WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3503/97 by Eryl McNALLY to the Commission. UEFA Executive Committee decision not to allow future winners of major cup competition entry into European club competitions
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/69 (98/C 174/112) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3503/97 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission (10 November 1997) Subject: UEFA Executive Committee decision not to allow future winners of major cup competition entry into European club competitions Following a letter which I received in my constituency, I would like to draw the Commissionís attention to the UEFA Executive Committee ás decision to disallow the Coca-Cola Cup as a means of qualification for the UEFA. This decision will have far-reaching and damaging consequences for all those involved in UK League football, affecting participation in the Coca-Cola Cup and revenue from sponsorship and television. What can the Commission do to support the Football Leagueís claim for a European place to be restored to this seasonís Coca-Cola Cup? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1997) The Commission is aware of the problems resulting from the changes introduced by the Union of European football associations (UEFA) to the rules on access to the UEFA cup. The investigation of the case is in progress. For further details, the Commission would like to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the answer given to written question E-3191/97 by Mr Ford (1). (1) OJ C 117, 16. 4. 1998, p. 163. (98/C 174/113) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3506/97 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) and Giacomo Santini (UPE) to the Commission (10 November 1997) Subject: Violation of human rights in Greece Following a road accident while on holiday in Crete a young Italian, Valeria Zagato, was arrested and unlawfully subjected to a period of preventive imprisonment. She was then sentenced during a trial conducted exclusively in Greek that did not guarantee minimum defence or civil rights solely because she was a foreigner. Did Greece not have to respect human rights as early as 1981 when it acceded to the European Community? Will the Commission investigate whether there was any abuse of power or cover-up by the Greek authorities in the Zagato case simply because she was not a Greek citizen? If it is established that human rights were violated will the Commission summon Greece to appear before the competent authorities? What will the Commission do to prevent such episodes which are outrageous and denigrating for the whole European Union? Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (16 January 1998) The Commission attaches great importance to the respect for human rights. It has competence in this area insofar as Community law is concerned