Asser International Sports Law Blog

Our International Sports Law Diary
The Asser International Sports Law Centre is part of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut

Revisiting FIFA’s Training Compensation and Solidarity Mechanism - Part. 5: Rethinking Redistribution in Football - By Rhys Lenarduzzi

Editor’s note: Rhys Lenarduzzi recently completed a Bachelor of Law (LL.B) and Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia. As a former professional athlete, then international sports agent and consultant, Rhys is interested in international sports law, policy and ethics. He is currently undertaking an internship at the T.M.C. Asser Institute with a focus on Transnational Sports Law.

 

As one may have gathered from the series thus far, the question that comes out of this endeavour for me, is whether redistribution in football would be better divorced from the transfer system?

In my introductory blog I point towards historical, cultural, and of course the legal explanations as to why redistribution was established, and why it might be held onto despite obvious flaws. In my second blog, I point out how the training compensation and solidarity mechanisms work in practice through an African case study, as well as the hindrance caused and the Eurocentricity of the regulations. The key take-away from my third blog on the non-application of training compensation in women’s football might be that training compensation should apply to both men’s and women’s football, or neither. The sweeping generalisation that men’s and women’s football are different as justification for the non-application to the women’s game is not palatable, given inter alia the difference between the richest and poorest clubs in men’s football. Nor is it palatable that the training compensation mechanism is justified in men’s football to incentivise training, yet not in women’s football.

In the fourth blog of this series, I raise concerns that the establishment of the Clearing House prolongs the arrival of a preferable alternative system. The feature of this final blog is to consider alternatives to the current systems. This endeavour is manifestly two-fold; firstly, are there alternatives? Secondly, are they better?  More...


Revisiting FIFA’s Training Compensation and Solidarity Mechanism - Part. 4: The New FIFA Clearing House – An improvement to FIFA’s training compensation and solidarity mechanisms? - By Rhys Lenarduzzi

Editor’s note: Rhys Lenarduzzi recently completed a Bachelor of Law (LL.B) and a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia. As a former professional athlete, then international sports agent and consultant, Rhys is interested in international sports law, policy and ethics. He is currently undertaking an internship at the T.M.C. Asser Institute with a focus on Transnational Sports Law.

In September 2018, the Football Stakeholders Committee endorsed the idea of a Clearing House that was subsequently approved in October of the same year by the FIFA Council. A tender process commenced in July 2019 for bidders to propose jurisdiction, operation and establishment. Whilst many questions go unanswered, it is clear that the Clearing House will be aimed at closing the significant gap between what is owed and what is actually paid, in respect to training compensation and solidarity payments. The Clearing House will have other functions, perhaps in regard to agents’ fees and other transfer related business, though those other operations are for another blog. It will hence act as an intermediary of sorts, receiving funds from a signing and therefore owing club (“new” club) and then moving that money on to training clubs. Whilst separate to FIFA, to what extent is unclear.

I have landed at the position of it being important to include a section in this blog series on the soon to commence Clearing House, given it appears to be FIFA’s (perhaps main) attempt to improve the training compensation and solidarity mechanisms. As will be expanded upon below, I fear it will create more issues than it will solve. Perhaps one should remain patient and optimistic until it is in operation, and one should be charitable in that there will undoubtedly be teething problems. However, it is of course not just the function of the Clearing House that is of interest, but also what moving forward with the project of the Clearing House represents and leaves unaddressed, namely, the issues I have identified in this blog series. More...

Revisiting FIFA’s Training Compensation and Solidarity Mechanism - Part. 3: The Curious Non-Application of Training Compensation to Women’s Football – By Rhys Lenarduzzi

Editor’s note: Rhys Lenarduzzi is a final semester Bachelor of Law (LL.B) and Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) student, at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia. As a former professional athlete, then international sports agent and consultant, Rhys is interested in international sports law, policy and ethics. He is currently undertaking an internship at the T.M.C. Asser Institute with a focus on Transnational Sports Law.

 

As recently as September 2020, questions were raised in the European Parliament on the non-application of training compensation to women’s football. Whilst this blog will predominantly consider potential inconsistencies in reasoning for and against training compensation in men’s and women’s football, the questions before the Commission were largely on the theme of disrespect and discrimination. Somewhat unfortunately, the questions raised were side-stepped, with Ms Gabriel (Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth) simply stating that: “The TFEU does not give the Commission the competence to interfere in the internal organisation of an independent international organisation such as FIFA.” This might be true in theory, though one might feel some degree of uneasiness if privy to the Commission’s role in the 2001 FIFA regulatory overhaul.

