EUROPEAN COMMISSION

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 18 September 2012

EU Sport Forum: Sport leaders and Ministers step up fight against match-fixing Representatives of Europe's sport movement and Sport Ministers will pledge to step up their fight against match-fixing when they meet at the EU Sport Forum, organised by the European Commission in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 19-20 September. They are expected to endorse a 'Declaration on the fight against match-fixing'. The Forum, which coincides with an informal meeting of EU Sport Ministers, will also discuss issues such as the contribution of sport to the EU economy, future EU funding for grass-roots sport, and the promotion of physical activity and active ageing.

"Sport is an important part of life for millions of people in Europe. I am committed to promoting sport and physical activity for all ages. An active lifestyle is key to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, sport also faces many challenges today. Funding at EU level can help to address issues with cross-border repercussions such as match-fixing, sportrelated violence, intolerance and gender inequality,” said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner responsible for sport.

The European Commission has proposed a sport chapter as part of Erasmus for All, the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. The proposed budget for sport is €34 million a year on average between 2014 and 2020. Support will be given to transnational projects aimed at boosting the exchange of know-how and good practices, non-commercial European sport events of major importance and work to strengthen the evidence base for policy-making in sport. The main beneficiaries will be public bodies and civil society organisations active in grass-roots sport.

The Sport Forum will also showcase EU-funded projects implemented during the past two years, aimed at supporting the fight against doping, access to sport for the disabled, gender equality, physical activity, volunteering in sport, the fight against violence and intolerance in sport, social inclusion of immigrants, and the promotion of good governance in sport. Since 2009 the Commission provided more than €12 million in support of such projects in these and other areas.

2 Next steps

The Council and the European Parliament are discussing the Commission's Erasmus for All proposal. The final budget is expected to be known after the completion of negotiations on the overall multiannual financial framework for all EU policy areas, possibly by the end of this year. The Commission will make a proposal for an EU policy initiative to promote health-enhancing physical activity in 2013.

Background

The EU Sport Forum, which is held annually, is an opportunity for the Commission to inform the sport movement about its current proposals and to listen to their views. It brings together 250 delegates, including leading figures from the international and European Olympic Committees, European federations, sport for all organisations, and organisations of leagues, clubs and athletes. The EU Sport Forum will also discuss good governance in sport through the European social dialogue with employers and athletes.

Commissioner Vassiliou will also take part in the informal meeting of EU Sport Ministers (20-21 September). Among other things, Ministers will discuss the impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two joint high-level panels will focus on the contribution of sport and health-enhancing physical activity to Europe's economy and the fight against match-fixing.

The Ministers will also discuss ways to better promote sport and health in the context of Europe's ageing society and exchange views on the EU's representation in the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) in order to seek consensus on the designation of a governmental expert for the WADA Board.

For more information

EU Sport Forum programme

European Commission: sport website

Androulla Vassiliou's website

Cyprus Presidency of the EU

Follow Androulla Vassiliou on Twitter @VassiliouEU

NICOSIA DECLARATION ON THE FIGHT AGAINST MATCH-FIXING

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union,

Meeting at the EU Sport Forum and Informal Meeting of EU Sport Ministers

in Nicosia on the 20 September 2012

have endorsed the following Declaration:

Match-fixing constitutes one of the most serious threats to contemporary sport, undermining the fundamental values of integrity, fair play and respect for others. It is a growing and pressing problem affecting many Member States and many sports. Addressing the issue requires urgent, concerted, and coordinated efforts from public authorities, the sport movement and betting operators.

The fight against match-fixing necessitates effective and sustained action in the following five key areas:

 Education, Prevention and Good Governance

Initiatives in these areas should target all actors in the field of sport, including athletes, their entourage, referees, match officials, supporters and management.

 Monitoring

Efficient monitoring and detection mechanisms should be further developed and sharing of relevant information among stakeholders should be improved.

 Sanctions

Dissuasive, effective and proportionate sanctions, including criminal and disciplinary sanctions, should be in place and enforced in match-fixing cases. Prosecution of serious match-fixing cases, and notably of those with cross-border implications, should be prioritised.

 Cooperation

Cooperation among all the interested parties, including public authorities, law enforcement agencies, sport stakeholders and betting operators should be reinforced.

 International coordination

The global scale of match-fixing requires enhanced coordination of all the efforts undertaken by the relevant parties at both European and international level.