At its meeting in Strasbourg, the EU Parliament spoke out for strengthening the European sports model – there was criticism of investments by state funds and European competitions in non -European countries.
“I am firmly convinced that most Europeans do not know that there is a European sports model and what importance it is for sport”said Austrian MP Hannes Heide (Social Democrats) in the debate on Monday evening.
The European sports model is of great importance – but also in danger. Heide spoke investments “Documented third countries by the state fund” to. For example, Qatar and Saudi Arabia invest massively in football. Also “Plans for tournaments outside the association structure” criticized Heide, which meant the Super League. In addition, games abroad are a danger – the UEFA approved a league game from Spain and Italy abroad on Monday.
Social Democrat Hannes Heide (Austria) in the European Parliament
552 Ja votes under the 639 votes cast
Polish MP Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (Christian Democrats) had in a report to Parliament on the role of EU policy in the design of the European sports model A resolution proposed. The parliament agreed with an overwhelming majority on Tuesday. There were 552 votes in votes among the 639 votes. 52 MPs spoke out, there were 35 abstentions.
“It is urgently advised to protect and strengthen the European sports model”said Zdrojewski. “Athletes, but also the fans have to be integrated.”
Bogdan Zdrojewski (Poland/Christian Democrats) in the European Parliament
EU sports commissioner: “Games abroad? That hits the heart of European sport”
EU sports commissioner Glenn Micallef (Social Democrats) from Malta also spoke up in the debate. He didn’t just address football. The Euroleague in basketball also recently carried out their final in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. “That hits the heart of European sport”said Micallef. “Sport belongs to the people who have set up these clubs. If these games take place many kilometers away, this is a fundamental change.”
It is not wrong when sport grows. “But that shouldn’t be at the expense of those who make sport attractive: fans and active people.”
EU sports commissioner Glenn Micallef (Malta/Social Democrats)
What makes the European sports model
The EU attributes several key features to the European Sports Model. This includes the “Pyramidal structure” – For example, the way from the district league to the Bundesliga. The openness of the competitions is also a feature, which became decisive in the course of the Super League debate 2021 when the plans of the Super League provided for a partly closed competition. But the importance of sport is also mentioned “For national identity”.
In the resolution, which is to be voted in the parliament, the associations are expressly asked to “To prevent domestic competitions from taking place abroad”.
The assumed resolution makes various demands. Among them is the examination of a “Requirement of redistribution mechanisms between large and small leagues, clubs or competitions and in various disciplines”. In football, but also in other sports, the unequal distribution of revenue from sport within a league or between competitions is always an issue.