On October 7, heavy news came out of Brussels as EU Vice-President Schnase joined hands with UEFA President Ceferin to sign a collaboration agreement.
This agreement is no small feat, as it is the third collaboration between the two parties, following agreements signed by them in 2014 and 2018, and the result of much deliberation in June 2022.
The core objectives of the agreement are straightforward: to use the power of soccer to spread European values and approaches, to safeguard and strengthen the core principles and values of the European movement, to tell the story of European soccer's successes, and to promote European priority agendas such as climate action.
In the Collaboration Arrangement, the two sides will work on integrity in sport, combating match-fixing and corruption, supporting climate action and the green transition, and promoting healthy and active lifestyles. In UEFA events and competitions, the EU and UEFA will strengthen their cooperation in this area, in particular at key events such as UEFA EURO 2024 and Women's EURO 2025.
This long-standing partnership aims to engage in an in-depth and productive dialogue with Europe's leading sports organizations. The close collaboration between the EU and UEFA will contribute to the realization of the EU's policy objectives, including the promotion of inclusive, value-based forms of sport, the maintenance of good governance in sport, the protection of minors, human rights, gender equality and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