It is currently explicit in the regulations and the commentary, that in women’s football, signing clubs are not required to compensate training clubs for developing players, through the training compensation mechanism that exists in men’s football. Though it is a contentious comment and as will be expanded below, this may not have always been the case.

At Article 20 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), one will find that the principles of training compensation shall not apply to women’s football. Further, in FIFA’s recently released Women’s Football Administrator Handbook (the handbook), it states that disputes relating to training compensation are limited for the moment to male players only.[1]

Regulations on solidarity contributions on the other hand do apply to women’s football, but given transfer fees are not so common, the use of the mechanism is not either. As an indication of how uncommon the activation of the solidarity contribution mechanism in women’s football might be, FIFA reported in the handbook just four claims with the Players’ Status Department in 2016 (three claims involving the same player), and zero since.[2] That is in comparison to hundreds of claims made per season in men’s football, where signing and owing clubs had not fulfilled their obligation to pay the solidarity contribution.

Given the aforementioned, this blog will largely focus on training compensation and how it came to be the case that this mechanism, often presented as critical in the context of men’s football, does not apply in women’s football. To do so, I will first discuss the reasoning advanced in an unpublished CAS award, which one may reasonably suspect played a fundamental role in shaping the current exemption. I will then turn to FIFA’s timely response to the award and the adoption of its Circular No. 1603. Finally, I will point out the disconnect in FIFA’s decision to adopt two radically different approaches to the issue of training compensation in male and female professional football. More...


Revisiting FIFA’s Training Compensation and Solidarity Mechanism - Part. 2: The African Reality – By Rhys Lenarduzzi

Editor’s note: Rhys Lenarduzzi is a final semester Bachelor of Law (LL.B) and Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) student, at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia. As a former professional athlete, then international sports agent and consultant, Rhys is interested in international sports law, policy and ethics. He is currently undertaking an internship at the T.M.C. Asser Institute with a focus on Transnational Sports Law.


Having considered the history and justifications for the FIFA training compensation and solidarity mechanisms in my previous blog, I will now consider these systems in the African context. This appears to be a worthwhile undertaking given these global mechanisms were largely a result of European influence, so understanding their (extraterritorial) impact beyond the EU seems particularly important. Moreover, much has been written about the “muscle drain” affecting African football and the need for such drain to either be brought to a halt, or, more likely and perhaps more practical, to put in place an adequate system of redistribution to ensure the flourishing of African football that has essentially acted as a nursery for European football for at least a century. In the present blog, I intend to draw on my experiences as a football agent to expand on how FIFA’s redistributive mechanisms function in practice when an African player signs in Europe via one of the many kinds of entities that develop or purport to develop talent in Africa. I will throughout address the question of whether these mechanisms are effective in a general sense and more specifically in relation to their operation in Africa.More...



Revisiting FIFA’s Training Compensation and Solidarity Mechanism - Part.1: The historical, legal and political foundations - By Rhys Lenarduzzi

Editor’s note: Rhys Lenarduzzi is a final semester Bachelor of Law (LL.B) and Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) student, at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia. As a former professional athlete, then international sports agent and consultant, Rhys is interested in international sports law, policy and ethics. He is currently undertaking an internship at the T.M.C. Asser Institute with a focus on Transnational Sports Law.


In 2019, training compensation and solidarity contributions based on FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) amounted to US$ 75,5 million. This transfer of wealth from the clubs in the core of the football hierarchy to the clubs where the professional players originated is a peculiar arrangement unknown in other global industries. Beyond briefly pointing out or reminding the reader of how these systems work and the history behind them, this blog series aims to revisit the justifications for FIFA-imposed training compensation and the solidarity mechanism, assess their efficacy and effects through a case study of their operation in the African context, and finally analyse the potential impact of upcoming reforms of the FIFA RSTP in this context.

First, it is important to go back to the roots of this, arguably, strange practice. The current transfer system and the legal mechanisms constituting it were largely the result of a complex negotiation between European football’s main stakeholders and the European Commission dating back to 2001. The conclusion of these negotiations led to a new regulatory system enshrined in Article 20 and Annex 4 of the RSTP in the case of training compensation, and at Article 21 and Annex 5 in the case of the solidarity mechanism. Before paying some attention to the historical influences and how we arrived at these changes, as well as the justifications from the relevant bodies for their existence, let us briefly recall what training compensation and the solidarity mechanisms actually are. More...



The entitlement to Training Compensation of “previous” clubs under EU Competition Law. By Josep F. Vandellos Alamilla

Editor’s note: Josep F. Vandellos is an international sports lawyer associated to RH&C (Spain). He is also a member of the Editorial Board of the publication Football Legal and a guest lecturer in the ISDE-FC Barcelona Masters’ Degree in Sports Management and Legal Skills.


