History/Football Politics/Social Dialogue in Sport: Study into the Possible Participation of EPFL and G-14 in a Social Dialogue in the European Professional Football Sector

Abstract

In the light of a growing number of challenges to sport governance, social dialogue at European level can contribute to addressing common concerns of employers and athletes, including agreements on employment relations and working conditions in the sector in accordance with TFEU (formerly, EC Treaty) provisions. In line with the principle of autonomy, the social partners can choose if and when to address a joint request to set up a sectoral social dialogue committee to the Commission. It will examine any request according to the conditions laid out. Taking into account the specificity of the sport structure, social partner organizations could identify relevant third bodies that they want to invite to take part in their social dialogue as observers. It should be kept in mind that a European social dialogue is, above all, a bi-partite dialogue between social partners.