Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Equal opportunities and sport
Date: 2007-10-11
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: anti-discriminatory measure, equal treatment, gender equality, local authority, regional authority, sport, sporting event

15.12.2007

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 305/53

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘Equal opportunities and sport’

(2007/C 305/11)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ISSUES THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS

— Sport can be used to address discrimination and inequality within sport and in the wider society, and

can promote social values, such as cooperation, tolerance and solidarity.

— Local and regional authorities should plan, develop and promote equality through their sports provi-

sions and services.

— Certain societal groups tend to participate less in sport, are poorly represented in decision-taking and
are excluded from some sporting facilities; in many countries, sports administration does not reflect
the diversity of the community that it serves.

— Local and regional authorities should encourage participants and spectators from all communities to
sporting events and protect them from abuse and harassment; make available without discrimination
sporting facilities that they own, operate, finance, or licence; encourage individuals from all commu-
nities to become involved at all levels of sports administration, management and coaching — these
functions should become an indicator of local and regional authorities' overall performance.

— Local and regional authorities should learn from the experiences of other authorities across Europe

and world-wide, and promote good practice locally and regionally.

— The EU should establish benchmarks in the promotion of equal opportunities in sport and sporting

provision. In this connection CoR has established a ‘Charter for equality in sport’.

Rapporteur: Peter MOORE, Member of Sheffield City Council (UK/ALDE)

‘Sport has the power to unite people in a way little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once despair. It
breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can
understand.’

Nelson Mandela

‘The hidden face of sport
is the thousands of enthusiasts who find in their football, rowing, athletics and
rock-climbing clubs, a place for meeting and exchange, but above all the training ground for community life. In this
microcosm, people learn to take responsibility, to follow rules, to accept one another, to look for consensus, to take on
democracy. Seen from this angle, sport is par excellence the ideal school for democracy.’

Daniel Tarschys

Secretary-General Council of Europe

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Policy recommendations

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

General remarks

Considers that sport, like other domains of social life, can

1.
both unite and divide society.

Believes that discrimination and inequality exists in sport,
2.
but that sport can be used to address these issues within sport
and in the wider society, and can promote social values, such as
team spirit, fair competition, cooperation, tolerance and soli-
darity.

3.
Equal opportunities for all societal groups within and
through sport can best be achieved through joint and comple-
mentary efforts by all spheres of governance: local and regional
authorities have a key role to play.

10.
Recognises that in many countries, sports administration
does not reflect the diversity of the community that it serves.
Considers that
this issue should be addressed by local and
regional authorities, including appropriate training for adminis-
trators to ensure that discriminatory practices — whether
deliberate or unwilling — are identified and addressed.

Recalls the work of the EU Monitoring Centre on Racism
11.
& Xenophobia (EUMC),
in conjunction with Football Against
Racism in Europe (FARE) and UEFA, in the area of combating
racism in football. Welcomes the creation of
the European
Fundamental Rights Agency which brings with it the opportu-
nity to broaden the scope of their work. Calls on it to include
equal opportunities and sport as part of its remit. Requests it to
report to CoR on an annual basis on this matter.

12.
Calls on the organisers of major international sporting
events (a) to raise the issue of equal opportunities in their sport;
(b) to organise seminars in parallel to the event to discuss equal-
ities issues relevant to the sport, and to include the local and
regional dimension.

4. Welcomes the designation of 2007 as the European year
of equal opportunities for all. Regrets that the CoR and some
Member States have not participated as fully as possible, whilst
considering this opinion to be a contribution towards the Year.

Age

5.
Recalls the declaration of the Nice European Council in
2000 which called on the EU to take account of the specific
characteristics and the social, educational and cultural functions
of sport. Recalls that the social significance of sport is the
subject of Declaration No 29 appended to the Amsterdam
Treaty. Welcomes the European Commission's White Paper on
sports, published on 11 July 2007, and calls on it to address the
issues of equality of opportunity mentioned therein.

Supports the Council of Europe definition of sport as
6.
being ‘all forms of physical ability 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’.

Believes that the pursuit of equality is not just about tack-
7.
ling unlawful discrimination where it exists,
it is also about
being proactive in changing perceptions and attitudes to dispel
ignorance and prejudice, and making the best of our commu-
nities' talents and allowing everyone to realise their own poten-
tial.

Recognises that discrimination exists in many forms:
8.
direct and indirect; institutional and individual; overt and subtle;
plays a part in reducing (or increasing) the access, opportunities
and life chances of sectors of society in social, political and
economic life.

Recognises that,

9.
for differing reasons, certain societal
groups tend to participate less in sport, are poorly represented
at decision-making levels and for a variety of reasons are
excluded from some sporting facilities. Recognises that as a
consequence some of these communities experience dispropor-
tionately high levels of
for example with
sedentary lifestyles.

illness associated,

sports policy is
largely addressed towards
13. Whereas
younger people,
for understandable reasons, recognises that
participation in sport declines significantly as people get older,
even though participation in sport can increase longevity and
quality of life in older age.

