Supporters Direct News

Supporters Direct singled out in European White Paper on Sport- European Governing Bodies call for ‘Firmer Conclusions’ in EU Sport White Paper

SD has been singled out for inclusion in the launch and documentation of EU White Paper on Sport. The main EU White Paper which is a shortened summary of the working documents makes reference to the governing bodies becoming more representative of all their stakeholder groups including supporters, which again was a direct result of SD’s intervention and lobbying. SD has also been singled out in the main working document for the European Commission setting out its implementation, background and context.

This is another significant step forward for the organisation to be recognised as a progressive force and a recommended means to encourage a greater degree of social dialogue between supporters and their clubs across Europe.

Meanwhile, UEFA and the worldwide governing bodies for ice hockey, basketball, handball, rugby and volleyball issued a joint statement calling for ‘firmer conclusions’ from the EU White Paper to aid sport’s future development.

In a joint statement, though the bodies welcomed the paper, they described the final version as ‘(unfortunately) a missed opportunity’

The statement went on to say; "As sports governing bodies, we are all committed to the protection of fair and open competition, to the promotion of player education and training, to the maintenance of competitive balance, and to the need to protect the integrity of our respective sports. These are all key features of the European sports model and we would like to see the European Commission work along side us to defend and nurture this model of sport - not just for the future development of sport but for the benefit of society as a whole.”

The bodies have committed to further involvement in the consultation process of the Paper, saying; ‘Looking forward however, we will continue to cooperate with the EU Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission, with particular attention to the appropriate inclusion of sport in the Reform Treaty."