The secretary of state for sport, María José Free, drives the Spanish sport on the board of Europa

Estrasburgo, 06 September 2019. The secretary of state for sport and chairwoman of the sports Higher Council (CSD), María José Free, visited today the Council of Europa in Estrasburgo where it has been received by the General secretary, Thorbjørn Jagland and Deputy Secretary-General, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni. During this meeting, Free has deposited the ratification on behalf of Spain convention for the protection, safety and focus on the football and other sporting events, thus enabling its launch and the convening of the first meeting in the coming months.

The object of this agreement is to create a safe environment, protected and cordial during sporting events. For this, the signatory countries undertakes to adopt a common approach and balanced in terms of security and protection, based on the institutional cooperation locally, nationally and internationally.

The secretary of state for sport has exposed the commitment of Spain with defending the values of sport, both in terms of protecting the security of sporting events as in the fight against doping.

Moreover, accompanied by the ambassador permanent representative of Spain, Manuel Montobbio, and by the director of the Spanish Agency of health protection in sport, José Luis Sand, Free have set before the ambassadors of member states of the council of Europa proposals, challenges and commitments of its candidacy to the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In this presentation has explained that its objectives are: the defence of clean athletes and their presence in decision-making bodies of LOVE, transfer clearly and visibly the approach of governments in Europe and maintain and improve governance in the functioning of the LOVE, among others.

María José Free is the Spanish candidate for the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (LOVES) by Europa. The official presentation of his candidacy, as well as the other four nominations, will take place the next day 11 September during the celebration of the European Committee of LOVE, in Estrasburgo, and then to the vote of the new European representative in the Executive committee of the organization.