally  to  the  societal  role  of  sport.  In  addition  to 
improving  the  health  of  European  citizens,  sport  has  an  educational  dimension  and  plays  a 
social,  cultural  and  recreational  role.  The  societal  role  of  sport  also  has  the  potential  to 
strengthen the Union's external relations. 

2.1 Enhancing public health through physical activity 

Lack  of  physical  activity  reinforces  the  occurrence  of  overweight,  obesity  and  a  number  of 
chronic conditions such as cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes, which reduce the quality of 
life, put individuals' lives at risk and are a burden on health budgets and the economy. 

The Commission's White Paper "A Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity 
related  health  issues"4  underlines  the  importance  of  taking  pro-active  steps  to  reverse  the 
decline in physical activity, and actions suggested in the area of physical activity in the two 
White Papers will complement each other. 

As a tool for health-enhancing physical activity, the sport movement has a greater influence 
than  any  other  social  movement.  Sport  is  attractive  to  people  and  has  a  positive  image. 

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Special Eurobarometer (2004): The Citizens of the European Union and Sport. 
COM(2007)279 final of 30.5.2007 

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However, the recognised potential of the sport movement to foster health-enhancing physical 
activity often remains under-utilised and needs to be developed. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate 
physical  activity  (including  but  not  limited  to  sport)  per  day  for  adults  and  60  minutes  for 
children. Public authorities and private organisations in Member States should all contribute 
to  reaching  this  objective.  Recent  studies  tend  to  show  that  sufficient  progress  is  not  being 
made. 

(1) The Commission proposes to develop new physical activity guidelines with the Member 
States before the end of 2008. 

The  Commission  recommends  strengthening  the  cooperation  between  the  health,  education 
and sport sectors to be promoted at ministerial level in the Member States in order to define 
and implement coherent strategies to reduce overweight, obesity and other health risks. In this 
context, the Commission encourages Member States to examine how to promote the concept 
of active living through the national education and training systems, including the training of 
teachers. 

Sport  organisations  are  encouraged  to  take  into  account  their  potential  for  health-enhancing 
physical activity and to undertake activities for this purpose. The Commission will facilitate 
the exchange of information and good practice, in particular in relation to young people, with 
a focus on the grassroots level. 

(2)  The  Commission  will  support  an  EU  Health-Enhancing  Physical  Activity  (HEPA) 
network and, if appropriate, smaller and more focussed networks dealing with specific aspects 
of the topic. 

(3) The Commission will make health-enhancing physical activity a cornerstone of its sport-
related  activities  and  will  seek  to  take  this  priority  better  into  account  in  relevant  financial 
instruments, including: 

•  The  7th  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and  Technological  Development  (lifestyle 

aspects of health); 

•  The Public Health Programme 2007-2013; 

•  The Youth and Citizenship programmes (cooperation between sport organisations, schools, 

civil society, parents and other partners at local level); 

•  The Lifelong Learning Programme (teacher training and cooperation between schools). 

2.2 Joining forces in the fight against doping 

Doping  poses  a  threat  to  sport  worldwide,  including  European  sports.  It  undermines  the 
principle of open and fair competition. It is a demotivating factor for sport in general and puts 
the professional under unreasonable pressure. It seriously affects the image of sport and poses 
a serious threat to individual health. At European level, the fight against doping must take into 
account both a law-enforcement and a health and prevention dimension. 

(4) Partnerships could be developed between Member State law enforcement agencies (border 

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guards,  national  and  local  police,  customs  etc.),  laboratories  accredited  by  the  World  Anti-
Doping  Agency  (WADA)  and  INTERPOL  to  exchange  information  about  new  doping 
substances  and  practices  in  a  timely  manner  and  in  a  secure  environment.  The  EU  could 
support such efforts through training courses and networking between training centres for law 
enforcement officers. 

The  Commission  recommends  that  trade  in  illicit  doping  substances  be  treated  in  the  same 
manner as trade in illicit drugs throughout the EU. 

The Commission calls on all actors with a responsibility for public health to take the health-
hazard aspects of doping into account. It calls on sport organisations to develop rules of good 
practice to ensure that young sportsmen and sportswomen are better informed and educated of 
doping  substances,  prescription  medicines  which  may  contain  them,  and  their  health 
implications. 

The  EU  would  benefit  from  a  more  coordinated  approach  in  the  fight  against  doping,  in 
particular  by  defining  common  positions  in  relation  to  the  Council  of  Europe,  WADA  and 
UNESCO, and through the exchange of information and good practice between Governments, 
national  anti-doping  organisations  and  laboratories.  Proper  implementation  of  the  UNESCO 
Convention  against  Doping  in  Sport  by  the  Member  States  is  particularly  important  in  this 
context. 

(5)  The  Commission  will  play  a  facilitating  role,  for  example  by  supporting  a  network  of 
national anti-doping organisations of Member States. 

2.3 Enhancing the role of sport in education and training 

Through its role in formal and non-formal education, sport reinforces Europe's human capital. 
The values conveyed through sport help develop knowledge, motivation, skills and readiness 
for personal effort. Time spent in sport activities at school and at university produces health 
and education benefits which need to be enhanced. 

Based on experience gained during the 2004 European Year of Education through Sport, the 
Commission  encourages  support  for  sport  and  physical  activity  through  various  policy 
initiatives in the field of education and training, including the development of social and civic 
competences in accordance with the 2006 Recommendation on key competences for lifelong 
learning.5 

(6) Sport and physical activity can be supported through the Lifelong Learning programme. 
Promoting participation in educational opportunities through sport is thus a priority topic for 
school partnerships supported by the Comenius programme, for structured actions in the field 
of vocational education and training through the Leonardo da Vinci programme, for thematic 
networks and mobility in the field of higher education supported by the Erasmus programme, 
as  well  as  multilateral  projects  in  the  field  of  adult  training  supported  by  the  Grundtvig 
programme. 

