undertake joint initiatives such as developing guiding models for public–private cooperation, developing a code of conduct for all public and private stakeholders in major sport events.

16. Calls on international, European and national sports federations to accept in their statutes the right to have recourse to ordinary courts, but recognises that the principle of self-regulation by national authorities, leagues and competitions underpins and justifies the structures of the European sport model and the fundamental principles governing the organisation of sport competitions;

5. Asks the sporting organisations to accept the right of recourse to ordinary courts while recognising the principle of self-regulation in sport, the structures of the European Sports model and the principles governing the organisation of sporting competitions;

15. Calls on UEFA and FIFA to accept in their statutes the right to have recourse to ordinary courts, but recognises that the principle of self-regulation by national authorities, leagues and competitions underpins and justifies the structures of the European sport model and the fundamental principles governing the organisation of sport competitions;

In this context, professional athletes and amateur sport persons, as well as sport clubs, are role models for society, especially for young people, and other sport organisations and civil society organisations dealing with sport also contribute to social inclusion in and through sport.

3. Considers that football has suffered from the absence of a clear, stable and predictable legal framework; notes, moreover, that sport is having to deal with a number of disputes, bearing on the legality of its structures and rules, which are likely to cast doubt on the very organisation of the European sports model; therefore calls on the Commission, the Member States and the football authorities to define, in close consultation, an appropriate legal framework in the light of the Independent European Sport Review 2006, so as to prevent further disputes and ensure that the Court of Justice does not determine the future of professiona ...[+++]l football in Europe; recommends that the framework take as its basis the recognition of the specific nature of sport and of the principles necessary to safeguard fairness and solidarity, and its educative function, and the implementation of harmonised rules guaranteeing healthy competition between European clubs and a level playing field; takes the view, however, that the approach to professional football should not be governed by legal and financial considerations alone; the social and educational dimensions are also important;