natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Clubs are not only competing on a national level, but also on a European level (as a result of the UEFA club competitions).
Clubs are not only competing on a national level, but also on a European level (as a result of the UEFA club competitions).
Due to national differences in the application of club licensing regimes, there is a lack of a level playing field in professional football in Europe.
Due to national differences in the application of club licensing regimes, there is a lack of a level playing field in professional football in Europe.
It can therefore be questioned
It can therefore be questioned
- whether it is appropriate to continue with a licensing-system at national level
- whether it is appropriate to continue with a licensing-system at national level
- whether the national federations can remain the centre of power
- whether the national federations can remain the centre of power
- whether more arrangements can be done at the level of UEFA.
- whether more arrangements can be done at the level of UEFA.
A very recent example of the self regulatory power of UEFA and FIFA being questioned is the Charleroi case , in which clubs question the FIFA rule that clubs should release their players for matches of the national team without entitlement to compensation.
A very recent example of the self regulatory power of UEFA and FIFA being questioned is the Charleroi case , in which clubs question the FIFA rule that clubs should release their players for matches of the national team without entitlement to compensation.
A compromise should be found between FIFA and the clubs.
A compromise should be found between FIFA and the clubs.
The principle of territorial organisation of football should be recognised
The principle of territorial organisation of football should be recognised
Financial transparency
Financial transparency
An identical financial control should be put in place for all European clubs in order to ensure financial transparency and to prevent financial drifts and inequalities of treatment leading to distortions of competition relating to the economic capacity of the clubs.
An identical financial control should be put in place for all European clubs in order to ensure financial transparency and to prevent financial drifts and inequalities of treatment leading to distortions of competition relating to the economic capacity of the clubs.
Therefore we should consider:
Therefore we should consider:
- whether the UEFA licensing system can be extended to all professional leagues in Europe;
- whether the UEFA licensing system can be extended to all professional leagues in Europe;
- whether a structure controlling the management of the clubs should be put in place in each Member State;
- whether a structure controlling the management of the clubs should be put in place in each Member State;
- whether we should call on UEFA to establish an independent body to monitor overall compliance with the club licensing system, including more extensive use of spot-checking.
- whether we should call on UEFA to establish an independent body to monitor overall compliance with the club licensing system, including more extensive use of spot-checking.
Other issues:
Other issues:
- club ownership
- club ownership
- converging statutes for clubs
- converging statutes for clubs
In order to further promote the involvement of supporters, incentives for the supporters direct movement are to be developed and stimulated.
In order to further promote the involvement of supporters, incentives for the supporters direct movement are to be developed and stimulated.
THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ROLE
THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ROLE
Football is an excellent instrument to get socially vulnerable youngsters back on track.
Football is an excellent instrument to get socially vulnerable youngsters back on track.
UEFA has adopted the home grown player rule in order to overcome the growing neglect of youth training which resulted from the Bosman ruling.
UEFA has adopted the home grown player rule in order to overcome the growing neglect of youth training which resulted from the Bosman ruling.
What is needed now above all is legal certainty concerning this matter.
What is needed now above all is legal certainty concerning this matter.
At the same time, it must be prevented that clubs give contracts to ever younger players (minus 15) which would pervert the objective of the home grown player rule.
At the same time, it must be prevented that clubs give contracts to ever younger players (minus 15) which would pervert the objective of the home grown player rule.
In this regard also the important role of training centres has to be underlined.
In this regard also the important role of training centres has to be underlined.
A financial redistribution system or fiscal incentives should provide for a level playing field between clubs with and without training centres.
A financial redistribution system or fiscal incentives should provide for a level playing field between clubs with and without training centres.
Fight against racism
Fight against racism
The work started by the Parliament with the written declaration on the fight against racism should be continued.
The work started by the Parliament with the written declaration on the fight against racism should be continued.
The European Commission, the Member States and all professional football actors should play their part by insisting on more strict sanctions against all sort of racist acts in football.
The European Commission, the Member States and all professional football actors should play their part by insisting on more strict sanctions against all sort of racist acts in football.
UEFA and national leagues should apply disciplinary rules in a coherent, firm and coordinated manner.
UEFA and national leagues should apply disciplinary rules in a coherent, firm and coordinated manner.