(7) The sport sector can also apply for support through the individual calls for proposals on 
the  implementation  of  the  European  Qualifications  Framework  (EQF)  and  the  European 

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Recommendation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council,  of  18  December  2006,  on  key 
competences for lifelong learning (Official Journal L 394 of 30.12.2006). 

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Credit  System  for  Vocational  Education  and  Training  (ECVET).  The  sport  sector  has  been 
involved  in  the  development  of  the  EQF  and  has  been  selected  for  financial  support  in 
2007/2008. In view of the high professional mobility of sportspeople, and without prejudice to 
Directive 2005/36/EC on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, it may also be 
identified as a pilot sector for the implementation of ECVET to increase the transparency of 
national competence and qualification systems. 

(8) The Commission will introduce the award of a European label to schools actively involved 
in supporting and promoting physical activities in a school environment. 

In order to ensure the reintegration of professional sportspersons into the labour market at the 
end  of  their  sporting  careers,  the  Commission  emphasises  the  importance  of  taking  into 
account at an early stage the need to provide "dual career" training for young sportsmen and 
sportswomen  and  to  provide  high  quality  local  training  centres  to  safeguard  their  moral, 
educational and professional interests. 

The Commission has launched a study on the training of young sportsmen and sportswomen 
in Europe, the results of which could feed into the abovementioned policies and programmes. 

Investment  in  and  promotion  of  training  of  young  talented  sportsmen  and  sportswomen  in 
proper  conditions  is  crucial  for  a  sustainable  development  of  sport  at  all  levels.  The 
Commission  stresses  that  training  systems  for  talented  young  sportsmen  and  sportswomen 
should  be  open  to  all  and  must  not  lead  to  discrimination  between  EU  citizens  based  on 
nationality. 

(9)  Rules  requiring  that  teams  include  a  certain  quota  of  locally  trained  players  could  be 
accepted as being compatible with the Treaty provisions on free movement of persons if they 
do  not  lead  to  any  direct  discrimination  based  on  nationality  and  if  possible  indirect 
discrimination  effects  resulting  from  them  can  be  justified  as  being  proportionate  to  a 
legitimate objective pursued, such as to enhance and protect the training and development of 
talented  young  players.  The  ongoing  study  on  the  training  of  young  sportsmen  and 
sportswomen in Europe will provide valuable input for this analysis. 

2.4 Promoting volunteering and active citizenship through sport 

Participation  in  a  team,  principles  such  as  fair-play,  compliance  with  the  rules  of  the  game, 
respect for others, solidarity and discipline as well as the organisation of amateur sport based 
on  non-profit  clubs  and  volunteering  reinforce  active  citizenship.  Volunteering  in  sport 
organisations provides many occasions for non-formal education which need to be recognised 
and enhanced. Sport also provides attractive possibilities for young people's engagement and 
involvement  in  society  and  may  have  a  beneficial  effect  in  helping  people  steer  away  from 
delinquency. 

There  are,  however,  new  trends  in  the  way  people,  particularly  the  young,  practice  sport. 
There is a growing tendency to practise sport individually, rather than collectively and in an 
organised structure, which is resulting in a declining volunteer base for amateur sport clubs. 

(10) Together with the Member States, the Commission will identify key challenges for non-
profit  sport  organisations  and  the  main  characteristics  of  services  provided  by  these 
organisations. 

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(11)  The  Commission  will  support  grassroots  sport  through  the  Europe  for  Citizens 
programme. 

(12) The Commission will furthermore propose to encourage young people's volunteering in 
sport  through  the  Youth  in  Action  programme  in  fields  such  as  youth  exchanges  and 
voluntary service for sporting events. 

(13)  The  Commission  will  further  develop  exchange  of  information  and  best  practice  on 
volunteering in sport involving Member States, sport organisations and local authorities. 

(14) In order to understand better the specific demands and needs of the voluntary sport sector 
in  national  and  European  policy  making,  the  Commission  will  launch  a  European  study  on 
volunteering in sport. 

2.5 Using the potential of sport for social inclusion, integration and equal opportunities 

Sport makes an important contribution to economic and social cohesion and more integrated 
societies. All residents should have access to sport. The specific needs and situation of under-
represented groups therefore need to be addressed, and the special role that sport can play for 
young people, people with disabilities and people from less privileged backgrounds must be 
taken  into  account.  Sport  can  also  facilitate  the  integration  into  society  of  migrants  and 
persons of foreign origin as well as support inter-cultural dialogue. 

Sport  promotes  a  shared  sense  of  belonging  and  participation  and  may  therefore  also  be  an 
important  tool  for  the  integration  of  immigrants.  It  is  in  this  context  that  making  available 
spaces  for sport  and  supporting  sport-related activities is important for allowing  immigrants 
and the host society to interact together in a positive way. 

The  Commission  believes  that  better  use  can  be  made  of  the  potential  of  sport  as  an 
instrument for social inclusion in the policies, actions and programmes of the European Union 
and of Member States. This includes the contribution of sport to job creation and to economic 
growth  and  revitalisation,  particularly  in  disadvantaged  areas.  Non-profit  sport  activities 
contributing to social cohesion and social inclusion of vulnerable groups can be considered as 
social services of general interest. 

The Open Method of Coordination on social protection and social inclusion will continue to 
include  sport  as  a  tool  and  indicator.  Studies,  seminars,  conferences,  policy  proposals  and 
action plans will include access to sport and/or belonging to social sport structures as a key 
element for analysis of social exclusion. 

