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The European Commission Action Plan for
Sport
UEFA and EU confront hooliganism
UEFA President Michel Platini and
senior European Union political figures have joined forces in calling
for sport to be protected against violence and hooliganism. Measures
are urged whereby sporting organisations, governments and the forces
of law and order would also increase their co-operation
By MARK CHAPLIN
Source: www.uefa.com
 The
message was issued at the start of a keynote two-day conference in Brussels
(the end of November), organised jointly by the European Commission
(with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council) and the European Parliament,
in association with UEFA, and entitled: Towards a European Union Strategy
against violence in sport.
Together with Mr Platini, participants included European Commission
vice-president Franco Frattini, European Commissioner Ján Figeµ, high-ranking
representatives from the EU member states, members of the European Parliament,
and senior representatives of the Council of Europe. The Commission
Action Plan for Sport - named the Pierre de Coubertin Plan in honour
of the Frenchman who founded the International Olympic Committee - was
adopted in summer 2007 as part of the Commission's White Paper on Sport.
The high-level conference is one of the first actions in the Plan.
The main objective of the conference, which was being attended by 150
delegates from EU states, was: to demonstrate Europe's strong political
commitment to preventing violence and other negative forms of conduct
in the football community; propose preventative measures; and promote
structured dialogue between national and local governments, law enforcement
agencies, judicial authorities and sports organisations. UEFA is using
the Brussels platform to highlight its own widespread activities in
this field.
"At the beginning of the year I came to Brussels and in the presence
of President [José Manuel] Barroso, I denounced the evils that were
menacing and continue to menace European sport," said Mr Platini.
"In February, somewhat provocatively, I launched the idea of a
European police force for sport - but slowly my idea has taken off.
 "Violence
is a problem of society and as football is at the centre of our social
lives, it is unfortunately common that the perpetrators of violence
seek to take over a game as visible and popular as football," added
Mr Platini. "We must therefore act to protect sport and to give
judges the means to enforce the law. UEFA already encourages partnerships
between national associations, clubs and national police. Now sporting
organisations, governments and the public forces of law and order must
also co-operate."
Vice-president Franco Frattini, commissioner responsible for Justice,
Freedom and Security, explained the significance of the event: "Violence
in sport is clearly destructive and counterproductive. We must strengthen
our efforts to prevent violence. But on its own, no country can find
the best solutions for tackling hooliganism and violence in sport. The
European Commission has a key role to play in that it can facilitate
the active involvement of law enforcement services, judicial authorities,
sports federations, supporters' organisations and other stakeholders
so that ultimately we can all enjoy sport peacefully."
Mr Figel', the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture
and Youth, including sport, continued: "Sport is an activity that
benefits our health, but it also has an important societal and economic
role, because it can strengthen social links and act as a catalyst for
social integration. Sport can also mobilise the best and the worst in
people. We must see how we can help sport fully develop its positive
potential, while curbing those negative activities that spoil its beneficial
impacts, such as violence. I am glad that with our action plan, and
this conference, we can make tangible progress to prevent and reduce
any kind of violence in sport."
(Published: 09.12.2007.)
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