PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL SECTOR
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
THE COMPETITION AUTHORITY HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL SECTOR
At its meeting on 31 March 2005, the Competition Authority resolved to commence a fact-finding investigation into the professional football and football agents industry.
The Authority deemed it appropriate to examine all the markets making up the professional football industry, to more accurately define these many sectors, by examining the elements that create, or do not create, competition, and the role made by the parties involved: the Italian Football Federation (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) and the National Professionals League (Lega Nazionale Professionisti), sports clubs and societies, footballers' agents and the agents' companies.
The investigation will therefore focus on the causes underlying any anomalies which may not be appropriate to facilitate genuine competition between all the parties involved.
The statutory and regulatory measures governing this industry will therefore be examined, particularly in cases where obligations are imposed which are potentially able to restrict competition.
Another aspect which the investigation must address, to identify the scope for competition and see where competition might be restricted, is the ways in which agency services are provided for the professional footballers' sports services, and the impact of any links between these societies and agencies and other parties in various fields.
Rome, 31 March 2005