(15) The Commission will suggest to Member States that the PROGRESS programme and the 
Lifelong  Learning,  Youth  in  Action  and  Europe  for  Citizens  programmes  support  actions 
promoting social inclusion through sport and combating discrimination in sport. In the context 
of  cohesion  policy,  Member  States  should  consider  the  role  of  sports  in  the  field  of  social 
inclusion,  integration  and  equal  opportunities  as  part  of  their  programming  of  the  European 
Social  Fund  and  the  European  Regional  Development  Fund,  and  they  are  encouraged  to 
promote action under the European Integration Fund. 

The  Commission  furthermore  encourages  Member  States  and  sport  organisations  to  adapt 
sport infrastructure to take into account the needs of people with disabilities. Member States 
and local authorities should ensure that sport venues and accommodations are accessible for 

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people with disabilities. Specific criteria should be adopted for ensuring equal access to sport 
for all pupils, and specifically for children with disabilities. Training of monitors, volunteers 
and host staff of clubs and organisations for the purpose of welcoming people with disabilities 
will be promoted. In its consultations with sport stakeholders, the Commission takes special 
care to maintain a dialogue with representatives of sportspeople with disabilities. 

(16) The Commission, in its Action Plan on the European Union Disability Strategy, will take 
into  account  the  importance  of  sport  for  disabled  people  and  will  support  Member  State 
actions in this field. 

(17) In the framework of its Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men 2006-2010, the 
Commission  will  encourage  the  mainstreaming  of  gender  issues  into  all  its  sports-related 
activities,  with  a  specific  focus  on  access  to  sport  for  immigrant  women  and  women  from 
ethnic minorities, women's access to decision-making positions in sport and media coverage 
of women in sport. 

2.6 Strengthening the prevention of and fight against racism and violence 

Violence at sport events, especially at football grounds, remains a disturbing problem and can 
take  different  forms.  It  has  been  shifting  from  inside  stadiums  to  outside,  including  urban 
areas.  The  Commission  is  committed  to  contributing  to  the  prevention  of  incidents  by 
promoting  and  facilitating  dialogue  with  Member  States,  international  organisations  (e.g. 
Council of Europe), sport organisations, law enforcement services and other stakeholders (e.g. 
supporters' organisations and local authorities). Law enforcement authorities cannot deal with 
the underlying causes of sport violence in isolation. 

The  Commission  also  encourages  the  exchange  of  best  practice  and  of  operational 
information  on  risk-supporters  among  police  services  and/or  sport  authorities.  Particular 
importance will be given to police training on crowd management and hooliganism. 

Sport  involves  all  citizens  regardless  of  gender,  race,  age,  disability,  religion  and  belief, 
sexual  orientation  and  social  or  economic  background.  The  Commission  has  repeatedly 
condemned  all  manifestations  of  racism  and  xenophobia,  which  are  incompatible  with  the 
values of the EU. 

(18)  As  regards  racist  and  xenophobic  attitudes,  the  Commission  will  continue  to  promote 
dialogue  and  exchange  of  best  practices  in  existing  cooperation  frameworks  such  as  the 
Football against Racism in Europe network (FARE). 

 The  Commission  recommends  sport  federations  to  have  procedures  for  dealing  with  racist 
abuse  during  matches,  based  on  existing  initiatives.  It  also  recommends  strengthening 
provisions regarding discrimination in licensing systems for clubs (see section 4.7). 

The Commission will: 

(19)  Promote,  in  accordance  with  the  domestic  and  EU  rules  applicable,  the  exchange  of 
operational information and practical know-how and experience on the prevention of violent 
and racist incidents between law enforcement services and with sport organisations; 

(20) Analyse possibilities for new legal instruments and other EU-wide standards to prevent 
public disorder at sport events; 

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(21) Promote a multidisciplinary approach to preventing anti-social behaviour, with a special 
focus  given  to  socio-educational  actions  such  as  fan-coaching  (long-term  work  with 
supporters to develop a positive and non-violent attitude); 

(22)  Strengthen  regular  and  structured  cooperation  among  law  enforcement  services,  sport 
organisations and other stakeholders; 

(23)  Encourage  the  use  of  the  following  programmes  to  contribute  to  the  prevention  of  and 
fight  against  violence  and  racism  in  sport:  Youth  in  Action,  Europe  for  Citizens,  DAPHNE 
III, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship and Prevention and Fight against Crime; 

(24) Organise a high level conference to discuss measures to prevent and fight violence and 
racism at sport events with stakeholders. 

2.7 Sharing our values with other parts of the world 

Sport can play a role regarding different aspects of the EU's external relations: as an element 
of  external  assistance  programmes,  as  an  element  of  dialogue  with  partner  countries  and  as 
part of the EU's public diplomacy. 

Through concrete actions, sport has a considerable potential as a tool to promote education, 
health, inter-cultural dialogue, development and peace. 

(25)  The  Commission  will  promote  the  use  of  sport  as  a  tool  in  its  development  policy.  In 
particular, it will: 

•  Promote sport  and physical education as  essential elements of quality education and as a 

means to make schools more attractive and improve attendance; 

•  Target  action  at  improving  access  for  girls  and  women  to  physical  education  and  sport, 
with  the  objective  to  help  them  build  confidence,  improve  social  integration,  overcome 
prejudices and promote healthy lifestyles as well as women's access to education; 

•  Support health promotion and awareness-raising campaigns through sport. 

When addressing sport in its development policies, the EU will make its best effort to create 
synergies with existing programmes of the United Nations, Member States, local authorities 
and  private  bodies.  It  will  implement  actions  that  are  complementary  or  innovative  with 
respect  to  existing  programmes  and  actions.  The  memorandum  of  understanding  signed 
between  the  Commission  and  FIFA  in  2006  to  make  football  a  force  for  development  in 
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries is an example in this respect. 

