European Parliament
Elena Băsescu  (PPE ),
in writing.
(RO)
I voted for this report because it provides a valuable contribution to defining new European competences in the area of sport. I welcome the emphasis placed on the educational and cultural value of sport, in addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle. Especially as we are in an Olympic year, I should stress that the spirit of fair play and the peaceful nature of competition are key features of sport, allowing it to fulfil its social role. I condemn displays of violence, hooliganism and racism during sporting contests. They must be stamped out because they go against the very spirit of sport. I welcome the report’s provisions in this area, including the proposal to ban supporters who have displayed violent behaviour from entering any stadium in Europe. I regret the violent incidents which have occurred at some football matches in Romania in recent months. I hope that the Law on combating violence in sport, announced right at the start of this year, will help eliminate this behaviour during sporting contests. I should point out that the law includes measures such as stiffer penalties and a significant increase in the size of the fines for acts of violence, not to mention additional training programmes for security staff and stewards.