Article 6 of Annexe IV (Training compensation) of the FIFA-RSTP (Ed. 2016) contains the so-called “Special Provisions for the EU/EEA” applicable to players moving from one association to another inside the territory of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).
The provisions regarding training compensation result from the understanding reached between FIFA and UEFA with the European Union in March 2001[1], and subsequent modifications introduced in the FIFA-RSTP revised version of 2005 to ensure the compatibility of the transfer system with EU law.[2]
This blog will focus on the exception contained in article 6(3) Annexe IV of the FIFA-RSTP. According to this article, when “the former club” fails to offer a contract to the player, it loses its right to claim training compensation from the players’ new club, unless it can justify that it is entitled to such compensation. Instead, the right of “previous clubs” to training compensation is fully preserved irrespective of their behaviour with the player.[3] From a legal standpoint, such discrimination between the “former club” and the “previous clubs” raises some questions that I will try to address in this paper. More...



The CAS and Mutu - Episode 4 - Interpreting the FIFA Transfer Regulations with a little help from EU Law

On 21 January 2015, the Court of arbitration for sport (CAS) rendered its award in the latest avatar of the Mutu case, aka THE sports law case that keeps on giving (this decision might still be appealed to the Swiss Federal tribunal and a complaint by Mutu is still pending in front of the European Court of Human Right). The decision was finally published on the CAS website on Tuesday. Basically, the core question focuses on the interpretation of Article 14. 3 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players in its 2001 version. More precisely, whether, in case of a dismissal of a player (Mutu) due to a breach of the contract without just cause by the player, the new club (Juventus and/or Livorno) bears the duty to pay the compensation due by the player to his former club (Chelsea). Despite winning maybe the most high profile case in the history of the CAS, Chelsea has been desperately hunting for its money since the rendering of the award (as far as the US), but it is a daunting task. Thus, the English football club had the idea to turn against Mutu’s first employers after his dismissal in 2005, Juventus and Livorno, with success in front of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC), but as we will see the CAS decided otherwise[1]. More...

SV Wilhelmshaven: a Rebel with a cause! Challenging the compatibility of FIFA’s training compensation system with EU law

Due to the legitimate excitement over the recent Pechstein ruling, many have overlooked a previous German decision rendered in the Wilhelmshaven SV case (the German press did report on the decision here and here). The few academic commentaries (see here and here) focused on the fact that the German Court had not recognized the res judicata effect of a CAS award. Thus, it placed Germany at the spearhead of a mounting rebellion against the legitimacy of the CAS and the validity of its awards. None of the commentators weighed in on the substance of the decision, however. Contrary to the Court in Pechstein, the judges decided to evaluate the compatibility of the FIFA rules on training compensations with the EU free movement rights. To properly report on the decision and assess the threat it may constitute for the FIFA training compensation system, we will first summarize the facts of the case (I), briefly explicate the mode of functioning of the FIFA training compensation system (II), and finally reconstruct the reasoning of the Court on the compatibility of the FIFA rules with EU law (III).More...

Asser International Sports Law Blog | The International Sports Law Digest – Issue II – July-December 2014

Asser International Sports Law Blog

Our International Sports Law Diary
The Asser International Sports Law Centre is part of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut

The International Sports Law Digest – Issue II – July-December 2014

I. Literature


1. Antitrust/Competition Law and Sport

G Basnier, ‘Sports and competition law: the case of the salary cap in New Zealand rugby union’, (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.155

R Craven, ‘Football and State aid: too important to fail?’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.205

R Craven, ‘State Aid and Sports Stadiums: EU Sports Policy or Deference to Professional Football (2014) 35 European Competition Law Review Issue 9, 453


2. Intellectual Property Rights in Sports law / Betting rights/ Spectators’ rights/ Sponsorship Agreements

Books

W T Champion and K DWillis, Intellectual property law in the sports and entertainment industries (Santa Barbara, California; Denver, Colorado; Oxford, England: Praeger 2014)

J-M Marmayou and F Rizzo, Les contrats de sponsoring sportif (Lextenso éditions 2014) 


Articles

M Bambaci, ‘Algunas consideraciones sobre la inclusión de la liga Argentina de fútbol en los videojuegos. A propósito de la aparición de jugadores aficionados y la explotación comercial de su imagen’ (2014) Revista de Derecho del Deporte Número 8

A L Dias Pereira, ‘Media rights and online betting in football matches under Portuguese law’ (2014)14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.167