(26)  The  EU  will  include,  wherever  appropriate,  sport-related  issues  such  as  international 
players' transfers, exploitation of underage players, doping, money-laundering through sport, 
and  security  during  major  international  sport  events  in  its  policy  dialogue  and  cooperation 
with partner countries. 

Rapid  visa  and  immigration  procedures  for,  in  particular,  elite  sportspersons  from  non-EU 
countries  are  an  important  element  to  enhance  the  EU's  international  attractiveness.  In 
addition  to  the  on-going  process  of  concluding  visa  facilitation  agreements  with  third 
countries  and  the  consolidation  of  the  visa  regime  applicable  to  members  of  the  Olympic 

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family  during  Olympic  Games,  the  EU  needs  to  develop  further  (temporary)  admission 
mechanisms for sportspersons from third countries. 

The Commission will pay particular attention to the sport sector: 

(27)  When  implementing  the  recently  presented  Communication  on  circular  migration  and 
mobility partnerships with third countries; 

(28) When  elaborating harmonised  schemes for the admission of various categories of third 
country  nationals  for  economic  purposes  on  the  basis  of  the  2005  Policy  Plan  on  Legal 
Migration. 

2.8 Supporting sustainable development 

The  practice  of  sport,  sport  facilities  and  sport  events  all  have  a  significant  impact  on  the 
environment.  It  is  important  to  promote  environmentally  sound  management,  fit  to  address 
inter alia green procurement, greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, waste disposal and 
the  treatment  of  soil  and  water.  European  sport  organisations  and  sport  event  organisers 
should  adopt  environmental  objectives  in  order  to  make  their  activities  environmentally 
their  credibility  on  environmental  matters,  responsible 
sustainable.  By 
organisations  could  expect  specific  benefits  while  bidding  to  host  sport  events  as  well  as 
economic benefits related to a more rationalised use of natural resources. 

improving 

The Commission will: 

(29) Use its structured dialogue with leading international and European sport organisations 
and  other  sport  stakeholders  to  encourage  them  and  their  members  to  participate  in  the  Eco 
Management  Audit  Scheme  (EMAS)  and  Community  Eco-Label  Award  schemes,  and 
promote these voluntary schemes during major sport events; 

(30)  Promote  green  procurement  in  its  political  dialogue  with  Member  States  and  other 
concerned parties; 

(31) Raise awareness, through guidance developed in cooperation with relevant stakeholders 
(policy makers, SMEs, local communities), about the need to work together in partnership at 
the regional level to organise sport events in a sustainable way; 

(32) Take sport into account as part of the "Information and Communication" component of 
the new LIFE+ programme. 

3. 

THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF SPORT 

Sport is a dynamic and fast-growing sector with an underestimated macro-economic impact, 
and can contribute to the Lisbon objectives of growth and job creation. It can serve as a tool 
for  local  and  regional  development,  urban  regeneration  or  rural  development.  Sport  has 
synergies with tourism and can stimulate the upgrading of infrastructure and the emergence of 
new partnerships for financing sport and leisure facilities.  

Although sound and comparable data on the economic weight of sport are generally lacking, 
its  importance  is  confirmed  by  studies  and  analyses  of  national  accounts,  the  economics  of 
large-scale sporting events, and physical inactivity costs, including for the ageing population. 

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A study presented  during the Austrian Presidency in 2006 suggested  that sport in a broader 
sense generated value-added of 407 billion euros in 2004, accounting for 3.7% of EU GDP, 
and employment for 15 million people or 5.4% of the labour force.6 This contribution of sport 
should be made more visible and promoted in EU policies. 

A growing part of the economic value of sports is linked to intellectual property rights. These 
rights  relate  to  copyright,  commercial  communications,  trademarks,  and  image  and  media 
rights.  In  an  increasingly  globalised  and  dynamic  sector,  the  effective  enforcement  of 
intellectual property rights around the world is becoming an essential part of the health of the 
sport  economy.  It  is  also  important  that  recipients  are  guaranteed  the  possibility  to  have 
distance access to sport events at cross-border level within the EU. 

On  the  other  hand,  notwithstanding  the  overall  economic  importance  of  sport,  the  vast 
majority of sporting activities takes place in non-profit structures, many of which depend on 
public support to provide access to sporting activities to all citizens.  

3.1 Moving towards evidence-based sport policies 

The  launch  of  policy  actions  and  enhanced  cooperation  on  sport  at  EU  level  needs  to  be 
underpinned  by  a  sound  knowledge  base.  The  quality  and  comparability  of  data  need  to  be 
improved to allow for better strategic planning and policy-making in the area of sport. 

Governmental  and  non-governmental  stakeholders  have  repeatedly  called  upon 
the 
Commission to develop a European statistical definition of sport and to coordinate efforts to 
produce sport and sport-related statistics on that basis. 

(33)  The  Commission,  in  close  cooperation  with the  Member  States,  will  seek  to  develop  a 
European statistical method for measuring the economic impact of sport as a basis for national 
statistical  accounts  for  sport,  which  could  lead  in  time  to  a  European  satellite  account  for 
sport. 

(34) In addition, specific sport-related information surveys should continue to take place once 
every few years (e.g. Eurobarometer polls), in particular to provide non-economic information 
which  cannot  be  provided  on  the  basis  of  national  statistical  accounts  for  sport  (e.g. 
participation rates, data on volunteering, etc.). 

(35)  The  Commission  will  launch  a  study  to  assess  the  sport  sector's  direct  contribution  (in 
terms  of  GDP,  growth  and  employment)  and  indirect  contribution  (through  education, 
regional development and higher attractiveness of the EU) to the Lisbon Agenda. 

