The European Commission and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) signed a three-year cooperation agreement which committed the two institutions to working together on the integrity of sport, respect for human rights and dignity, non-discrimination and solidarity.
The partnership agreement is intended to strengthen the positive image of sport, in particular football, and to fully exploit its potential in all areas of economic and social life.
Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner responsible for sport, who has signed the agreement with UEFA President Michel Platini, said the accord “is a significant step in our cooperation with UEFA, an important partner for the European Commission in its dialogue with the world of sport.”
“Our objective has always been to maintain stability in the world of professional sport, appreciating its specific nature while at the same time fully complying with EU law,” Vassiliou said after the ceremony attended by José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission.
Vassilliou added that the European Commission and UEFA “are also committed to maximising the impact that sport can have on society as a catalyst for social change in areas such as improvement of health, informal learning and gender equality.”
Platini said that “with the increased support of the European Commission” UEFA would “intensify our fight to safeguard the ethics of sport and to promote good governance.”
“By working together, we will make sure football can overcome the many challenges it faces, whether it is discrimination, match-fixing, third party ownership or violence,” he said, adding that the agreement “comes at a crucial time for European football.”
The areas of cooperation cover most of the challenges facing contemporary sport, including corruption, match fixing, financial instability, doping, violence and racism, as well as the promotion of education and training in football and through football.
UEFA also made a commitment to contribute actively to the European Week of Sport, which will be held for the first time in September 2015.
For further details:
Cooperation agreement between the European Commission and UEFA
European Commission: Sport
Twitter @VassiliouEU