14.
Considers that for older people, sport provides an oppor-
tunity for lifelong learning, both through developing skills and
competence as a participant, and more widely through lifelong
involvement including qualifications in coaching, sports leader-
ship and administration.

15.
Calls on local and regional authorities' sports policies
and provision to be balanced across all age groups, and to
accord equal value to the less vigorous and non-competitive
sports which are more accessible to older people.

Disability

16.
Recognises that participation in sport is lower for people
with disabilities. Steps must be taken to ensure that disabled
people of both sexes and of any age can exercise to the full their
right to participate in all forms of sport.

17.
Calls on local and regional authorities' sports policies
and provision to take into account people with disabilities, and
to accord equal value to the less vigorous and non-competitive
sports which are more accessible to people with disabilities.
Calls for special consideration to be given to providing sporting
activities and facilities for older people, including the provision
of appropriate advice relative to their physical and mental
health.

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18.
Calls on local and authorities to monitor the recruitment
of people with disabilities as sports administrators and coaching
staff.

27.
Calls for action to combat any racial stereotype that may
exist among teachers and coaches and that may be a contribu-
tory factor in channelling particular ethnic minorities into or
out of particular sports.

Gender

19.
Recognises that participation in sport in some Member
States is higher by men than by women, although there is
evidence that this gap is narrowing.

Calls on local and regional authorities to use their
20.
training and education policies, principally,
to avoid gender
stereotyping in directing girls and boys towards certain sports
and away from others. Calls for the same opportunities to be
given to boys and girls to engage in whatever kinds of sport
they find interesting. Local and regional authorities should use
the gender budgeting technique when drawing up draft budgets
for sports facilities and planning sports provision.

Calls on local and regional authorities to monitor gender
sports administrators and

recruitment of

in the

21.
balance
coaching staff.

22.
Calls for special consideration to be given by local and
regional authorities to providing sporting activities and facilities
for pregnant women and young mothers, including the provi-
sion of appropriate advice relative to their condition; the provi-
sion of childcare facilities at sports centres and venues; and the
provision of safe, convenient and affordable public transport
access to sports centres and venues.

Race

running,

23.
Recognises that sports such as, for instance, basketball,
require similar
baseball,
‘bioenergetics’; however there is much to suggest that an indivi-
dual's choice of sport is more contingent on social and cultural
factors than on any physical determinants.

tennis and volleyball all

Stresses the importance of discrimination-free access to

24.
all forms of sporting activity for all sections of the population.

25. Welcomes the European Parliament resolution on foot-
ball and racism (14.3.2006) which calls on all stakeholders to
do more to fight racism in the sport.

26.
Considers that the relatively high level of racial diversity
in elite sport, notably football, is not replicated in other levels of
sporting activity. The emergence of some non-white individuals
at the highest level of some sports can give the impression that
racism has been eradicated. In truth, professional sport delivers
relatively few from social disadvantage. Racism can also occur
when non-white players are assigned stereotypical roles.

Calls on local and authorities to monitor race and ethnic
sports administrators and

recruitment of

in the

28.
balance
coaching staff.

Religion or belief

29.
Recognises that all religions and faith groups have specific
customs (e.g. single-sex bathing) and practices (e.g. ritual, timing
and frequency of prayer) that can lead to unwitting exclusion
from sport; thus a ban on the wearing of the Islamic headscarf
(hijab) creates a potential barrier to the full participation of
Muslim women in football. Considers that exclusion of certain
groups can also arise from islamophobia, anti-semitism and
other phobia or forms of hatred and calls on the EU to address
this form of discrimination as for racism and xenophobia. In
this connection, the EU should involve Member States and local
and regional authorities as infrastructures providers, and citizens
and sports organisations as users in promoting and encouraging
more fun and spontaneous sporting activity as an area for equal
opportunities for all.

Calls on local and regional authorities

30.
to promote
dialogue between these groups and sports organisers to get a
shared understanding of
the issues and to explore ways of
accommodating specific practices and customs in a tolerant and
constructive manner, whilst recognising that in some cases a
practicable solution might not be possible.

Sexual orientation

31.
Considers that the treatment of gays and lesbians in
sport is a special cause for concern. They are often faced with
the stark choice of concealing their sexuality, or creating sports
clubs and events solely for gays and lesbians. Recognises that
whereas a significant proportion of the European population is
homosexual not one current professional footballer is openly
gay. Concealment and segregation cannot be a long-term solu-
tion:
the objective must be to make all men and women
welcome in all sports clubs, regardless of sexual orientation.

Calls on local and regional authorities to work with local
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups to

32.
and regional
find ways to remedy these issues.

33. Welcomes the 2006 FARE five-point guide for combating
homophobia in football.

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Equal opportunities in sport and sporting provision

Calls on local and regional authorities to challenge and

34.
remove discrimination in sport and sporting provision.

