WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3098/98 by Umberto BOSSI to the Council. Professional relations among professional soccer players
14. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 135/167 (1999/C 135/207) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3098/98 by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Council (19 October 1998) Subject: Professional relations among professional soccer players Barriers should not be created that hinder or prevent free competition in the area of professional relations between soccer players and sports promoters, or promoters in general, who operate in a complex and constantly evolving industry. The system adopted by the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], which involves the drawing up of a special list, does not comply with Italian law since it does not meet the criteria required for the system to be recognised as a professional body. Private enterprise should not be prevented from bringing its inventiveness, creativity, research capacity, initiative and imagination to the business of competitive sporting activities, where these activities constitute industrial and commercial activities like any other. In view of the above, can the Council say: 1. whether the notion of sports promoter, as defined by the FIGC, is at odds with the evolving Community case law in the area of professional activities; 2. whether the FIGC regulation on sports promoters constitutes an obstacle to the freedom to provide services, in particular in cases of professional activities being exercised jointly, in relation to the applicability of the provisions of Italian law No 287/90? Reply (20/21 December 1998) The Council would remind the Honourable Member that, pursuant to the Treaty, it is the Commission which is responsible for ensuring that Treaty provisions are applied. It follows that, insofar as the Honourable Member’s questions on professional relations between soccer players and sports promoters relate to the freedom to exercise professional activities and freedom of competition, they fall within the Commission’s sphere of competence. (1999/C 135/208) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3099/98 by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission (16 October 1998) Subject: Professional relations among professional soccer players Barriers should not be created that hinder or prevent free competition in the area of professional relations between soccer players and sports promoters, or promoters in general, who operate in a complex and constantly evolving industry. The system adopted by the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], which involves the drawing up of a special list, does not comply with Italian law since it does not meet the criteria required for the system to be recognised as a professional body. Private enterprise should not be prevented from bringing its inventiveness, creativity, research capacity, initiative and imagination to the business of competitive sporting activities, where these activities constitute industrial and commercial activities like any other