Press Release: Limits to application of Treaty competition rules to sport: Commission gives clear signal

Sport and Competition Policy
The Commission has adopted two Decisions demonstrating the limits to the application of the EC Treaty's competition rules to sport. It highlights three key aspects of the Commission's policy in this sector: (1) the Commission recognises the regulatory powers of sports organisations as regards the non-economic aspects linked to the specific nature of the sport; (2) the rules of sports organisations that are necessary to ensure equality between clubs, uncertainty as to results, and the integrity and proper functioning of competitions are not, in principle, caught by the Treaty's competition rules; (3) the Commission investigates only cases that have a Community dimension and significantly affect trade between Member States.