Brexit and global sport power Europe

Although the EU represents one of the key markets in global sports entertainment, it seems that it has failed to use its structural power in a very efficient manner when it comes to shaping global sport policies. The Brexit is going to further weaken the EU’s structural power. Moreover, the fact that British governments have preferred a liberal approach to the regulation of sport seems likely to encourage more dirigiste approaches in EU sport regulation. The chapter explores these ideas by examining the potential impact of the Brexit in three policy domains, that is, good governance in sport, doping and match-fixing. The analyses indicate, however, that the Brexit is unlikely to have a major effect on the EU’s regulatory power in sport. The structural set up of EU sport policy and the policy inertia and path-dependency of the application of EU law and policy to sport greatly reduce the margin of actions for EU institutions. The regulatory impact of the EU is diluted by the diverging policy preferences of Member States, the ongoing dynamics that favour action within the Council of Europe and the complex network of stakeholders involved.