The Fédération Equestre Internationale has confirmed that riders may compete in the new team-based Global Champions League, set to launch in 2016.
The Belgian Competition Authority already ordered the FEI to communicate this formally and publicly by Aug. 31, 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 FEI did post the notice on its website on Nov. 27.
The FEI has been locking horns with the GCL, which runs the Longines Global Champions Tour, since this June, when the GCL filed a complaint with the BCA alleging that the FEI was breaching the European Union’s competition laws.
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The GCL will see two riders from each team competing over two rounds, with scored based on penalties and time.
In a press release on Dec. 3, the FEI reiterated their stance against the GCL, however. FEI President Ingmar De Vos confirmed that the FEI’s position on the Global Champions League remains unchanged and that the Federation will continue to fight the decision of the Belgian Competition Authority with all legal means. “The GCL is still an unsanctioned event which is not approved by the FEI and we are still seeking a full annulment of the decision”, Ingmar De Vos said.
“As the international governing body, we of course have to respect the decision of the Court and have complied with the BCA ruling to publish a statement declaring that, as an interim measure, athletes and horses competing in the GCL events will not be sanctioned. But I want to make it absolutely clear, these are only interim measures which we will continue to fight and that no decision has yet been taken on the merits of the case.
“Some people are trying to create confusion about this case and the position of the FEI, but let me be very clear, our position has not changed. We will fight to defend the principal of unsanctioned events and, once this rule is upheld, it will be applied immediately,” De Vos said.