35.
Believes that greater research should be undertaken on
the situation of minorities in sport. Attention should be paid to
all forms of discrimination, which can vary from country to
country, region to region, and indeed from sport to sport.

Calls on EU-wide sporting bodies, notably UEFA,

36.
to
implement meaningful and effective sanctions in instances of
racial and other discriminatory abuse in events within its juris-
diction; calls on UEFA especially to rectify this position and
report to CoR after the 2008 European football championships.

Calls on local and regional authorities to encourage and
37.
welcome participants and spectators from all communities to
sporting events, whether or not organised by a local or regional
authority, and to protect them from abuse and harassment.

38.
Calls on local and regional authorities to make available
without discrimination sporting facilities that they own, operate,
finance directly or indirectly, or which they licence for sporting
activity.

47.
Considers that the provision of sport, and the equality of
opportunity within and through that provision, should become
an indicator of
local and regional authorities' overall perfor-
mance.

48.
Calls on local and regional authorities to recognise and
address institutionalised discrimination in the provision of an
appropriate service to people because of their age, disability,
gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, or sexual orienta-
tion, which can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes or
behaviour which amounts to discrimination through unwitting
prejudice,
thoughtlessness and stereotyping which
cause disadvantage to those societal groups.

ignorance,

Calls on local and regional authorities to address them-

49.
selves to three main areas of action:

(i) Commitment, policy

and planning: demonstrating

a
commitment
to promoting equality through sport by
producing written policies and robust action plans, and to
monitor and review them regularly.

39.
Calls on local and regional authorities to encourage indi-
viduals from all communities to become involved at all level of
sports administration, management and coaching.

(ii) Participation and public image: making every effort

to
increase the diversity of participants and employees in
sports and leisure services, including steps to achieve a posi-
tive and inclusive image.

Promoting equal opportunities through sport

Calls on local and regional authorities to use sport to
40.
promote tolerance and understanding within the context of
social inclusion and combating discrimination.

Calls on local and regional authorities to become more

41.
actively involved in sporting provision.

42.
Calls on education authorities to encourage children not
only to practice sport, but to appreciate the societal and cultural
dimension of sport in all its diversity.

43.
Calls on European networks of sports organisers, coaches
and administrative sports staff should be encouraged to consider
and promote the equalities dimension of their work.

44.
Urges local and regional authorities, organisations and
clubs to provide training in multiculturalism, non-discrimination
and tolerance for their staff and coaches.

Local and regional authorities

(iii) Administration and management: setting up procedures to
tackle discrimination and inequality. Local and regional
authorities should seek to improve the diversity of represen-
tation in sports governance, administration and manage-
ment.

Calls on local and regional authorities to work with civil
50.
society, partner associations, sporting associations, local sports
clubs and non-governmental organisations to achieve mutual
objectives in this area and to exercise political leadership.

51.
Recommends that local and regional authorities develop
a media strategy to advertise sporting opportunities for target
groups with a view to increasing their participation, and to
publicise their activities and achievements. Local and regional
authorities should work towards eliminating stereotyping, discri-
mination and racism in sports reporting, including in publica-
tions produced or financed by these authorities, for example by
reporting on women's football as the norm and not as a
novelty.

Believes that local and regional authorities have as a core
45.
function the provision of sport,
leisure and cultural services.
These services must be recognised as key tools in the promotion
of social inclusion and combating discrimination.

46.
Considers that local and regional authorities should plan,
develop and promote equality through their sports provision
and services, incorporating gender budgeting as well.

Calls on local and regional authorities to exchange and
52.
learn from the experiences of other authorities across Europe
and world-wide, and to promote good practice locally and
regionally. Calls on the EU institutions to facilitate this exchange
of good practice. In particular, the CoR and European associa-
tions of local government (CEMR, AER, Eurocities, etc.) should
consider how to facilitate the creation of networks of cities,
local authorities and regions that have special experience with
these activities.

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53.
Calls on the EU to establish a benchmark for local and
regional authorities in the promotion of equal opportunities in
sport and sporting provision. In this connection, establishes a
CoR Charter for equality in sport:

CoR Char ter for equality in spor t

‘Signatories are committed to using their influence to create a world of
sport in which all people can take part without facing discrimination
of any kind. Signatories pledge to:

— Challenge and remove discrimination in sport

— Encourage people from all communities to become involved in sport

— Welcome employees and spectators from all communities and
protect all employees and spectators from discriminatory abuse and
harassment

— Encourage skilled and talented individuals from all communities to
become involved at all levels of sports administration, management
and coaching

— Develop the best possible equality policies and practices that are

subject to regular review and update

— Celebrate diversity in sport.’

54.
Calls on local and regional authorities to sign this
Charter and to audit their current approach in respect of the
above.

Undertakes to establish an annual CoR award for local or

55.
regional authorities who best implement the Charter.

Brussels, 11 October 2007.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Michel DELEBARRE