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Bosman - Players situation
Bosman - Players situation
The Bosman ruling in 1995 has had long lasting positive effects on how European clubs approach players’ contracts.
The Bosman ruling in 1995 has had long lasting positive effects on how European clubs approach players’ contracts.
But a lot of professional players in Europe (ca.
But a lot of professional players in Europe (ca.
50% according to Fifpro) still do not have an employment contract with their club and a lot of employment and training contracts are legally problematic.
50% according to Fifpro) still do not have an employment contract with their club and a lot of employment and training contracts are legally problematic.
Social and fiscal differences
Social and fiscal differences
The disparities between Member States’ social and fiscal legislation are causing imbalances between the various European clubs and can be a reason for players to leave their home country.
The disparities between Member States’ social and fiscal legislation are causing imbalances between the various European clubs and can be a reason for players to leave their home country.
Obviously these problems could be overcome by a harmonization/coordination of the legal, social and fiscal statuses applied to the professional players and clubs.
Obviously these problems could be overcome by a harmonization/coordination of the legal, social and fiscal statuses applied to the professional players and clubs.
This would also create an opportunity to strengthen professional players’ social rights which are not ensured in all Member States (retirement, unemployment, sick leave ...).
This would also create an opportunity to strengthen professional players’ social rights which are not ensured in all Member States (retirement, unemployment, sick leave ...).
These issues have to be dealt with in a social dialogue .
These issues have to be dealt with in a social dialogue .
Others issues are:
Others issues are:
- European players' agents directive
- European players' agents directive
- social dialogue
- social dialogue
- recognition of professional qualifications
- recognition of professional qualifications
- the question of quota of players
- the question of quota of players
- the status for international treansfers.
- the status for international treansfers.
COMPETITION LAW AND FOOTBALL
COMPETITION LAW AND FOOTBALL
As mentioned under point 3, the laws of free economic competition cannot be applied to football without taking its specificity into account.
As mentioned under point 3, the laws of free economic competition cannot be applied to football without taking its specificity into account.
In order to have an interesting football competition we need a balanced economic competition.
In order to have an interesting football competition we need a balanced economic competition.
Antitrust laws/ Cost control
Antitrust laws/ Cost control
The introduction of a (self regulatory) modulated cost control system into professional football could be an instrument to promote greater competitive balance and therefore a level playing field for the teams at a European level.
The introduction of a (self regulatory) modulated cost control system into professional football could be an instrument to promote greater competitive balance and therefore a level playing field for the teams at a European level.
However, the pros and cons of a cost control system should be further examined.
However, the pros and cons of a cost control system should be further examined.
State aid
State aid
On many different levels (local/regional/national) public authorities are involved in the financing of football.
On many different levels (local/regional/national) public authorities are involved in the financing of football.
Because of different regulations, the clubs are not playing the game with the same tools.
Because of different regulations, the clubs are not playing the game with the same tools.
A level playing field requires clear state aid rules .
A level playing field requires clear state aid rules .
The quintessential question is: what kind of public support is acceptable and legitimate in order to fulfil clear societal objectives (f.i. investments in training facilities) and which measures lead to distortion of competition?
The quintessential question is: what kind of public support is acceptable and legitimate in order to fulfil clear societal objectives (f.i. investments in training facilities) and which measures lead to distortion of competition?
INTERNAL MARKET ASPECTS OF FOOTBALL
INTERNAL MARKET ASPECTS OF FOOTBALL
- Restrictions to the cross-border provision of sponsorship services (for "sensitive products" such as alcoholic beverages and gambling services)
- Restrictions to the cross-border provision of sponsorship services (for "sensitive products" such as alcoholic beverages and gambling services)
- Cross-border restrictions to the offer and advertising of cross-border sports betting services (on which the Commission has recently opened procedures against 7 Member States)
- Cross-border restrictions to the offer and advertising of cross-border sports betting services (on which the Commission has recently opened procedures against 7 Member States)
- Restrictions to the reception of sports broadcasts in other Member States because of the territorial sale of broadcasting rights
- Restrictions to the reception of sports broadcasts in other Member States because of the territorial sale of broadcasting rights
- Consumer interest : distribution of tickets
- Consumer interest : distribution of tickets
MEDIA & COMPETITION RULES
MEDIA & COMPETITION RULES
Joint selling of media rights is fundamental to protect the financial solidarity model of European football.
