The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) provides a platform for intergovernmental sports co-operation between the public authorities of its member states. It also encourages dialogue between public authorities, sports federations and NGOs. This contributes to better governance, with the aim of making sport more ethical, more inclusive and safer.

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Committee of Ministers adopts Recommendation on extreme martial arts and combat activities

The Committee of Ministers has adopted a Recommendation to its member States on extreme martial arts and combat activities. The new recommendation focuses on those aspects which can significantly help to prevent risks to the health of the practitioners, so that these activities are in keeping with the requirements of existing norms with regard to the values of sport, the prevention of doping and the manipulation of sports competitions, fair competition and the training of coaches and referees.

The main stakeholders who are asked to take action include governments’, (recognised) sports organisations, ad hoc bodies for the regulation of Extreme Martial Arts and Combat Activities, such as national platforms, authorities, working groups, as well as commercial organisations organising extreme martial arts and combat activities.

The recommendation sets the aims, calls for multi-stakeholder co-operation and invites EPAS to follow up and facilitate co-operation.

It is completed by Guidelines which outline the key areas covered by the recommendation and specify the role expected from the various stakeholders. It replaces Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation R(99)11 which was on the prohibition of free fighting contests such as cage fighting.

 Recommendation (CM/Rec(2021)3) and its Appendix (Guidelines)

 Explanatory Memorandum (CM(2021)30-addfinal)

Strasbourg, France 31 March 2021
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WHY WAS EPAS SET UP?

EPAS was set up in 2007 to give fresh momentum to international co-operation in sports policies; to address the current challenges facing sport; and to ensure that sport thrives and is governed to meet high standards (e.g. in the areas of integrity, good governance and fair play).

 

WHAT DOES EPAS DO?

  • Develops policies (e.g. on safe sport) and international standards, such as the ESC, and supports their implementation.
  • Facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogue by offering platforms for discussion and helps with capacitybuilding and the exchange of good practices.
  • Organises Conferences of Ministers responsible for Sport to discuss and decide on important sport-related issues.
  • Organises thematic conferences and seminars on various subjects concerning sport.
  • Publishes handbooks, guidelines and research papers on sport and sport policy making.

WHICH STANDARDS GUIDE EPAS’ WORK?

EPAS bases its work on Council of Europe sport standards such as the ESC, the Anti-Doping Convention, the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (Macolin Convention) and the Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (Saint-Denis Convention).

  Did you know? 

EPAS aims to promote the development of any sport whose benefits are wide-reaching. It develops policies and standards, monitors them and helps with capacity-building and the exchange of best practices.

Different recommendations initially prepared by EPAS have been adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Recommendations such as the European Sports Charter are regularly monitored via support and follow-up visits in member states. 

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