Ministers for sports: EU funding should be reviewed for sports organisations that allow Russian and Belarusian participation

Ministers for sports: EU funding should be reviewed for sports organisations that allow Russian and Belarusian participation

EU ministers for sports have asked the European Commission to consider whether EU funding should be restricted for international sports organisations that have allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

A letter addressed to Commissioner Glenn Micallef recalls that the EU countries have repeatedly urged international sports organisations not to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes, coaches, referees, and officials to participate in international sporting competitions until Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has ended.

The sports ministers emphasise that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, enabled by the Belarusian government, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. The letter underlines that Russia's actions are incompatible with the core principles of international sport - respect for human rights, the rule of law and peaceful relations between nations.

The letter also highlights the difficult situation faced by Ukrainian athletes. The war has severely hindered their possibilities to train, prepare and participate under equal conditions, and many athletes have been displaced or have chosen to defend their country.

The ministers ask the European Commission to consider the necessary steps to ensure that organisations whose actions are inconsistent with the values of the European Union do not benefit from EU financial support. The review should include, in particular, funding under the Erasmus+ programme and other relevant EU programmes, and the role of sports organisations in EU forums and cooperation platforms.

The ministers state that the purpose of the proposed funding suspensions is to encourage sports organisations to demonstrate a renewed commitment to the values that the European Union seeks to promote and defend.

The letter was signed by the ministers for sports from Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

Letter to Commissioner Glenn Micallef

Inquiries:
Tiina Kivisaari, Director, tel. +358 295 330 178
Satu Heikkinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330 102
Toni Ahva, Special Adviser to Minister Poutala, tel. +358 295 330 036