"Competition law"

As a result of the growing importance of the economic activities connected to sport, the European Commission has had to deal with an increasing number of competition cases in this area.
These cases have either led to formal decisions or have been resolved informally through settlements. The Community Courts have also handed down a growing number of important judgments in the field of sport.
European competition law covers antitrust, merger control and State aid. Most sports-related cases have been handled under antitrust rules which prohibit anti-competitive agreements and practices (Article 81 EC Treaty), as well as abuse of dominant position (Article 82 EC Treaty). These cases have essentially concerned the regulatory/organisational aspects of sport and certain revenue-generating activities connected with it, such as media rights and ticket sales arrangements for events.
In a recent important judgment, the Meca-Medina case of 18 July 2006, the European Court of Justice provided useful guidance on the application of EU competition rules to sport, notably in respect of the regulatory aspects of sport.
While the application of European competition law to economic activities in the sports sector is of great importance, the Commission and the Community Courts have recognised, and will continue to recognise, the important social and cultural roles of sport when considering cases related to sport (specificity of sport).
In addition to the European institutions, the national competition authorities and national courts also apply EU antitrust rules. Sport-related cases of national or local character will normally be dealt with by the national competition authority in the Member State concerned, while the Commission will be well placed to deal with cases which have effects in a large number of Member States. There is close co-operation between the European Commission and the national competition authorities to ensure a consistent application of EU antitrust rules.

"Supporters"

Supporters are one of the main driving forces in sport. For professional clubs, they often constitute a particular kind of captive consumers for long periods of time.
The European Commission considers that supporters are a voice to be heard and encourages them to organise themselves in democratic and accountable organisations or trusts. While no European supporters' structures exist, encouraging developments have taken place in some Member States.
Responsible democratic representation of supporters is important to improve governance in sport and to reinforce the links between clubs and their local communities.

"systems for clubs"

Licensing systems for clubs
Licensing systems for clubs are applied in different sports (such as football, basketball and rugby) as a condition for participation in national and/or European competitions.
The purpose of licensing systems is mainly to ensure that sports clubs respect a minimum set of criteria on financial management and transparency. They thereby reduce the chance that clubs drop out from competitions prematurely.
In a broadly self-regulating sector such as sport, licensing systems constitute a key tool for improving the governance of clubs.
The Commission recognises the usefulness and necessity of licensing systems and is ready to contribute to the development of such systems at national and European levels, provided that they do not go beyond what is necessary and do not infringe on competition rules and Internal Market principles.

"racism and violence"

Fight against racism and violence
Violence at sports events, especially at football grounds, remains a disturbing problem. Violent and racist behaviour can jeopardise the role of sport as a tool to convey positive values. It also challenges the fundamental values of European integration.
The Commission is committed to contributing to the prevention of such incidents by promoting and facilitating dialogue with Member States, international organisations, sports organisations, law enforcement services and other stakeholders (such as supporters' organisations and local authorities). Law enforcement authorities cannot deal with the underlying causes of violence in sport alone.
The Commission also encourages the exchange of best practice and of operational information on risk supporters among police services and/or sports authorities.

"Doping"

The ever-increasing commercialisation of professional sport has led to an increase in the temptation to take drugs to enhance performance.
Doping poses a threat to sport worldwide, including in Europe. It undermines the principle of open and fair competition. It is a demotivating factor for sport in general and puts the professional under unreasonable pressure. It seriously affects the image of sport and poses a serious threat to individual health. At European level, the fight against doping must take into account both a law-enforcement and a health and prevention dimension.
It should be noted that the problem of doping does not only exist in the professional sports field. Studies led by the European Commission have revealed that amateur athletes are also making increasing use of performance-enhancing drugs. Doping has thus increasingly become an issue that affects the whole of society.
Many different actors are trying to tackle the problem of doping and the Commission is looking, together with Member States, for ways to link the work of the various actors better. In this context, the Commission maintains regular contacts with Member States, the Council of Europe, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

"rule of transfer"

The European Commission recognises the right of sports authorities to set rules for player transfers. In the absence of such rules, the integrity of sporting competitions could be undermined by clubs recruiting players during a given season to prevail upon their competitors.
At the same time, transfer rules must respect EU competition provisions as well as rules on the free movement of workers. It is this link between transfer rules and Internal Market provisions which explains the involvement of the European Commission in the debate about transfer rules in recent years.

"skin health"

The importance of keeping your skin healthy can't be overemphasized. It's the body's first defense against disease and infection, and it protects your internal organs from injuries. It is, in fact, the largest organ in the body. The skin helps regulate body temperature and prevents excess fluid loss, and it also helps your body remove excess water and salt.
Skin conditions can affect anyone-young and old, men and women. Acne, psoriasis and eczema are just a few examples of common skin disorders. The good news is that there are a number of simple ways to keep skin healthy, and there also are now many options available to treat skin conditions, if treatment is necessary.