L’UE et le sport, compétence du traité de Lisbonne [en]
Avec le traité de Lisbonne qui doit entrer en vigueur demain (1er décembre), donnant à l’UE une compétence formelle en matière de sport, la Commission européenne est sur le point de lancer une large consultation des parties intéressées afin de préparer le premier programme sportif de l’UE, qui devrait être lancé en 2012.
Background
So far, the EU has had no explicit treaty competence for sport and its involvement in the sector has been based on existing policies and programmes. EU ministers in charge of sport have been meeting informally to discuss items identified in the 2004 'Rolling Agenda for Sport': doping, health, education, volunteering, and the economic dimension and social functions of sport.
A structured dialogue with the sports movement also already exists.
Most current EU activities in sport are based on the European Commission's 2007 White Paper on Sport and the implementation of 53 measures identified in the 'Pierre de Coubertin' action plan.
The first preparatory actions for sport were launched in 2009 to identify and test suitable networks and best practices in the fields of health, education, gender and disability, laying the ground for future EU sports measures.
Article 165 of the Lisbon Treaty provides the European Union with a soft competence on sport.
This means that the Commission will develop a specific EU sports programme, supported by a budget. The competence also allows for better promotion of sport in other EU policy areas and programmes, such as health and education.
The treaty provisions further give the EU the opportunity to speak with one voice in international forums and vis-à-vis third countries. EU sports ministers will now also begin meeting in official Sports Council meetings.
According to Michal Krejza, head of the Commission's sports unit, the new competence will help the EU add value by supporting platforms of exchange and debate, providing legal clarity and co-financing various initiatives.
The Lisbon Treaty requires the Commission to contribute to the promotion of European sporting issues "while taking account of the specific nature of sport, its structures based on voluntary activity and its social and educational function".
It asks the European dimension in sport to be developed "by promoting fairness and openness in sporting competitions and cooperation between bodies responsible for sports, and by protecting the physical and moral integrity of sportspeople".
EU sport programme
In parallel to a wide consultation of member states and stakeholders regarding the implementation of Lisbon Treaty's sport provisions during the first half of 2010, the Commission is starting to draft the first EU sports programme.
According to Krejza, an EU sports programme could be designed to:
- Contribute to the promotion of European values (physical and moral integrity of sportspersons, fairness of competitions): projects could address issues such as doping, racism and protection of minors;
- foster the social and educational function of sport: projects could address issues such as gender equality, disability and co-operation between sports organisations;
- promote the transfer of knowledge, innovation, dialogue and good governance in the sector: projects could address issues such as licensing rules for clubs and mobility of sports experts;
- contribute to the promotion of a physically-active lifestyle: projects could address issues such as health promotion, and;
- foster co-operation with third countries and with international organisations in the field of sport.
The Commission stresses that the 2007 White Paper will remain the cornerstone of its policies. An upcoming communication on the impact of Lisbon Treaty on sports will study areas not yet covered by the paper but now allowed for under Article 165, such as intellectual property rights in sports and match-fixing.
Positions
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it is "delighted to see the position of sport in the EU strengthened" by the Lisbon Treaty, but stressed that the EU should "support and not regulate sport".
FIFA President Sepp Blatter hailed the "recognition of the specific nature of sport" in Article 165. This stands for protecting the universality of sports "in a world which is increasingly divided" and for maintaining existing sports structures, "which guarantee balance at the heart of every sport, for example between amateur football and professional football and in terms of protecting the national identity of clubs," he added.
Next Steps
- 1 Dec. 2009: Lisbon Treaty enters into force, giving the EU a competence on sport.
- 26-27 Feb. 2010:Meeting of EU sport directors.
- First half of 2010: Commission to consult member states and stakeholders regarding the implementation of Lisbon Treaty's sport provisions.
- 19-20 April 2010: Second EU sport forum in Madrid.
- Spring 2010: European Parliament hearing on EU sport competence.
- May 2010: First EU Sports Council scheduled.
- Mid-2010: Commission communication on the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on sport.
- Mid-2010: Commission draft decision on the EU's sports programme and budget.
- 2010, 2011: Preparatory actions for sport.
- 2012: First EU sports programme (2012-2013) expected to come into force.
Sponsors
Europeans challenge Europe