(36) The Commission will organise the exchange of best practices among Member States and 
sports federations concerning the organisation of large sport events, with a view to promoting 
sustainable economic growth, competitiveness and employment. 

3.2 Putting public support for sport on a more secure footing 

Sport  organisations  have  many  sources  of  income,  including  club  fees  and  ticket  sales, 
advertising  and  sponsorship,  media  rights,  re-distribution  of  income  within  the  sport 

6 

D. Dimitrov / C. Helmenstein / A. Kleissner / B. Moser / J. Schindler: Die makroökonomischen Effekte 
des Sports in Europa, Studie im Auftrag des Bundeskanzleramts, Sektion Sport, Wien, 2006 

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federations,  merchandising,  public  support  etc.  However,  some  sport  organisations  have 
considerably better access to resources from business operators than others, even if in some 
cases  a  well-functioning  system  of  redistribution  is  in  place.  In  grassroots  sport,  equal 
opportunities  and  open  access  to  sporting  activities  can  only  be  guaranteed  through  strong 
public  involvement.  The  Commission  understands  the  importance  of  public  support  for 
grassroots  sport  and  sport  for  all,  and  is  in  favour  of  such  support  provided  it  is  granted  in 
accordance with Community law. 

In  many  Member  States  sport  is  partly  financed  through  a  tax  or  levy  on  state-run  or  state-
licensed gambling or lottery services. The Commission invites Member States to reflect upon 
how best to maintain and develop a sustainable financing model for giving long-term support 
to sports organisations. 

(37) As a contribution to the reflection on the financing of sport, the Commission will carry 
out an independent study on the financing of grassroots sport and sport for all in the Member 
States  from  both  public  and  private  sources,  and  on  the  impact  of  on-going  changes  in  this 
area. 

In the field of indirect taxation, the EU's VAT legislation is laid down in Council Directive 
2006/112/EC,  which  aims  at  ensuring  that  the  application  of  Member  State  legislation  on 
VAT  does  not  distort  competition  or  hinder  the  free  movement  of  goods  and  services.  The 
Directive provides for both the possibility for Member States to exempt certain sport-related 
services and, where exemption does not apply, the possibility to apply reduced rates in some 
cases. 

(38) Given the important societal role of sport and its strong local anchoring, the Commission 
will defend maintaining the existing possibilities of reduced VAT rates for sport. 

4. 

THE ORGANISATION OF SPORT  

The  political  debate  on  sport  in  Europe  often  attributes  considerable  importance  to  the  so-
called "European Sport Model". The Commission considers that certain values and traditions 
of European sport should be promoted. In view of the diversity and complexities of European 
sport structures it considers, however, that it is unrealistic to try to define a unified model of 
organisation  of  sport  in  Europe.  Moreover,  economic  and  social  developments  that  are 
common  to  the  majority  of  the  Member  States  (increasing  commercialisation,  challenges  to 
public spending, increasing numbers of participants and stagnation in the number of voluntary 
workers)  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.)  is  posing  new  questions  as  regards  governance,  democracy  and 
representation of interests within the sport movement. 

The  Commission  can  play  a  role  in  encouraging  the  sharing  of  best  practice  in  sport 
governance.  It  can  also  help to  develop  a  common  set  of  principles  for  good  governance  in 
sport,  such  as  transparency,  democracy,  accountability  and  representation  of  stakeholders 
(associations,  federations,  players,  clubs,  leagues,  supporters,  etc.).  While  doing  so  the 

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Commission will draw on previous work7. Attention should also be paid to the representation 
of women in management and leadership positions. 

The  Commission  acknowledges  the  autonomy  of  sporting  organisations  and  representative 
structures  (such  as  leagues).  Furthermore,  it  recognises  that  governance  is  mainly  the 
responsibility of sports governing bodies and, to some extent, the Member States and social 
partners. Nonetheless, dialogue with sports organisations has brought a number of areas to the 
Commission’s  attention,  which  are  addressed  below.  The  Commission  considers  that  most 
challenges can be addressed through self-regulation respectful of good governance principles, 
provided  that  EU  law  is  respected,  and  is  ready  to  play  a  facilitating  role  or  take  action  if 
necessary. 

4.1 The specificity of sport 

Sport activity is subject to the application of EU law. This is described in detail in the Staff 
Working Document and its annexes. Competition law and Internal Market provisions apply to 
sport in so far as it constitutes an economic activity. Sport is also subject to other important 
aspects  of  EU  law,  such  as  the  prohibition  of  discrimination  on  grounds  of  nationality, 
provisions  regarding  citizenship  of  the  Union  and  equality  between  men  and  women  in 
employment. 

At the same time, sport has certain specific characteristics, which are often referred to as the 
"specificity  of  sport".  The  specificity  of  European  sport  can  be  approached  through  two 
prisms: 

•  The  specificity  of  sporting  activities  and  of  sporting  rules,  such  as  separate  competitions 
for men and women, limitations on the number of participants in competitions, or the need 
to ensure uncertainty concerning outcomes and to preserve a competitive balance between 
clubs taking part in the same competitions; 

•  The specificity of the sport structure, including notably the autonomy and diversity of sport 
organisations,  a  pyramid  structure  of  competitions  from  grassroots  to  elite  level  and 
organised  solidarity  mechanisms  between  the  different  levels  and  operators,  the 
organisation of sport on a national basis, and the principle of a single federation per sport; 

The case law of the European courts and decisions of the European Commission show that the 
specificity of sport has been recognised and taken into account. They also provide guidance 
on how EU law applies to sport. In line with established case law, the specificity of sport will 
continue to be recognised, but it cannot be construed so as to justify a general exemption from 
the application of EU law. 

