Sittings · Document
Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the Role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model
Rapporteur: Bogdan Andrzej ZDROJEWSKI (EPP / PL)
References: 2025/2035(INI) / A10-0157/2025 / P10_TA(2025)0212
Date of adoption of the resolution: 7 October 2025
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The resolution underscores the multifaceted role of sport as a public good, emphasising its vital contributions to society by serving citizens of all ages, fostering health (including mental health) education, social cohesion, and skill development. Central to this vision is a strong focus on inclusion, recognising the need to create equitable opportunities for all individuals to participate in and benefit from sport.
Protecting the European Sport Model is paramount, advocating a values-based approach that upholds the integrity and spirit of European sport. The resolution also emphasises the indispensable role of volunteers in both professional and grassroots sport, highlighting their contribution to promoting sport at all levels, strengthening community bonds, and making sports accessible to diverse population.
The resolution also urges the Commission to address a number of issues, many of which will feed into the preparation of the forthcoming Commission Communication, ‘A Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model.’ Overall, the Parliament aims to foster an inclusive, vibrant and competitive sport ecosystem that benefits all European citizens, in full alignment with the Commission’s vision.
Response to requests and overview of actions taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
13. The Commission shares the Parliament’s view on the importance of strengthening youth development as a cornerstone of the European Sport Model. In this context, it will continue to encourage sport’s governing bodies and relevant stakeholders to design and implement fair and transparent solidarity mechanisms that reward clubs investing in the training and education of young athletes. Such mechanisms are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of European sport, while preserving the link between grassroots and professional levels. The Commission will also explore how EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, and forthcoming policy initiatives under the Commission Communication ‘A Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model’, which is expected to be adopted by the end of 2026, can further support skills development, education, and career pathways for young athletes across Europe.
14. and 15. The Commission agrees that financial solidarity is a key element of the European Sport Model. It takes note of the Parliament’s proposal to undertake a study on existing financial solidarity mechanisms, assessing their impact and exploring how they could develop in the future. Such a study should provide evidence-based insights and perspectives on how financial solidarity mechanisms operate across different sports and levels of competition in Europe.
18. The Commission fully recognises the need to ensure that funding for sport reaches clubs and organisations at the grassroots level, where it can have the greatest social and community impact. Through Erasmus+, the Commission already supports a wide range of projects promoting inclusion, health, integrity, and participation in sport across Europe. Building on this success, the Commission will examine ways to further strengthen and simplify access to EU funding for local sport actors, including through clearer guidance and targeted support. Ensuring that EU investment directly benefits grassroots actors will remain a key priority in the future development of Erasmus+ and the forthcoming Commission Communication ‘A Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model’.
19. The Commission shares the Parliament’s view on the importance of investing in safe, accessible, and sustainable sports infrastructure to foster inclusion, health, and community cohesion. Member States and regions can already make use of existing EU funding opportunities in the 2021-2027 period. For example, under Cohesion policy, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) allows for investments in local and regional sport infrastructure projects, as part of long-term social inclusion efforts or integrated territorial development strategies. This support can target vulnerable areas such as less developed regions, rural and remote areas and disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, in accordance with identified needs and challenges.
20. The Commission agrees that sound financial governance is fundamental for safeguarding the long-term sustainability and integrity of professional sport in Europe. In line with the principles of the European Sport Model, transparency, accountability, and fair financial management are key to maintaining balanced and credible competitions. The Commission will continue to engage in dialogue with Member States, sport governing bodies, and stakeholders to encourage coherent financial sustainability frameworks across professional sports, and will maintain its cooperation with social partners through European Social Dialogue.
22. The Commission fully shares the Parliament’s call to strengthen environmental responsibility and climate adaptation including nature-based solutions in sport. The recently launched Green Sport Manifesto, endorsed by a wide range of European and international stakeholders, reflects this shared commitment to making the sport ecosystem a driver of the green transition. In cooperation with Member States and sport organisations, the Commission will continue to promote sustainable practices – from eco-friendly equipment and sustainable infrastructure management to carbon-responsible event organisation and environmental education through sport. These efforts are also currently supported through Erasmus+, with the aim to mainstream environmental sustainability in sport policies and practices in Europe.
