The decision comes after a two-day meeting of EU sports ministers last week. It resulted in 12 out of 15 EU member states agreeing to the amendments.
Explained a UEFA spokesman: “UEFA has long campaigned together with other major sports organisations for the legal recognition of the specific nature of sport in a future EU Treaty, as well as the protection of the autonomy of sport's governing bodies – thereby enabling them to carry out their work properly and free of unnecessary interference from political authorities at national and European level.
“The recommendation would bring the text of Article 182 of the new EU Treaty draft more into line with the principles of the Nice Declaration issued by European heads of state in 2000.
“Sports bodies have expressed the view that the Nice Declaration contains all the major elements considered essential for sport, and the safeguarding of sport in the future.”
Added a joint statement by UEFA president Lennart Johansson (pictured) and FIFA president Sepp Blatter: “We welcome the decision of the 12 member states to support significant changes to the proposed article on sport in line with the Nice Declaration.
"FIFA and UEFA have been working with the IOC and the whole sports movement to express the need for an improved wording that will truly give a sound legal basis for sport in Europe. “
FIFA and UEFA has welcomed plans to amend ‘sport-related stipulations’ of the EU Treaty in a bid to ensure sport’s special status is protected.
