Never had the sports movement mobilized so much to safeguard the budget allocated to the Ministry of Sports, now linked to that of youth and community life. Since January 16, and the government’s attempt to have an amendment voted in the Senate providing for a new drop of 34 million euros, the big names in sport, such as Teddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec or Léon Marchand make their voices heard.
Many stands have also been signed by sport players and federations leaders. But what about exactly the challenges of the joint joint committee this Thursday, January 30 for the world of sport?
A budget already amputated by 268 million euros compared to 2024
In the finance bill, the Attal government (Amélie Oudéa-Castera was then Minister of Sports) had planned to allocate 641 million euros in credits in sport, or 268 million euros less than in 2024 ( 909 million euros).
141 of these lost 268 million concern operations directly linked to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in particular credits assigned to Solido (the delivery company of Olympic works), the medal bonuses and the popular ticketing. The past games, these credits were not intended to last. Sport therefore really lost 127 million euros.
The equipment and the passing pass affected
The 127 million euros lost in the finance bill were argued in particular towards the equipment plan (100 million) and the Pass’sport (10 million). In continuation of the plan “5,000 sports fields” of 2022-2023, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron had announced the plan “generation 2024”, which provides for the construction or renovation of 5,000 new proximity equipment between 2024 and 2026.
A multi -year envelope of 300 million euros over three years was allocated. It is the 100 million planned for 2025 who disappear, Bercy having pointed out that given the deadlines between orders and payments, the credits planned for 2024 had not been spent. It is provided that once the finance law adopted, a postponement of credits allows the Ministry of Sports to recover the 100 million not consumed in 2024. In theory at least.
Another program affected by the drop in the budget, the Pass’sport which allows the most modest families to benefit from 50 euros to register their children in a sports club. Again, Bercy plays on unused credits: in 2024, 85 million euros had been argued on this device and 75 million were used. Hence the idea of placing “only” 75 million in 2025. The problem is that at the start of the 2024 school year, clubs experienced a massive influx of licensees, resulting in an increase in use of the Pass’Sport . An envelope of 85 million is therefore necessary. Unless you modify the allocation conditions for the next school year.
Abandon a new decrease
Two weeks ago, a few hours before the presentation of the sports budget in front of the Senate, the government proposed an amendment which provided for a new decline of 34 million (the amendment requested a drop of 123 million, but 89 million concerned youth and associative life). This is what triggered the unprecedented mobilization of the sporting movement, and in particular athletes.
The senators rejected the amendment as a whole and, like a nose foot, argued 80 million euros from the youth budget (it concerned the universal national service, SNU) to sports! The ministry does not wish to “oppose sport and youth”, these 80 million should leave for the SNU.
But the amendment will be at the heart of the debates of the joint joint committee, which can either follow the Senate – and therefore make a cross on the new amputation of 34 million – or follow the government. The Ministry of Sports should then deal with a new reduction in credits which will affect the development of practices for all but also the systems put in place for high -level athletes, spared so far.
Move taxes on sports betting
The other issue of the CMP is the movement of taxes on sports betting. It is the famous “Sport finances sport” has long demanded by the sports movement. Each year, sports betting report more than 200 million euros in state taxes (around 213). Only, a ceiling has been set up, allowing sport to recover “only” 100 million euros maximum, the rest being donated to the general budget.
It is on this ceiling that certain deputies and senators have been trying for several years. Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier was, it seems, sensitive to this request. Just before the censorship motion, the Senate had adopted this movement, allowing sport to recover 113 million euros.
Back to square one in front of the CMP. This is free to follow the will of the Senate (partly or in whole) and therefore to award several tens of millions of euros to sport. Or keep the ceiling at 100 million. In summary, with the CMP, sport can lose 34 million euros … or earn up to 113 million.
And after the CMP?
In the event of favorable arbitration this Thursday, no question for the sports movement to scream victory. The finance bill will continue its way and will have to return to Parliament. Until then, it will still be possible for the government to present amendments. Including the one who had made so many waves on January 16 …