01 September 2008

1st Study on sports agents in the European Union On July 16th the European Commission published an invitation to tender for a study on sports agents in the European Union. The project’s general objectives are as follows: 1. To draw up an inventory of the current situation as regards sports agents in the European Union 2. To identify, analyse and describe the problems arising from the activities of sports agents 3. To identify the various public and private regulations and legislation which apply to sports agents in the European Union 4. To identify the various public and private stakeholders involved in the regulation of activities of sports agents in the European Union 5. To identify good practices regarding regulation of the activities of sports agents 6. To assess the need for intervention, on the basis of an analysis of the problems arising, and the level and nature of any intervention necessary. Important facts on the study: - Relates to all 27 EU Member States - Estimated value: € 250,000 to € 300,000 - Deadline: October 01st 2008 http://ec.europa.eu/sport/news/news517_en.htm 2nd Study on doping in professional sport The study on doping in professional sport commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education was published on 23 June 2008. The study calls for arguments and legal competencies to be created for the European fight against doping. As a result, three possible approaches are being discussed: a health policy approach, a (sporting) ethical approach and a competition law approach. The study also deals with the development of doping methods, the technical possibilities for proving that doping has taken place and the health risks. It provides information on sports federations’ different approaches to tracing doping, on their ways of dealing with doping cases that have been exposed, and the interests of the main actors in the professional sports sector. On the basis of the insights gained, the study then presents possible scenarios for a future anti-doping strategy, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages in each case. The results of the study were presented at the meeting of the Committee on Culture and Education held on 14 July. The author of the study, Christophe Brissonneau of Paris Descartes University, particularly emphasised the great restrictions placed on the personal freedom of sportsmen and women under the current regulations and underlined that these require appropriate justification. The Committee members reiterated their will to tackle doping at European level too. At the same time, however, it became clear that the EU has limited legal competencies. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/organes/cult/cult_20080714_1500.htm