October 20, 2007	Saturday	Shawwal 7, 1428

BRUSSELS, Oct 19: The IOC President Jacques Rogge and football federations described the approval on Friday of a European Union treaty with a specific article on sports as an “historic move” which should give sporting federations more autonomy.

Rogge and the federations were concerned that sports would increasingly fall under the free-market principles within the 27-nation bloc unless it received an exemption.

“This is definitely an important moment and we are grateful,” Rogge said.

“This is a major event that is crucial for the management of sport in general and especially football,” said FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

At a two-day summit in Lisbon, Portugal, the 27 government leaders agreed on Friday on a “reform treaty” that recognises the specific nature of sport, a byword for greater autonomy and possibly exemption from some economic competition rules.

Rogge and Blatter feared that the financial pyramid structure of sports, where money trickles from the top down, could be undermined by wealthy clubs setting up breakaway leagues based only on profit.—AP