Joint selling of media rights is fundamental to protect the financial solidarity model of European football.
The Commission has taken three principled decisions on media rights for football matches
The Commission has taken three principled decisions on media rights for football matches
European Commission's formal decision exempting the joint selling of the media rights of the UEFA Champions League, 23 July 2003; European Commission decision, on 22 March 2006, under EC Treaty competition rules that renders commitments from the FA Premier League concerning the sale of media rights to the Premier League football competition legally binding.
European Commission's formal decision exempting the joint selling of the media rights of the UEFA Champions League, 23 July 2003; European Commission decision, on 22 March 2006, under EC Treaty competition rules that renders commitments from the FA Premier League concerning the sale of media rights to the Premier League football competition legally binding.
The case concerned the agreement between the clubs participating in the English Premier League competition to sell media rights to that competition jointly through the FA Premier League; Directive 89/552/EEC, "Television without Frontiers Directive" , which allow the joint selling of media rights.
The case concerned the agreement between the clubs participating in the English Premier League competition to sell media rights to that competition jointly through the FA Premier League; Directive 89/552/EEC, "Television without Frontiers Directive" , which allow the joint selling of media rights.
The European Commission is asked to investigate how this model can be adopted across Europe.
The European Commission is asked to investigate how this model can be adopted across Europe.
This has to be preceded by a detailed evaluation of these media rights decisions (impact and effectiveness).
This has to be preceded by a detailed evaluation of these media rights decisions (impact and effectiveness).
The economic impact of new media has to be incorporated.
The economic impact of new media has to be incorporated.
It is in the interest of the game that the profits of these rights are distributed on a fair and redistributive way.
It is in the interest of the game that the profits of these rights are distributed on a fair and redistributive way.
The current distribution of television rights in the UEFA C.L. (for a large part according to the television market shares) favours big countries and should be reviewed.
The current distribution of television rights in the UEFA C.L. (for a large part according to the television market shares) favours big countries and should be reviewed.
Free-to-air TV
Free-to-air TV
The merit of the current "Television without Frontiers Directive" can hardly be overestimated.
The merit of the current "Television without Frontiers Directive" can hardly be overestimated.
It allows national authorities to specify a limited number of events which must be available for broadcasting free-to-air.
It allows national authorities to specify a limited number of events which must be available for broadcasting free-to-air.
This principle has to be maintained in the revised TWF-directive.
This principle has to be maintained in the revised TWF-directive.
Other issues that ask for clarity:
Other issues that ask for clarity:
- right holders of the matches (clubs or federations)
- right holders of the matches (clubs or federations)
- registration by clubs of their broadcasting-rights in their credits even if they are collectively managed
- registration by clubs of their broadcasting-rights in their credits even if they are collectively managed
- disturbance of the football calendar by broadcasters choice
- disturbance of the football calendar by broadcasters choice
- exclusive rights and free access to sporting enclosures for radio and written press
- exclusive rights and free access to sporting enclosures for radio and written press
- temporarily blocking the broadcasting of matches in order to support the amateur games and the presence of the supporters in the stadiums.
- temporarily blocking the broadcasting of matches in order to support the amateur games and the presence of the supporters in the stadiums.
The key to success in the fight against doping is the strength of international policy of prevention and repression.
The key to success in the fight against doping is the strength of international policy of prevention and repression.
LEGAL ACTION: FRAMEWORK, ACTIONPLAN, GUIDELINES, DIRECTIVE
LEGAL ACTION: FRAMEWORK, ACTIONPLAN, GUIDELINES, DIRECTIVE
After consultation of all stakeholders, the EP can opt for different instruments (or make a combined choice):
After consultation of all stakeholders, the EP can opt for different instruments (or make a combined choice):
- call for a regulatory framework that recognises the specificity of sports and puts into place harmonised rules that assure a healthy competition and a level playing field.
- call for a regulatory framework that recognises the specificity of sports and puts into place harmonised rules that assure a healthy competition and a level playing field.
