The EU Office has produced and published a “Position paper on the impact of COVID-19 crisis on the sport sector”, following collaboration with sport stakeholders of the European Commission’s Share initiative.

The Share initiative features public authorities, sport organisations, universities, small and medium enterprises, and business support organisations across Europe who are engaged in highlighting sport's importance for regional development.

The paper asks for sporting organisations to be eligible for funding support.

“This is related, especially, to the redirection of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), such as the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII), and the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus,” the EOC EU Office said.

“As the ESIF are managed at national/regional level, they should be used as an instrument to directly support sport clubs, federations, athletes and coaches to mitigate the impact of the crisis on their operation and activities.

“Furthermore, the paper presents an "action plan for the promotion of sport for a more resilient and sustainable Europe", proposing more support measures that would "directly benefit the sport sector."

The support is considered necessary with sporting events having been postponed or cancelled, with questions over how to end respective competition seasons.

The EOC EU Office said the world of sport faces challenges from small grassroots clubs to professional teams, as well as athletes, coaches, competition officials, fans and sponsors.

Sport clubs and federations are claimed to be the hardest hit due to being non-for-profit organisations, meaning they are not allowed to keep substantial reserves.

They warn these clubs and federations could face liquidity shortages or potentially bankruptcy due to the lack of revenue, with organisations potentially forced to lay off their staff.

The paper aims to highlight the importance of sport to the EU’s economy, saying that in 2012 the industry represented €279.7 billion (£244 billion/$301 billion), equalling 2.12 per cent of the total GDP of the EU.

This percentage is highlighted as being among the reasons the EU needs to provide support for sport, with its role in social cohesion, health and wellbeing also mentioned.

A total of 5.67 million people are said to be employed in the sport sector, representing 2.72 per cent of total EU employment.

The paper has been supported by FIBA Europe, European Athletics, the European Handball Federation and Rugby Europe, as well as 18 National Olympic Committees.

The EU Office say the position paper has been sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to highlight awareness of sport’s needs during the crisis.

EU Commissioners Mariya Gabriel and Elisa Ferreira, who are responsible for sport and cohesion and reforms respectively, were also sent the letter along with European Parliament President David Sassoli.

The position paper calls the sport sector to be eligible to receive funds for the protection of jobs, employees and self-employed against the risk of dismissal and loss of income.

It calls for the easing of rules relating to state aid with a view to allowing tax breaks for entities and organisations that promote sport activities, as well as stimulating innovation programmes for sport enterprises to address the current societal challenges.

The paper also says loans to ensure the liquidity of sport clubs and other associations should be provided through existing EU financial instruments, such as the European Investment Bank or newly created instruments as a response to this crisis.

Further measures requested include redirecting certain EU and national funding streams towards actions promoting the wellbeing of citizens including through sport and physical activity, setting up solidarity funds for grassroots sports clubs and their employees, including outsourced coaches and freelancers.

Help for schools and physical education teachers to continue training pupils through digital means that are effective and safe and supporting activities to promote healthy active lifestyles in the working population have also been requested.

“These unique circumstances, beyond all the harm and sadness they bring, are also an opportunity to innovate, to rethink policies and to reassess priorities in the long run,” the paper says.

“The present-day crisis urges us to address priorities linked to health, resilience to disease and physical fitness. 

"Sport and physical activity contribute to making societies and EU citizens more resilient.

“In the middle of a pandemic, the contribution of sport to preventive health care becomes increasingly important.

“Furthermore, sport clubs and associations are deeply embedded in communities and are excellent at engaging with people from widely differing backgrounds.

“With their position in community life, these organisations therefore have a significant role both in mobilising society to face health threats and in leading the re-launching of social and economic activity once the lockdown period begins to ease up.

“Stopping the spread of COVID-19 may cause unprecedented changes to daily routines but ensuring the health and well-being of EU citizens through it all remains of the utmost priority.

“That’s why investing in sport and health-enhancing physical activity is more important than ever.

“In order to achieve a sustainable, healthy Europe, sport and physical activity must be brought into the heart of all policies.”

The full position paper can be accessed here position_paper_COVID-19 final_revision.pdf