By Martin Banks - 11th July 2011
We are united in our diversity
Commission spokesman
The European commission has angrily hit back at claims that sports teams may be forced to wear the EU emblem on their jerseys.
The possible proposal is contained in a report to be discussed by parliament's culture committee on Wednesday.
The new regulations, contained in a report on 'The European dimension in sport', drafted by Spanish MEP Santiago Fisas Ayxela, may also see European stadia and sports grounds being compelled to fly the EU flag.
UK Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson has slammed the plan as "grotesque".
But a commission spokesman has rubbished the claims, saying, "Of course, if a club or national team wants to wear the European flag next to its own flag or emblem, that's entirely up to them.
"But the commission has no authority to impose such a decision and nor would it wish to. We are united in our diversity.
"Our plans for a 'European dimension in sport', announced in January, are aimed at helping member states to better coordinate their response to pan-European challenges."
He said these include the fight against violence and racism in sport, doping, encouraging good governance in sport and helping associations establish mechanisms for the collective selling of media rights to ensure adequate redistribution of revenue.
Despite the denial, Stevenson said, "These grotesque proposals are just another example of euro madness aimed at diverting attention from the crisis in Greece and the crumbling eurozone.
"Why on earth should our sports men and women, with their proud heritage of representing Scotland on the international stage, be forced suddenly to play under another flag?
"Next we'll have the Scottish rugby squad taking to the pitch at Murrayfield sporting the blue flag with yellow stars, while the pipe band plays Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' – the EU anthem.
"Scottish national sporting teams boast a proud history of competitive, yet friendly and respectful, competition with counterparts on these islands, throughout Europe and around the world.
"They, like the other home nations, enjoy a fiercely protected sporting independence that is a foundation of their spirit and will to win.
"That will continue, but having this EU branding exercise thrust upon them by politicians they've never heard of smacks of massive disrespect and arrogance. Scottish sporting identity is for Scots alone to decide, and I for one will be voting against this crazy plan when it comes to parliament."
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