Discrimination in sport on the basis of disability

6.11.2019

Question for written answer E-003683/2019
to the Commission
Rule 138
Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE)

At its most recent plenary session, the European Parliament held a debate on the proposed directive on the principle of equal treatment of persons irrespective of their religious beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation.

The EU needs to have social values at its core, now more than ever. This directive, which has been blocked for over 10 years, could provide a strong impetus for upholding these values.

This week, the media reported on a volleyball player with Down’s syndrome who has spent her whole life playing in a team in a lower age group. However, the Spanish Volleyball Federation has refused to allow her to participate in the Spanish championship with the team she trains and plays with on a regular basis.

I would therefore like to seek the Commission’s opinion on the following:

Does the Commission agree that it is becoming increasingly necessary to unblock the Anti-discrimination Directive, which, once implemented, could resolve cases like the one outlined above?

Given its responsibility to defend the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, will the Commission contact the Spanish Volleyball Federation to rectify this situation?