Abuse of dominant position vis-à-vis other sports organizations of equestrian events, including amateur ones, with particular reference to the Driving and Show Jumping specialties. For this reason, as well as for the non-compliance with the commitments made mandatory by the decree of June 2011, the Competition and Market Authority has decided to sanction the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), guilty of having violated the art. 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
In particular, supported the Antitrust in motivating a fine of 450.000 euros, FISE has put in place an abusive strategy aimed at limiting the scope of the organization of amateur equestrian competitions. Specifically, the Authority ascertained that the anti-competitive strategy was achieved through the adoption of new, more restrictive regulations, the sending of letters of formal notice - to clubs, EPS, associations and, in general, operators in the sector - aimed at prevent the carrying out of amateur events which the Federation claims are competitive in nature, and the failure to stipulate agreements with the EPS and other sports clubs and associations, with which to regulate the carrying out of amateur and/or competitive activities.
“In this way the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation – explains a statement from the Antitrust – has substantially restricted the possibility of carrying out the amateur activity, severely limiting the scope of operations of the other competitors and expanding its sphere of activity”. Failure to comply with the commitments, aimed at ensuring the performance of amateur equestrian activities, and the abuse ascertained against FISE's competitor organizations were considered serious violations of competition; therefore, the Authority imposed a fine of approximately 450.000 euros on the Federation. During the proceeding, the Authority made use of the assistance of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Guardia di Finanza