As  is  explained  in  detail  in  the  Staff  Working  Document  and  its  annexes,  there  are 
organisational  sporting  rules  that  –  based  on  their  legitimate  objectives  –  are  likely  not  to 
breach the anti-trust provisions of the EC Treaty, provided that their anti-competitive effects, 
if any, are inherent and proportionate to the objectives pursued. Examples of such rules would 
be "rules of the game" (e.g. rules fixing the length of matches or the number of players on the 
field),  rules  concerning  selection  criteria  for  sport  competitions,  "at  home  and  away  from 

7 

E.g. the "Rules of the Game" conference organised in 2001 by FIA and the EOC and the Independent 
European Sport Review carried out in 2006. 

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home" rules, rules preventing multiple ownership in club competitions, rules concerning the 
composition of national teams, anti-doping rules and rules concerning transfer periods. 

However,  in  respect  of  the  regulatory  aspects  of  sport,  the  assessment  whether  a  certain 
sporting  rule  is  compatible  with  EU  competition  law  can  only  be  made  on  a  case-by-case 
basis, as recently confirmed by the European Court of Justice in its Meca-Medina ruling.8 The 
Court provided a clarification regarding the impact of EU law on sporting rules. It dismissed 
the notion of "purely sporting rules" as irrelevant for the question of the applicability of EU 
competition rules to the sport sector. 

The  Court  recognised  that  the  specificity  of  sport  has  to  be  taken  into  consideration  in  the 
sense  that  restrictive  effects  on  competition  that  are  inherent  in  the  organisation  and  proper 
conduct of competitive sport are not in breach of EU competition rules, provided that these 
effects are proportionate to the legitimate genuine sporting interest pursued. The necessity of 
a  proportionality  test  implies  the  need  to  take  into  account  the  individual  features  of  each 
case.  It  does  not  allow  for  the  formulation  of  general  guidelines  on  the  application  of 
competition law to the sport sector. 

4.2 Free movement and nationality 

The organisation of sport and of competitions on a national basis is part of the historical and 
cultural  background  of  the  European  approach  to  sport,  and  corresponds  to  the  wishes  of 
European  citizens.  In  particular,  national  teams  play  an  essential  role  not  only  in  terms  of 
identity  but  also  to  secure  solidarity  with  grassroots  sport,  and  therefore  deserve  to  be 
supported. 

Discrimination  on  grounds  of  nationality  is  prohibited  in  the  Treaties,  which  establish  the 
right  for  any  citizen  of  the  Union  to  move  and  reside  freely  in  the  territory  of  the  Member 
States.  The  Treaties  also  aim  to  abolish  any  discrimination  based  on  nationality  between 
workers of the Member States as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of 
work and employment. The same prohibitions apply to discrimination based on nationality in 
the  provision  of  services.  Moreover,  membership  of  sports  clubs  and  participation  in 
competitions are relevant factors to promote the integration of residents into the society of the 
host country. 

Equal treatment also concerns citizens of States which have signed agreements with the EU 
that contain non-discrimination clauses, and who are legally employed in the territory of the 
Member States. 

(39)  The  Commission  calls  on  Member  States  and  sport  organisations  to  address 
discrimination based on nationality in all sports. It will combat discrimination in sport through 
political dialogue  with  the Member States, recommendations, structured dialogue with sport 
stakeholders, and infringement procedures when appropriate. 

The  Commission  reaffirms  its  acceptance  of  limited  and  proportionate  restrictions  (in  line 
with  EU  Treaty  provisions  on  free  movement  and European Court of Justice  rulings)  to the 
principle of free movement in particular as regards: 

8 

Case  C-519/04P,  Meca  Medina  v.  Commission,  ECR  2006,  I-6991.  For  more  details,  see  the  Staff 
Working Document. 

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•  The right to select national athletes for national team competitions; 

•  The need to limit the number of participants in a competition; 

•  The setting of deadlines for transfers of players in team sports. 

(40) As regards access to individual competitions for non-nationals, the Commission intends 
to launch a study to analyse all aspects of this complex issue. 

4.3 Transfers 

In  the  absence  of  transfer  rules,  the  integrity  of  sport  competitions  could  be  challenged  by 
clubs recruiting players during a given season to prevail upon their competitors. At the same 
time,  any  rule  on  the  transfer  of  players  must  respect  EU  law  (competition  provisions  and 
rules on the free movement of workers). 

In  2001,  in  the  context  of  the  pursuit  of  a  case  concerning  alleged  infringements  of  EC 
competition law and after discussions with the Commission, football authorities undertook to 
revise  FIFA  Regulations  on  international  football  transfers,  based  on  compensation  for 
training  costs  incurred  by  sports  clubs,  the  creation  of  transfer  periods,  the  protection  of 
school education of underage players, and guaranteed access to national courts. 

The  Commission  considers  such  a  system  to  constitute  an  example  of  good  practice  that 
ensures  a  competitive  equilibrium  between  sport  clubs  while  taking  into  account  the 
requirements of EU law. 

The  transfer  of  players  also  gives  rise  to  concerns  about  the  legality  of  the  financial  flows 
involved.  To  increase  transparency  in  money  flows  related  to  transfers,  an  information  and 
verification  system  for  transfers  could  be  an  effective  solution.  The  Commission  considers 
that  such  a  system  should  only  have  a  control  function;  financial  transactions  should  be 
conducted directly between the parties involved. Depending on the sport, the system could be 
run by the relevant European sport organisation, or by national information and verification 
systems in the Member States. 

4.4 Players' agents 

The development of a truly European market for players and the rise in the level of players’ 
salaries  in  some  sports  has  resulted  in  an  increase  in  the  activities  of  players’  agents.  In  an 
increasingly  complex  legal  environment,  many  players  (but  also  sport  clubs)  ask  for  the 
services of agents to negotiate and sign contracts. 