It must be acknowledged, however, that this is difficult without a proper legal base in the Treaties.
It must be acknowledged, however, that this is difficult without a proper legal base in the Treaties.
- call for an action plan which sets out the issues for the Commission to treat and the legal instruments to use, such as guidelines, directives, recommendations, framework decisions
- call for an action plan which sets out the issues for the Commission to treat and the legal instruments to use, such as guidelines, directives, recommendations, framework decisions
- call for the establishment of an EU sport agency ?
- call for the establishment of an EU sport agency ?
OPINION of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
OPINION of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
for the Committee on Culture and Education
for the Committee on Culture and Education
on the future of professional football in Europe
on the future of professional football in Europe
The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs calls on the Committee on Culture and Education, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs calls on the Committee on Culture and Education, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
Points out that the Commission has taken four principled decisions on media rights for football matches; firstly, the Commission has allowed clubs to sell broadcasting rights jointly; secondly, the Commission has intervened to limit the extent to which all the valuable rights to a given competition can be bought by a single buyer; thirdly, the Commission, by insisting that broadcasting rights should be divided and sold separately to different buyers, has also tried to prevent output restrictions; and fourthly, the Commission has decided that not all the rights should be centralised and that some of them must remain available for clubs for individual marketing in particular as regards new media;
Points out that the Commission has taken four principled decisions on media rights for football matches; firstly, the Commission has allowed clubs to sell broadcasting rights jointly; secondly, the Commission has intervened to limit the extent to which all the valuable rights to a given competition can be bought by a single buyer; thirdly, the Commission, by insisting that broadcasting rights should be divided and sold separately to different buyers, has also tried to prevent output restrictions; and fourthly, the Commission has decided that not all the rights should be centralised and that some of them must remain available for clubs for individual marketing in particular as regards new media;
Stresses that commercial contracts incorporating the sale of television and new media rights vested in the European national football leagues should always fully comply with EC anti-trust law and be negotiated and completed in a transparent manner; but subject to this believes that football broadcasts should be accessible to the widest possible range of people including through free-to-air channels;
Stresses that commercial contracts incorporating the sale of television and new media rights vested in the European national football leagues should always fully comply with EC anti-trust law and be negotiated and completed in a transparent manner; but subject to this believes that football broadcasts should be accessible to the widest possible range of people including through free-to-air channels;
Points out the importance of the inter-linked national pyramid structures of the European football industry, which nurture grassroots talent and competition because national leagues and competitions are also the route to European competitions and a proper balance needs to be struck between the national foundation of the game and the European level to enable football leagues and associations to co-operate efficiently;
Points out the importance of the inter-linked national pyramid structures of the European football industry, which nurture grassroots talent and competition because national leagues and competitions are also the route to European competitions and a proper balance needs to be struck between the national foundation of the game and the European level to enable football leagues and associations to co-operate efficiently;
Maintains that joint selling is fundamental to protecting the financial solidarity model of European football; welcomes a public debate on and further investigation by the Commission into whether this model should be adopted across Europe for both pan-European and domestic competitions, as suggested by the Independent Sport Review 2006; in this respect, calls on the Commission to provide a detailed evaluation of the economic and sporting impact of those media rights decisions and the extent to which they have or have not worked;
Maintains that joint selling is fundamental to protecting the financial solidarity model of European football; welcomes a public debate on and further investigation by the Commission into whether this model should be adopted across Europe for both pan-European and domestic competitions, as suggested by the Independent Sport Review 2006; in this respect, calls on the Commission to provide a detailed evaluation of the economic and sporting impact of those media rights decisions and the extent to which they have or have not worked;
Believes that a European-wide joint selling system affords opportunities to new media operators as both UEFA or national associations and the football clubs will be able to offer UEFA Champions League and national league video content on the Internet and mobile phones services using UMTS technology; notes that these technologies are currently in their infancy, making it necessary to revisit the development of this sector in the foreseeable future;
Believes that a European-wide joint selling system affords opportunities to new media operators as both UEFA or national associations and the football clubs will be able to offer UEFA Champions League and national league video content on the Internet and mobile phones services using UMTS technology; notes that these technologies are currently in their infancy, making it necessary to revisit the development of this sector in the foreseeable future;