VAREUS – Values, Autonomy and Rule of Law in European Sport is a Jean Monnet Chair based at the University of Salento’s Department of Legal Sciences. Funded by the European Union through Erasmus+, it investigates the European dimension of sport through teaching, research, professional education and scientific outreach.
The Chair focuses on four core areas: the European dimension of sport under Article 165 TFEU; the principle of the specificity of sport; the relationship between European Union law and the transnational sporting legal order, or lex sportiva; and Olympic values. Its starting point is that sport’s specificity does not amount to a general exemption from EU law. Instead, it must be assessed in context, taking account of the objectives pursued and the principles of necessity and proportionality.
Particular attention is paid to athletes and their fundamental rights, including dignity, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, the neutrality of sport, the protection of minors, procedural fairness and effective judicial protection. Sporting autonomy and the rule of law are treated as principles to be reconciled within transparent, accountable governance that places athletes at its centre.
VAREUS uses a comparative and transnational approach to identify common challenges in European legal systems and develop shared criteria for assessing sports rules, participation requirements, governance models and protective measures. Cross-cutting issues include artificial intelligence, digital regulation, eSports, sporting integrity and sustainability.
Objectives
- Strengthen teaching and research in European sports law by bringing together Article 165 TFEU, sport’s specificity, lex sportiva, Olympic values and EU policies on rights, digital transformation and sustainability.
- Promote dialogue between universities and society, involving students, researchers, athletes, federations, clubs, sports associations, professionals, schools and public institutions.
- Produce knowledge and practical tools for sports governance, translating EU legal principles into applicable criteria, guidance, models and procedural safeguards.
- Disseminate European Union values through sport, particularly the rule of law, non-discrimination, inclusion, integrity and European citizenship.
- Make project findings accessible through teaching materials, open resources, seminars, workshops, roundtables, annual reports, academic publications and a final open-access edited volume.
Over three years, VAREUS plans 363 hours of teaching and training for university students, participants in the Football Sporting Director training course, secondary-school students and sports professionals. Activities include lectures, seminars, workshops and events open to institutions, sporting bodies and civil society.