Rodríguez Uribes defends in Brussels a European model of sport based on transparency and good governance

Brussels, 28 November 2025.- The President of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, participated this Friday in Brussels in the Council of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport to address together with the representatives of the Member States of the European Union the main challenges of the sector.

In his speech, Rodríguez Uribes defended the need to move towards “a social model, which places sport as a right in the strict sense”, accessible to all people regardless of their status or social origin. Thus, he stressed the importance of promoting the universality of sport and strengthening its links with physical and mental health.

Rodríguez Uribes has also stressed the need to protect professional athletes by recognizing their rights and has proposed moving towards a Statute for Athletes that guarantees dignified and homogeneous conditions throughout the European Union.

During this Friday’s session, special attention was paid to defending Europe against the relocation of competitions.

In that sense, Rodríguez Uribes has assured that “sport is a jewel that we must take care of and preserve”, betting on strengthening European competitions. “Let’s not get leagues out of Europe. Let’s keep them here, let’s strengthen our competitions in football, basketball or handball,” said the president of the CSD.

In addition, it has proposed to work not only to avoid relocation, but also to attract major events and competitions to Europe, within the framework of a sustainable sports industry, generating employment and wealth, and aligned with the values of the European Union.

The president of the CSD has considered that sport should be consolidated as “a bridge for peace between peoples”, consistent with the values that underpin the European project, and has called on the Member States of the European Union to maintain a “critical stance against serious human rights violations” that may occur in the international context.

The meeting also discussed the role that the European Union can play in supporting international sports federations to promote more democratic, transparent, strong and equal governance structures.

Rodríguez Uribes has explained the need for federations, clubs and leagues to adopt standards of governance, democracy and transparency, remembering that these entities exercise representational functions that require the strengthening of internal control mechanisms.

In this context, it has raised the possibility of creating a European Agency for Integrity and Democratic Values in Sport, as well as a European seal that distinguishes those entities that comply more strictly with the principles of good governance, equality, plurality and accountability.