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Euro MPs back call for sports shirts to feature EU flag | |
(40 minutes later) | |
The European Parliament has voted to back a call for national sports teams to wear the EU flag on their shirts. | |
It also endorsed a plan for the EU flag to be flown at major international sporting events in Europe, but neither of the measures would be compulsory. | It also endorsed a plan for the EU flag to be flown at major international sporting events in Europe, but neither of the measures would be compulsory. |
Both ideas are contained in a report that also urges action against doping, hooliganism, match-fixing and shady deals by players' agents. | Both ideas are contained in a report that also urges action against doping, hooliganism, match-fixing and shady deals by players' agents. |
The recommendations will now be considered by the European Commission. | The recommendations will now be considered by the European Commission. |
The vote was passed by 550 votes to 73, with seven abstentions. | The vote was passed by 550 votes to 73, with seven abstentions. |
British Conservative MEPs voiced concern that the new measures might offend loyal fans and interfere with professional sport. | British Conservative MEPs voiced concern that the new measures might offend loyal fans and interfere with professional sport. |
'Artificial European identity' | 'Artificial European identity' |
Emma McClarkin, the party's spokesperson on sport and culture in the European Parliament, said the EU flag proposal was "outrageous and unnecessary". | Emma McClarkin, the party's spokesperson on sport and culture in the European Parliament, said the EU flag proposal was "outrageous and unnecessary". |
"Sport has a special place in my country, and our national teams form a key part of our identities and heritage," she told the parliament. | "Sport has a special place in my country, and our national teams form a key part of our identities and heritage," she told the parliament. |
"The EU cannot impose an artificial European identity on us by forcing our athletes to wear its emblem." | "The EU cannot impose an artificial European identity on us by forcing our athletes to wear its emblem." |
The party objected when Speaker Martin Schulz refused to allow MEPs to vote on individual clauses in the report "in the interests of efficiency". | The party objected when Speaker Martin Schulz refused to allow MEPs to vote on individual clauses in the report "in the interests of efficiency". |
Irish Fianna Fail MEP Liam Aylward said the dispute over the EU flag should not overshadow the report's other provisions. | Irish Fianna Fail MEP Liam Aylward said the dispute over the EU flag should not overshadow the report's other provisions. |
He commended the report as a "strong framework to create a European sports policy that is based on social inclusion and enhancing sport in Europe". | He commended the report as a "strong framework to create a European sports policy that is based on social inclusion and enhancing sport in Europe". |
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