Compatibility of football stadium with competition rules

4.4.2014

Question for written answer E-004243-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Mark Demesmaeker (Verts/ALE)

Individual football clubs, and also associations of football clubs, such as the Royal Belgian Football Federation, are governed by EU competition rules because they engage in economic operations (e.g. negotiating the collective sale of broadcasting rights; concluding agreements on advertising; organising sports competitions in return for payment). The EU rules are designed to achieve a level playing field for all European football clubs, so that no club receives from any government body favourable treatment which is not available to competing clubs.

There are plans for building a new Belgian national stadium on land belonging to the public authorities (particularly the City of Brussels), which would not only be used for home matches involving the Belgian national team but would also double as the new home ground of RSC Anderlecht. The selective advantage which this club would derive from this — particularly the right to use the national stadium, which is in no way proportionate to the club’s contribution towards the investment involved — and the resultant (possible) economic and sporting development of the club could distort competition with other football clubs, both in Belgium and in the EU.

Does the Commission consider that this project for a Belgian national stadium and the associated benefits which would accrue to a single club (and which that club would not stand to gain under normal market conditions) accords with EU competition law, or does it not?

OJ C 375, 22/10/2014