5.7.2008
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 171/16
Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid (Spain) lodged on 15 April 2008 — Real Sociedad de Fútbol SAD and Nihat Kahveci v Consejo Superior de Deportes and Real Federación Española de Fútbol
(Case C-152/08)
(2008/C 171/28)
Language of the case: Spanish
Referring court
Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid
Parties to the main proceedings
Applicants: Real Sociedad de Fútbol SAD and Nihat Kahveci
Defendants: Consejo Superior de Deportes and Real Federación Española de Fútbol
Question referred
Does Article 37 of the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement (1), signed in Ankara on 12 September 1963 and approved by Council Decision 64/732/EEC, and its Additional Protocol of 23 November 1970 (2), preclude a sporting federation from applying a rule to a professional sportsman of Turkish nationality, lawfully employed by a Spanish football club, as in the main proceedings, under which clubs may use only a limited number of players from non-member States not belonging to the European Economic Area in national competitions?
(1) Agreement establishing an Association between the European Economic Community and Turkey, signed on 12 September 1963 in Ankara, and concluded, approved and confirmed on behalf of the Community by Council Decision 64/732/EEC of 23 December 1963 (OJ 1964 217, p. 3685).
(2) Additional Protocol, signed on 23 November 1970 in Brussels and concluded, approved and confirmed on behalf of the Community by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2760/72 of 19 December 1972 (OJ L 293, p. 1).
Full & Egal Universal Law Academy