Sports Regulation In The European Union

Sports regulation in the European Union

The regulation of sport in the European Union has been a kind of pending subject until the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. Its signature and application has been the first time in history that the EU acquires a specific sports competition.

Next, we will talk about the most outstanding points of the current regulation of sport in the European Union; To do this we will concentrate on the determinations of the aforementioned Lisbon treaty.

Sports in the European Union: What determines the Lisbon treaty?

Being a pending subject from the conformation of the EU, it was more than expected that the Lisbon treaty would result in an extensive text that includes different perspectives regarding professional and amateur sports practice.

In his sixth article, the Lisbon treaty highlights the strategic role that sport for the development of the European Union and expressly expresses that:

“The Union will contribute to promoting European aspects of sport, taking into account its specific characteristics, its structures based on volunteering and its social and educational function."

As we see in this precept, one of the outstanding characteristics of the treaty is the obvious approach to the social function that it meets in sport currently of the EU. And in this sense, the different roles that sports activities meet in our society are reinforced, contributing to a better quality of life at the individual and community level.

The social functions of sport in the European Union

Among the many social contributions associated with sport in the European Union, the Lisbon treaty stands out:

• The fight against any form of violence, discrimination and intolerance in sports and society. To do this, the countries of the Union are remembered, to put all the available personal and regulatory resources.
• Generation of equitable opportunities that help overcome the socio -economic inequalities of the population.
• Stimulated a better quality of life of citizens, fighting sedentary lifestyle, overweight and associated diseases.
• Reconquest for a greater space for sports in the education of children and young people; also collaborating in its full physical and cognitive development, as well as for the incorporation of a healthier lifestyle.
• The fight against doping (doping) and reinforcement to the fight for the Fair Play (‘Clean Game’) in sport.
• Promotion of volunteer and social inclusion activities.

Economic aspects of sport in the European Union and the incentive for base sport

Logically, Lisbon’s treaty is not limited to detailing collaborations at the community level of sports practice. Its scope also extends to the economic, administrative and organizational issues of sport in the European Union.

Regarding the economic dimension of sport, there is a clear intention to strengthen the importance of investing in the base sport in the EU.

For these investments to be viable, the law tries to guarantee financial support at the state level to base sports organizations. Provided that they dedicate themselves to the formation of young people who in the future will compete in the higher categories, representing their countries and the region.

This economic approach in base sport is combined perfectly harmoniously with the valuation of its social function. Do not forget that an economic solvency is required so that sport continues to exercise its key role in the development of children, at the physical, cognitive and social level.

Administrative and organizational issues of sport in the EU

Regarding the administrative and organizational aspects of sport in the European Union, the treaty clearly favors free movement, facilitating the transfer of players and their agents among the countries of the region.

In addition, it is about establishing a more effective regime of physical and moral protection for athletes, especially minors found in base sport.

Finally, in times that society demands more and more transparency of its representatives, the Lisbon treaty could not put aside the fight against corruption in sports. To do this, the money laundering is stimulated, as well as regulating the transmission rights and club licensing systems more clearly.