{{Short description|Fencing governing body in Europe}} {{Infobox organization | name = European Fencing Confederation | image = European Fencing Confederation logo.png | map = | abbreviation = EFC | type = Sports organisation | membership = all national European fencing federations other than that of Russia, plus that of Israel | formation = {{Start date and years ago|df=y|1991}} | headquarters = Luxembourg | region_served = Europe | parent_organization = | leader_title = | leader_name = | main_organ = International Fencing Federation (FIE) | website = [http://www.eurofencing.info eurofencing.info] | language = English, French }} The '''European Fencing Confederation''' ('''EFC'''; {{langx|fr|Confédération européenne d'escrime}}, '''CEE''') is an international body created in 1991, charged with the promotion and development of fencing in Europe. It organises the European Fencing Championships annually at several levels: cadets (U17), junior (U20), under 23, seniors and veterans (more than 40 years old).
The Confederation comprises all national European fencing federations other than that of Russia, plus that of Israel, and is under the authority of International Fencing Federation (FIE).
==History and goals== It was founded on 26 October 1991 in Vienna, Austria, and is based in Luxembourg at the headquarters of the ''Luxembourg Fencing Federation''.
Its goals are: *promotion and development of fencing in Europe; *facilitate technical collaboration between the different federations; *co-ordination and improvement of the teaching of fencing in Europe; *representation of fencing to European authorities; *the organisation of the European Fencing Championships.
Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov was president of the European Fencing Confederation from 2005 to 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fie.org/en/centennial/hall-of-fame/usmanov-alisher-burkhanovich-rus-105-2796?idPage=5 |title=Hall of Fame: Usmanov, Alisher Burkhanovich |work=FIE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232726/http://www.fie.org/en/centennial/hall-of-fame/usmanov-alisher-burkhanovich-rus-105-2796?idPage=5 |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}</ref>
===Impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine=== In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) agreed with the EFC to ban Russian and Belarusian fencers, and reallocated competitions that were due to be held in Russia and Belarus.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121653/pozdnyakov-faces-efc-no-confidence-vote|title=EFC Executive Committee passes no-confidence vote in President Pozdnyakov|date=April 9, 2022|website=Inside the Games}}</ref>
In June 2022, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President, was removed from his position as European Fencing Confederation President at an Extraordinary Congress following a unanimous vote of no confidence in Pozdnyakov in March 2022, due to his xenophobic conduct in the wake of the invasion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123875/pozdnyakov-removed-efc-president|title=ROC leader Pozdnyakov deposed as President of European Fencing Confederation|date=May 31, 2022|website=Inside the Games}}</ref>
On 10 March 2023, the FIE became the first Olympic governing body to officially reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, in time for the start of the qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1134597/fie-russia-decision-return|title=FIE approves return of Russian and Belarusian fencers in time for start of Paris 2024 qualifying|author=Patrick Burke|website=Inside the Games|date=10 March 2023}}</ref> Protesting this decision, Denmark,<ref>{{cite web |title=Denmark cancels event over Russian, Belarusian participation |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/denmark-cancels-event-over-russian-belarusian-participation-2023-03-30/ |date=30 March 2023}}</ref> France,<ref>{{cite web |title=Fencing World Cup in France cancelled after governing body readmits Russians |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/fencing/fencing-world-cup-cancelled-1.6797853 |date=31 March 2023}}</ref> Germany,<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany cancels World Cup event after Russia, Belarus readmitted |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/17/sport/fencing-world-cup-canceled-russia-belarus-spt-intl/index.html |date=17 March 2023}}</ref> and Poland<ref>{{cite web |title=Fencing in turmoil after irked Poles cancel World Cup event |url=https://www.gulf-times.com/article/658857/sports/fencing-in-turmoil-after-irked-poles-cancel-world-cup-event |date=5 April 2023}}</ref> cancelled upcoming World Cup fencing events to prevent Russians and Belarusians from participating.
In April 2023, it was revealed that the European Fencing Confederation had sent a critical letter to the FIE, outlining their opposition to the FIE's plans to strip the countries, that had indicated they would not grant visas to Russians and Belarusians, of hosting rights and impose sanctions on them.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jensweinreich/status/1644987677626847232?s=46&t=jtNjdZ6HsfB6xfJ3b_ZTMA "This is the remarkable Easter message from the European Fencing Federation ..."], Twitter.</ref>
In June 2023, the federation banned all Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, and suspended the Russian Fencing Federation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1138280/european-fencing-confederation-rus-blr|title=European Fencing Confederation bans all Russian and Belarusian fencers|date=June 24, 2023|website=Inside the Games}}</ref>
==Organs== thumb|180px|František Janda, president of the EFC The organs of the EFC comprise: *the General Assembly—the supreme organ of the Confederation, composed of delegates appointed by the member federations; *the Executive Committee (COMEX)—composed of 10 members elected by the General Assembly, each from a different federation; *the President; *two Auditors.
==Commissions== The COMEX elects the members of nine commissions that deal with specialized areas: *Competition Commission; *Veterans Commission; *Promotion/Marketing Commission; *Referees Commission; *Training/Fencing Masters Commission; *SEMI Commission; *Athletes Commission; *Finance Commission; *Handicapped Commission.
==See also== *Fédération Internationale d'Escrime *European Fencing Championships
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.eurofencing.info/ ''European Fencing Confederation'' (EFC)], official site
{{National federations of the International Fencing Federation}} {{Sports governing bodies in Europe}}
Category:Fédération Internationale d'Escrime Category:Fencing organizations Category:International organisations based in Luxembourg City Fencing Category:1991 establishments in Europe Category:Sports organizations established in 1991