23. The Commission is closely monitoring the growing trend of foreign investment and ownership in European sport. In line with the principles of the European Sport Model, it will consider its potential impact on financial integrity and competitive balance, while supporting efforts to ensure transparency, sustainability, and fairness across all competitions.
24.The Commission fully shares the view of the Parliament that foreign investment and ownership in European sport and its possible impacts need to be monitored closely when supporting efforts to safeguard the financial integrity of European sport.
In this context it has to be noted that the adopted Anti-money laundering (AML) package for the first time contains provisions on professional sport. It contains obligations relating to certain activities of professional football clubs and football agents that have been found to be exposed to risks of money laundering and other related criminal offences. The current AML framework does not foresee to extend the AML provisions to other sectors of professional sport.
The Commission will review the application of the AMLR and submit a first report to the Parliament by 2032.
28. The Commission recognises the serious threat that online piracy poses to the sustainability of the sport ecosystem and the protection of media rights. On 20 November, the Commission released a detailed report evaluating the effectiveness the 2023 Recommendation to combat online piracy of sports and other live content. In its report, the Commission acknowledges the steady progress achieved in the fight against live event piracy while also noting an overall stagnant level of web-based piracy alongside piracy through illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). The Commission will reflect on future steps, noting the importance of continued collaboration among EU bodies. The Commission also advocates for raising public awareness, supporting legal content options, and encouraging Member States to strengthen their anti-piracy efforts.
29. The Commission is aware of the increasing use of dynamic ticket pricing and its potential impact on consumer accessibility and fairness at sports events. It will monitor market practices to ensure full compliance with EU competition and consumer protection rules and is ready to work with relevant authorities and stakeholders to promote transparent, fair, and inclusive access to sporting events for all fans.
31. The Commission fully recognises that the autonomy of the sport movement must be accompanied by good governance, integrity, and transparency. In line with the work on the European Sport Model, the Commission will continue to promote high governance standards across all levels of sport and will propose related actions in the framework of its future Communication on ‘A strategic vision for sport in Europe: reinforcing the European Sport Model’.
37. 38. and 39. The Commission fully supports the promotion of social dialogue in sport as a cornerstone of good governance and inclusive decision-making. Through the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) on Professional Football, the Commission facilitates social dialogue between employers and workers’ representatives to address key issues such as working conditions, governance, and equality. The Commission underlines that SSDCs should strive to be inclusive, maintain and increase representativeness. It will continue to encourage and support inclusive and effective social dialogue mechanisms at all levels of sport in Europe.
41. The Commission recognises the importance of supporting athletes beyond the field of play, including their dual careers, lifelong learning, post-retirement transitions, personal development, and mental health. Through the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group on athletes’ rights, the Commission supports collaboration and exchange of best practices among EU Member States on equipping athletes with the skills and support needed to thrive in their sporting and personal lives.
47. The Commission fully shares the views of the Parliament on the importance of developing a strategic document for long term policy development of sport and physical activity in Europe. In 2026, the Commission intends to adopt a Communication to put forward ‘A strategic vision for sport in Europe: reinforcing the European Sport Model’. This strategic document will aim to reaffirm and promote a model for sport in Europe based on values, while also recognising the impact of sport from an economic, social and educational perspective.
48. The Commission supports and promotes ongoing dialogue on sport policy and remains committed to actively engaging with all stakeholders at EU, national, and grassroots levels. It seeks to foster inclusive discussions that contribute to building a resilient and values-driven European sport ecosystem.
49. The Commission contributes to implementing the EU Work Plan for Sport 2024–2027 by supporting evidence-based policymaking through the launch of studies and the systematic collection of data at EU level. Through these studies and analyses, the Commission helps identify emerging trends, challenges, and best practices in areas such as inclusion, sustainability, integrity, and innovation in sport. The aim is to build knowledge to be shared with stakeholders and used to inform future policy initiatives.
50. The Commission will pursue its efforts in promoting compliance with the principles of the European Sport Model, in view of countering practices that could undermine the integrity, openness, and sustainability of sport in Europe.
51. The Commission will address these issues and put forward its long-term vision for sport in the upcoming Communication on ‘A strategic vision for sport in Europe: reinforcing the European Sport Model’.
54. The recent judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union (International Skating Union, Superleague, Diarra, and Royal Antwerp) already provide important guidance for stakeholders on how EU competition law applies to the sport sector. The Commission will explore further needs in this area.