Sport
FEI Gives Go-ahead to Riders for Global Champions League Following Order by Belgian Competition Authority
***Decision underlines freedom of riders to compete***
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the equestrian sport's governing body, has publicly confirmed that riders have the freedom to compete in the new team-based Global Champions League (GCL) launching in 2016.
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) already ordered the FEI to communicate this formally and publicly by 31 August, as a consequence of its suspension of the FEI's so-called "exclusivity clause", allowing the launch of GCL in 2016.
Because the FEI failed to communicate in accordance with the decision of the BCA, the BCA ordered the FEI to do so, or face a penalty fine.
The publication of the information states that " ".
This text can now be found on the FEI website in the following sections http://www.fei.org/news (as a press release) and http://www.fei.org/fei/about-fei/fei-update/2015 (as a FEI update newsletter). This information is also required to be delivered to the national federations, the International Jumping Rider Club and the Alliance of Jumping Riders by email.
Building on the huge success of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), the GCL will see Olympic and World Champions in action every Friday at 15 sensational LGCT destinations around the world. Top riders have predicted the innovative new format will inject fresh excitement for fans and TV audiences worldwide as team competition creates new rivalries and tactical alliances.
The world's current two highest ranked riders, Scott Brash and Kent Farrington , have both spoken about how positive the development is for the sport and how the GCL will open a new era for show jumping.
World No 1 and 2012 Olympic gold medallist Scott Brash said: " .
" .
" ."
Leading US rider Kent Farrington , currently ranked No 2 in the world, said: "
."
Other leading riders also spoke of the positive impact of the new team competition.
Olympic silver medallist and European Champion Rolf-Göran Bengtsson said: " ."
Luciana Diniz , the new LGCT 2015 champion, also spoke of the positive effect on the sport: " ."
The GCL will see two riders from each team competing over two rounds, with scores based on penalties and time. The GCL has committed to adhering to the highest standards of horse welfare and integrity of competition, in keeping with the widely acknowledged equine care at all LGCT events. GCL has twice invited the FEI to perform anti-doping and medication controls at GCL events. So far, the FEI did not respond. Earlier Court decisions firmly rejected the FEI's claim that its exclusivity rule was the only way to protect horse welfare and integrity of competition.
In June this year GCL filed a complaint with the BCA, alleging the FEI breaches competition law rules by using its rules to prevent riders from competing in events not approved by the FEI by imposing a so-called "exclusivity clause". In its interim measures ruling, the BCA ordered the FEI to suspend its exclusivity clause with regard to the GCL pending the investigation into the GCL's complaint, thus allowing the GCL to go ahead in 2016.
The FEI challenged and requested the suspension of the interim measures. In October, the Court of Appeal in Brussels rejected the request and upheld the earlier decision by the BCA. The FEI claimed its credibility would be undermined if GCL went ahead but in its ruling the Court of Appeal rejected this and stated: " ."
Notes to editors:
Previous press releases relating to this case can be found here:
October 22, 2015 :
http://www.globalchampionstour.com/news/2015/1419/brussels-court-of-appeal-rules-in-favour-of-freedom-of-choice-for-riders-enabling-launch-of-global-champions-league-in-2016/
July 29, 2015 :
http://www.globalchampionstour.com/news/2015/1369/global-champions-league-confirmed-for-2016-launch-after-belgian-competition-authority-suspends-fei-exclusivity-clause/