As we enter the campaign period for the election of the next President of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) in 2024, there are rising concerns about the democratic integrity of the process. The CEV Board of Administration has established restrictive eligibility criteria for presidential hopefuls, sparking significant debate within the European volleyball community.
This new regulation, disclosed through an official document on the CEV website on June 21, requires candidates to have a minimum of four years of board experience in a national or international volleyball federation. In essence, the race is now limited to those deeply entrenched in the governing system of European volleyball.
In case of candidate to the position of CEV President, to have a broad experience in
CEV General Regulations Section 3 – Article 1.1 §4 g
Volleyball and leadership, including serving at least 4 years as board member in a National
or International Volleyball Federation,
This controversial development has triggered questions about the Board’s authority to alter regulations and effectively influence the selection of the next CEV President. Critics argue that these decisions bypass the democratic process, subverting the voice of national federations within the CEV General Assembly.
The CEV General Assembly, as the supreme authority of the Confederation, is composed of national federations representing each member country. Traditionally, they possess the right to participate in shaping the organization’s future and determining the criteria for presidential candidates. However, the latest decision has raised concerns about potential violations of these foundational principles.
Sebastian Swiderski, President of the Polish Volleyball Federation, recently added fuel to this ongoing discourse. In an open letter addressed to the CEV National Federations (The content of the letter was presented to WorldofVolley), Swiderski criticized the board’s decision and highlighted the ramifications of this potentially autocratic maneuver.
Swiderski emphasized that national federations should assert their rights, proposing to add a pivotal topic to the agenda of the forthcoming CEV General Assembly, scheduled for September 2, 2023, in Belgium. This topic: a revocation of the Board’s decision on eligibility criteria for the CEV presidency.
Swiderski’s motion could be a gamechanger, as it calls for checks on any further impositions on presidential candidacy. In effect, it requests the reestablishment of the principle that the authority to decide on potential CEV presidential candidates rests solely with the national federations within the General Assembly.
It’s undeniable that we are entering a critical period in the history of European volleyball. This brewing controversy could shape the future direction of the sport on the continent. If Swiderski’s stance is supported, it will confirm that the governance of the CEV adheres to the principles of good governance and democracy, not just in theory, but in practice. This could be a significant victory for democracy within the world of sport, ensuring that the collective voice of the European volleyball community is heard and respected.
In the run-up to the elections, all eyes will be on the CEV with the national federations as the main stakeholders. Will it uphold democratic principles, or will it succumb to administrative decisions that restrict the representation of its constituent members? The outcome of this saga will undoubtedly set a precedent for the future governance of the CEV, and indeed, international sports organizations worldwide.
