Discriminatory basketball practices

13.12.2017

Question for written answer E-007674-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Elena Valenciano (S&D)

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) stipulates multiple restrictions in its internal rules with regard to the movement of young players who are under 18 years of age.

Some of the restrictions which are applied to minors who are both basketball players and EU citizens are described in studies carried out by the Network on Free Movement of Workers and published by the Commission. These restrictions affect their movement between EU Member States.

In Spain, the media have highlighted the fact that European minors who travel to compete and play in Spanish clubs must pay the FIBA the sum of 3 000 Swiss francs (EUR 2 600) into a Swiss bank account.

Local basketball federations and the Spanish Federation denounce the fact that the FIBA’s demands violate the EU Treaties in terms of free movement of people, and the universal rights of minors, who, at sixteen years old, can move freely throughout the European Union to work, but not to play basketball.

1. How can the Commission protect minors who are basketball players?

2. Are the payments that the FIBA demands from European minors to play basketball legal?