The EU rejects the Super League with a specific resolution against “closed competitions”, that is, those which are accessed by invitation. This was announced by UEFA in an official note: «The sport ministers of the European Union – it states – have adopted a resolution of the Council of the European Union on the European sports model. The resolution, approved unanimously on behalf of the 27 member states, calls for the strengthening of organized sport based on Europe’s values and protecting it from threats such as closed competitions. The resolution follows up on the support for the European sports model recently expressed by both Parliament and the European Commission. The resolution of the Council of the EU is a milestone that will shape European sport in the coming decades. Uefa applauds the determination of the European sport ministers in reaching the agreement and welcomes the ideas of the EU Council on the future of sports policy in Europe ”.
Recognition of the role of the federations
According to UEFA, «with regard to European football, the position of the Council offers fundamental support for our values and our model of solidarity. In fact, the political vision of the EU fully supports and aligns itself with UEFA’s governance model, ”the statement continues. “For example, the 27 member states recognize the central role of federations in overseeing the organization and functioning of their respective sports and in reconciling stakeholders so that all contribute to the healthy development of sport.”
Sport as an identity
The member states of the Union “explicitly confirm the fundamental characteristics of the European sports model, such as a pyramid structure, an open system of promotions and relegations, an approach to grassroots football and solidarity, as well as the role of sport in national identity and its functions social and educational “. In more explicit terms, the note reports, “the resolution of the Council echoes the recent positions of Parliament and the European Commission and rejects closed competitions such as the Super League, reaffirming the principle of openness of sporting competitions and giving priority to sporting merit. It is important to underline that the resolution also underlines that sports organizations must continue to commit themselves to greater transparency and better governance, also taking into account a series of reforms supported or already implemented by UEFA ”.
Ceferin’s satisfaction
Furthermore, from the point of view of the European football federation, the EU “requires a greater inclusion of interested parties in decision-making processes, in particular towards fans and athletes. Uefa intends to investigate these issues with the main stakeholders of football in the context of the Convention on the future of European football ». Speaking of the resolution, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin explained that »it is a historic declaration of intent by the EU member states; there is no doubt that Europe and European sport will succeed in protecting and promoting our sporting model. We now have a long-term action plan at the continental level to defend a values-based, socially integrated and open project, ”he concluded. “With the support of our model, European football will remain the main example.”