There  are  reports  of  bad  practices  in  the  activities  of  some  agents  which  have  resulted  in 
instances  of  corruption,  money  laundering  and  exploitation  of  underage  players.  These 
practices are damaging for sport in general and raise serious governance questions. The health 
and security of players, particularly minors, has to be protected and criminal activities fought 
against. 

Moreover,  agents  are  subject  to  differing  regulations  in  different  Member  States.  Some 
Member  States  have  introduced  specific  legislation  on  players'  agents  while  in  others  the 
applicable  law  is  the  general  law  regarding  employment  agencies,  but  with  references  to 

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players' agents. Moreover, some international federations (FIFA, FIBA) have introduced their 
own regulations. 

For these reasons, repeated calls have been made on the EU to regulate the activity of players' 
agents through an EU legislative initiative. 

(41) The Commission will carry out an impact assessment to provide a clear overview of the 
activities  of  players'  agents  in  the  EU  and  an  evaluation  of  whether  action  at  EU  level  is 
necessary, which will also analyse the different possible options. 

4.5 Protection of minors 

The exploitation of young players is continuing. The most serious problem concerns children 
who are not selected for competitions and abandoned in a foreign country, often falling in this 
way in an irregular position which fosters their further exploitation. Although in most cases 
this  phenomenon  does  not  fall  into  the  legal  definition  of  trafficking  in  human  beings,  it  is 
unacceptable given the fundamental values recognised by the EU and its Member States. It is 
also  contrary  to  the  values  of  sport.  Protective  measures  for  unaccompanied  minors  in 
Member State immigration laws need to be applied rigorously. Sexual abuse and harassment 
of minors in sport must also be fought against. 

(42)  The  Commission  will  continue  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  EU  legislation,  in 
particular  the  Directive  on  the  Protection  of  Young  People  at  Work.  The  Commission  has 
recently  launched  a  study  on  child  labour  as  a  complement  to  its  monitoring  of  the 
implementation  of  the  Directive.  The  issue  of  young  players  falling  within  the  scope  of  the 
Directive will be taken into account in the study. 

(43) The Commission will propose to Member States and sport organisations to cooperate on 
the protection of the moral and physical integrity of young people through the dissemination 
of information on existing legislation, establishment of minimum standards and exchange of 
best practices. 

4.6 Corruption, money laundering and other forms of financial crime 

Corruption, money laundering and other forms of financial crime are affecting sport at local, 
national  and  international  levels.  Given  the  sector's  high  degree  of  internationalisation, 
corruption  in  the  sport  sector  often  has  cross-border  aspects.  Corruption  problems  with  a 
European  dimension  need  to  be  tackled  at  European  level.  EU  anti-money  laundering 
mechanisms should apply effectively also in the sport sector. 

(44)  The  Commission  will  support  public-private  partnerships  representative  of  sports 
interests and anti-corruption authorities, which would identify vulnerabilities to corruption in 
the sport sector and assist in the development of effective preventive and repressive strategies 
to counter such corruption. 

(45)  The  Commission  will  continue  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  EU  anti-money 
laundering legislation in the Member States with regard to the sport sector. 

4.7 Licensing systems for clubs  

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The  Commission  acknowledges  the  usefulness  of  robust  licensing  systems  for  professional 
clubs  at  European  and  national  levels  as  a  tool  for  promoting  good  governance  in  sport. 
Licensing  systems  generally  aim  to  ensure  that  all  clubs  respect  the  same  basic  rules  on 
financial  management  and  transparency,  but  could  also  include  provisions  regarding 
discrimination, violence, protection of minors and training. Such systems must be compatible 
with competition and Internal Market provisions and may not go beyond what is necessary for 
the pursuit of a legitimate objective relating to the proper organisation and conduct of sport. 

Efforts  need  to  concentrate  on  the  implementation  and  gradual  reinforcement  of  licensing 
systems. In the case of football, where a licensing system will soon be compulsory for clubs 
entering  European  competitions,  action  needs  to  concentrate  on  promoting  and  encouraging 
the use of licensing systems at national level. 

(46) The Commission will promote dialogue with sport organisations in order to address the 
implementation and strengthening of self-regulatory licensing systems. 

(47)  Starting  with  football,  the  Commission  intends  to  organise  a  conference  with  UEFA, 
EPFL,  Fifpro,  national  associations  and  national  leagues  on  licensing  systems  and  best 
practices in this field. 

4.8 Media 

Issues  concerning  the  relationship  between  the  sport  sector  and  sport  media  (television  in 
particular)  have  become  crucial  as  television  rights  are  the  primary  source  of  income  for 
professional sport in Europe. Conversely, sport media rights are a decisive source of content 
for many media operators. 

Sport has been a driving force behind the emergence of new media and interactive television 
services. The Commission will continue to support the right to information and wide access 
for  citizens  to  broadcasts  of  sport  events,  which  are  seen  as  being  of  high  interest  or  major 
importance for society. 

The application of the competition provisions of the EC Treaty to the selling of media rights 
of sport events takes into account a number of specific characteristics in this area. Sport media 
rights are sometimes sold collectively by a sport association on behalf of individual clubs (as 
opposed to clubs marketing the rights individually). While joint selling of media rights raises 
competition  concerns,  the  Commission  has  accepted  it  under  certain  conditions.  Collective 
selling can be important for the redistribution of income and can thus be a tool for achieving 
greater solidarity within sports. 

The Commission recognises the importance of an equitable redistribution of income between 
clubs, including the smallest ones, and between professional and amateur sport. 

