Spelets regler Europeisering genom interaktion mellan Europeiska unionen och klubbfotboll
Bosman caseEuropeanizationCotonou agreementEUFootballEuropeiseringBosmandomenCotonouavtaletFotbollPolitical and administrative sciencesStatsvetenskapFörvaltningskunskapLaw and Political Science
This thesis examines the interaction between European football and the European Union and if it can generate Europeanization. By using theories of Johan P Olsen and Claudo M Radaelli a theoretical framework was constructed in which Europeanization is seen as an interaction between the European level and the domestic level. The Europeanization is regarded as a two way process with elements of top-down and bottom-up pressures. The study focus on the changes and the actors in the Europeanization process and how the European Union as a top-level and European football as a bottom-level influence each other to European changes. The theoretical framework is used to analyze the Bosman case and the Cotonou agreement's implementation in a Swedish football context. The results of the study show that the Bosman case fundamentally changed European football and caused the EU to create a sport policy. The Cotonou agreement illustrated how the domestic actors strategically used the EU governance to create domestic changes in Swedish football. Through the theory of Europeanization as a two way process it was possible to see how the EU and European football clubs can use each other in their own interest and how this can result in deeper Europeanization on each level.