The European Commission decided on 03 February to register a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled “Win It On The Pitch” whose main objective is to protect a European model of sport based on values, solidarity, sustainability and open competition.
The European sport model is based on popular principles such as sporting merit, promotion and relegation, European ranking through national success and financial solidarity. This model and its principles must be further protected at EU level to prevent further attempts at super league-style splintering and to protect our clubs, communities and competitions from hostile and reckless corporate and financial lobbying in European sport by private organisations and sovereign wealth funds.
MEPs say “no” to the Super League
|
The basis for action, and for policy, is fortunately provided by the EU treaties, which direct and empower the Council and the Commission to defend a value-based, socially rooted and open vision of European sport. Open vision of European sport: “The Union’s action shall be aimed at developing the European dimension in sport, promoting fairness and openness in sporting competitions”.
Sport is an integral part of the fabric of European society and culture which must be protected and promoted for the benefit of all. It also has the power to bring people together and create a sense of hope.
Drawing competition: Youth with Refugees Art Contest
|
It is time to realise that vision, it is time to ensure that everyone must win on the playing field: to protect European sport and to recognise its contribution to European society.
Next steps
As the ECI’s application for registration meets the formal conditions set out in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it to be legally admissible. The organisers now have six months to collect signatures. If a European Citizens’ Initiative obtains, within one year, one million statements of support from at least seven Member States, the Commission will have to act.
Context
– The Lisbon Treaty introduced the European Citizens’ Initiative as a tool in the hands of citizens to define the political agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once officially registered, the European Citizens’ Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to call on the European Commission to bring forward legislative proposals in areas where it has the power to do so.
Read more : Lisbon Treaty – The role and impact of petitions as an instrument of participatory democracy.
Other related initiatives:
– HealthyLifestyle4All Commission campaign promoting a healthy lifestyle for all people, whatever their age or social group, with the aim of improving the health and well-being of Europeans. This two-year campaign, which links sport and active lifestyles with measures in areas such as health, nutrition and others, involves civil society and non-governmental organisations, national, local and regional administrations and international bodies.
Commission launches a European-wide campaign
|
The EU treaties direct and empower the Council and the Commission to uphold a value-based, socially embedded and open vision of European sport. Open vision of European sport: “The Union’s action shall be aimed at developing the European dimension in sport, promoting fairness and openness in sporting competitions”.
– Ruling against Spanish football
The Commission found that it constituted an illegal and incompatible aid scheme and ordered Spain to put an end to it and to recover the individual aid granted to Fútbol Club Barcelona, Club Atlético Osasuna, Athletic Club and Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.
Ruling against Spanish football for alleged illegal aid scheme
|
– What are Citizen Consultations?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation assumes the initiative of the citizens’ consultations and is responsible for the dissemination, organisation and collection of information. Any institution, public or private, may join the citizens’ consultations as long as it informs of its willingness to join.
What are Citizen Consultations?
|
Leave a Reply