(48) The Commission recommends to sport organisations to pay due attention to the creation 
and  maintenance  of  solidarity  mechanisms.  In  the  area  of  sports  media  rights,  such 
mechanisms  can  take  the  form  of  a  system  of  collective  selling  of  media  rights  or, 
alternatively,  of  a  system  of  individual  selling  by  clubs,  in  both  cases  linked  to  a  robust 
solidarity mechanism. 

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5. 

FOLLOW-UP 

The Commission will follow up on the initiatives presented in this White Paper through the 
implementation  of  a  structured  dialogue  with  sport  stakeholders,  cooperation  with  the 
Member States, and the promotion of social dialogue in the sport sector. 

5.1 Structured dialogue 

European sport is characterised by a multitude of complex and diverse structures which enjoy 
different types of legal status and levels of autonomy in Member States. Unlike other sectors 
and  due  to  the  very  nature  of  organised  sport,  European  sport  structures  are,  as  a  rule,  less 
well developed than sport structures at national and international levels. Moreover, European 
sport is generally organised according to continental structures, and not at EU level. 

Stakeholders agree that the Commission has an important role to play in contributing to the 
European debate on sport by providing a platform for dialogue with sport stakeholders. Wide 
consultation  with  “interested  parties”  is  one  of  the  Commission’s  duties  according  to  the 
Treaties. 

In  view  of  the  complex  and  diverse  sports  culture  in  Europe,  the  Commission  intends  to 
involve notably the following actors in its structured dialogue: 

•  European Sport Federations; 

•  European  umbrella  organisations  for  sport,  notably  the  European  Olympic  Committees 
(EOC), the European Paralympic Committee (EPC) and European non-governmental sport 
organisations; 

•  National  umbrella  organisations  for  sport  and  national  Olympic  and  Paralympic 

Committees; 

•  Other actors in the field of sport represented at European level, including social partners; 

•  Other  European  and  international  organisations,  in  particular  the  Council  of  Europe's 

structures for sport and UN bodies such as UNESCO and the WHO. 

(49) The Commission intends to organise the structured dialogue in the following manner: 

•  EU Sport Forum: an annual gathering of all sport stakeholders; 

•  Thematic discussions with limited numbers of participants. 

(50) The Commission will also seek to promote greater European visibility at sporting events. 
The  Commission  supports  the  further  development  of  the  European  Capitals  of  Sport 
initiative. 

5.2 Cooperation with Member States 

Cooperation  among  Member  States  on  sport  at  EU  level  takes  place  in  informal  ministerial 
meetings, as well as at the administrative level by Sport Directors. A Rolling Agenda for sport 
was adopted by EU Sport Ministers in 2004 to define priority themes for discussions on sport 
among the Member States. 

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(51)  In  order  to  address  the  issues  listed  in  this  White  Paper,  the  Commission  proposes  to 
strengthen existing cooperation among the Member States and the Commission. 

Based  on  a  proposal  from  the  Commission,  Member  States  may  wish  to  reinforce  the 
mechanism of the Rolling Agenda, for example: 

•  To jointly define priorities for sport policy cooperation; 

•  To report regularly to EU Sport Ministers on progress. 

Closer  cooperation  will  require  the  regular  organisation  of  Sport  Ministers  and  Sport 
Directors meetings under each Presidency, which should be taken into account by future 18-
month Presidency teams. 

(52) The Commission will report on the implementation of the "Pierre de Coubertin" Action 
Plan through the mechanism of the Rolling Agenda. 

5.3 Social dialogue 

In  the  light  of  a  growing  number  of  challenges  to  sport  governance,  social  dialogue  at 
European  level  can  contribute  to  addressing  common  concerns  of  employers  and  athletes, 
including  agreements  on  employment  relations  and  working  conditions  in  the  sector  in 
accordance with EC Treaty provisions. 

The Commission has been supporting projects for the consolidation of social dialogue in the 
sport sector in general as well as in the football sector. These projects have created a basis for 
social  dialogue  at  European  level  and  the  consolidation  of  European-level  organisations.  A 
Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee can be established by the Commission on the basis of a 
joint request by social partners. The Commission considers that a European social dialogue in 
the sport sector or in its sub-sectors (e.g. football) is an instrument which would allow social 
partners  to  contribute  to  the  shaping  of  employment  relations  and  working  conditions  in  an 
active  and  participative  way.  In  this  area,  such  a  social  dialogue  could  also  lead  to  the 
establishment of commonly agreed codes of conduct or charters, which could address issues 
related to training, working conditions or the protection of young people. 

(53)  The  Commission  encourages  and  welcomes  all  efforts  leading  to  the  establishment  of 
European Social Dialogue Committees in the sport sector. It will continue to give support to 
both  employers  and  employees  and  it  will  pursue  its  open  dialogue  with  all  sport 
organisations on this issue. 

The  support  that  the  Member  States  should  make  available  for  capacity  building  and  joint 
actions  of  social  partners  through  the  European  Social  Fund  in  the  convergence  regions 
should also be used for capacity building of the social partners in the sport sector. 

6. 

CONCLUSION 

The  White  Paper  contains  a  number  of  actions  to  be  implemented  or  supported  by  the 
Commission. Together, these actions form the "Pierre de Coubertin" Action Plan which will 
guide the Commission in its sport-related activities during the coming years.  

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The White Paper has taken full advantage of the possibilities offered by the current Treaties. 
A mandate has been given by the European Council of June 2007 for the Intergovernmental 
Conference,  which  foresees  a  Treaty  provision  on  sport.  If  necessary,  the  Commission  may 
return to this issue and indicate further steps in the context of a new Treaty provision. 

The Commission will organise a conference to present the White Paper to sport stakeholders 
in  the  autumn  of  2007.  Its  findings  will  be  presented  to  EU  Sport  Ministers  by  the  end  of 
2007. The White Paper will also be presented to the European Parliament, the Committee of 
the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee. 

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