Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 5

Written Answers. - Football Players Transfer System.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

At the request of the European Commission, UEFA has carried out a review of its international transfer system and its compatibility with European law. I understand that UEFA submitted the outcome of its review to the Commission by the end of October 2000 in accordance with the deadline agreed.

At a recent meeting of European Union Sports Ministers in Paris, the Commissioner responsible for sport, Mrs. Reding, provided an update on the matter. She informed Ministers that the Commission is considering the UEFA response and will be in contact with the football authorities and representatives of the players during the course of this process. The Commission has indicated its wish that any changes to the international transfer system arising from this review will be for the good of the sport generally and that an equitable balance will be achieved between the rights of the players and of the clubs, bearing in mind, in particular, the welfare of young players. I look forward to the Commission and the football sector reaching a mutually acceptable arrangement along these lines, and I will be making that point to the Commission and to the Sports Ministers in the coming months.