EU: a declaration from sports ministers (excluding Spain's) in favour of the European model

• "We support the key features of a European sport model, including the pyramidal structure, the open system of promotion and relegation, the grassroots approach and solidarity;
• We call on the sport governing bodies to preserve such key features and values and in this regard secure the balance between the economic dimension of sport and its educational and social functions, as well as the relationship and solidarity between grassroots and professional levels."

These are two of the seven points in the declaration by 26 sports ministers from EU countries, published on 08/02/2024. This position statement, which only Pilar Alegría, the Spanish government's Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sport, did not sign, was published coinciding with the 48^th UEFA Congress in Paris (FRA), during which support for the European sports model was reaffirmed on the rostrum by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (French Minister for Education, Youth, Sport and the Youth Olympic Games), Philippe Diallo (president of the Fédération Française de Football) and Aleksander Ceferin (president of UEFA). Six…