White Paper faces continued criticism
However, as previously discussed, the White Paper does not necessarily reflect the Commission's final position and the document itself has no binding legal effect. Therefore, since that time, the principals of various high-profile sports bodies, including Jacques Rogge (IOC President), Sepp Blatter (FIFA President) and Michel Platini (UEFA President) have begun strident campaigns for the "specificity of sport" to be recognised in a planned reform of the treaty that governs the EU.
In particular, Jacques Rogge has reportedly sent a letter to the heads of government across the EU to urge that any amendments to the treaty include recognition of the autonomy of sporting organisations. Sepp Blatter, in a typically vociferous manner, then responded by pledging his full support to the IOC's campaign, citing the Bosman ruling, player-quotas and issue of promotion and relegation as specific instances where it is more appropriate, if not vital, for sport to maintain its autonomy. Finally, Michel Platini, in perhaps the most eloquent call for the recognition of the "specificity of sport" highlighted the fact that "a serious threat hangs over the development of European football: the malign and ever-present influence of money". In essence, Msr Platini's argument is that without the ability to impose sport-specific restrictions on agents, player quotas and club ownership the sport of football in particular will be left exposed to the increasing commercialism of the game and legal challenges from powerful financial interests.
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