Professional Sport and the Internal Market

Jun 1, 2005 - Aug 31, 2005

Project description

This study concerns the question how Community law affects professional sport, in particular with regard to the internal market and related competition issues.

Topic

- A legal and economic definition of the sport internal market
- free movement of professional sports players and the free provision of services by professional sports entities, such as clubs; also: nationality clauses, transfer fees at the end of the contract, work permits, the use of fixed term contracts; the right for sports clubs to settle in another Member State and to participate in the leagues of both home and host State.
- The clarification of the existing legal framework of professional sports, professional football in particular.
- competition issues: State Aid to professional football clubs, the position of UEFA, joint selling of broadcasting rights, multiple ownership of clubs, formats and participation in competitions, creation of new competitions, transfer system, licensing systems for professional football clubs.

Objective

- Short introduction on the EU’s current law and policy position with regard to sport in general and professional sport in particular
- Short description of the international, regional (Europe) and national legal framework of professional sport, and football in particular
- Identification of EC rules pertinent to the international framework of professional sport, and football in particular, and how they affect professional sport, and football in particular.
- The presentation of each issue regarding free movement and competition will be followed by a discussion of policy options and recommendations. To the Study will be added a list of conclusions – in particular based on the identification of the relevant EC rules and their discussion in the light of possible recommendations and options - as well as a set of questions and answers (Q&A).