The legal status of disciplinary regulations in sport

Abstract

International and national sports organisations have created extensive regulatory frameworks to govern their activities. Associated athletes and clubs are required to comply with the rules set by these organisations. If they do not abide by the rules, a disciplinary sanction can be imposed. Regulating sports is, however, not an easy exercise. Due to the many different actors involved legal issues are numerous and complex. By its nature, sport is not a national affair. As the best athletes and clubs compete on an international level, when a disciplinary sanction is imposed, this can have effects on international competition. Therefore, this article will provide a comparative and transnational overview of the main legal framework in which national and international sports organisations operate according to Dutch, English, French, German and Swiss law. The article will provide an answer to the question whether a ‘level playing field’ exists in European organised sports with regard to the legal status of disciplinary regulations.