M M García Caba, ‘A propósito de la reciente jurisprudencia comunitaria sobre los derechos audiovisuales futbolísticos: ¿hacia una reinterpretación del interés general del fútbol Español?’ (2014), 511

D A Heitner and AWilmot, ‘Score a Touchdown, Kiss Your Tattoo, and Get Sued for Copyright Infringement?’ (2014) 21 Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal Issue 2, 299

S N Horner, ‘DMCA: Professional Sports Leagues' Answer to Protecting Their Broadcasting Rights Against Illegal Streaming’ (2014) 24 Marquette Sports Law Review Issue 2, 435

A Lelyukhin, ‘The European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirmed Member States’ discretion to determine free to view sporting events. Note on Case T-385/07, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) v European Commission, Judgement of General Court (Seventh Chamber), 17 February 2011’ (2014) 6 Sport& EU Review Issue 2, 14 (Upcoming)

J T Wendt and P C Young, ‘Protecting spectator rights: reflections on the General Law of the Cup’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.179


 3. Labour Law and Sport/Free movement law in Sport/Players’ Agents 

Books-Bulletins

M Colucci and F Hendrickx, ‘Regulating employment relationships in professional football’, Michele Colucci and Frank Hendrickx (eds.) European Sports Law and Policy Bulletin Issue 1-2014

S Weatherill, European sports law: collected papers (The Hague, The Netherlands: T.M.C. Asser Press 2014) 


Articles

A Brandt and others ‘An Inside Look at the World of Agents: Past Present, and Future: Panels 1 & 3’ (2014) 21 Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal Issue 2, 259

C Daugherty Rasnic and R Resch, ‘Missing the puck at the bargaining table: the 2012–2013 National Hockey League labor dispute with some comparisons to European law’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.192 

S Davidson and M Štefko, ‘Institutionalised Exploitation of U.S. College Basketball and Football Players: A Case for Protection of Employees’ Rights’ (2014) (Forthcoming)

P Disseldorp, ‘De jeugd heeft de toekomst? Over de houdbaarheid van UEFA’s home grown player rule naar Europees recht’ (2014) Tijdschrift voor Sport & Recht (TvS&R) Issue 2

T Martin, ‘The case against strengthening the home grown player rule’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 51


4. Corruption in Sport 

E Barak and D Koolaard, ‘Match-fixing. The aftermath of Pobeda – what have the past four years brought us?’ (2014) TAS/CAS Bulletin 1/2014, 5

L Colantuoni, ‘Match-fixing in international sports: recent issues and TAS/CAS cases’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

A Di Giandomenico, ‘Toward a European regulation on sports fraud? Legal criticalities’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

M Kudzai Chiweshe, ‘The problem with African football: Corruption and the (under development of the game on the continent’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 27

C Ordway, ‘Why this Australian supported Germany to win the World Cup’ (2014) 6 Sport& EU Review Issue 2, 6 (Upcoming)

J Tsabora, ‘Cleansing the game: mapping and tackling state-induced corruption trends in African football’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 13  


5. Doping

N Ayanda Majozi, ‘Doping, are there only a few good apples in the barrel?’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 41

A Duval, ‘Cocaine, doping and the court of arbitration for sport’ (December 2014) The International Sports Law Journal (available online)

A Nemes, ‘What did the Lance Armstrong case teach to the world’s doping controllers?’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

A Olmeda and J  Rodriguez García, ‘El código mundial antidopaje 2015’ (2014) Revista Aranzadi de derecho de deporte y entretenimiento, 289

E de La Rochefoucauld, ‘WADA Code Review Summary’ (2014) TAS/CAS Bulletin 1/2014, 36

J Viejo, ‘El caso de Marta Domínguez: el pasaporte biológico’ (2014) Revista Aranzadi de derecho de deporte y entretenimiento, 247

J T Wendt, ‘Toward harmonization in anti-doping regulation in equestrian sport’ (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

E Atienza-Macias, ‘Doping and health protection: A review of the current situation in the Spanish legislation’ (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4


6. Human Rights in Sport

F Faut, ‘The prohibition of political statements by athletes and its consistency with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights: speech is silver, silence is gold?’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p. 253

T Galaz, ‘Bargaining for the Next Gay Player: How Can Jason Collins Help to Develop the National Basketball Association into a More Inclusive Workplace?’ (2014) 21 Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal Issue 2, 461

J Liljeblad, ‘Foucault, justice, and athletes with prosthetics: the 2008 CAS Arbitration Report on Oscar Pistorius’ (December 2014)

M Noland and K Stahler, ‘What Goes into a Medal: Women's Inclusion and Success at the Olympic Games’ (2014) (Forthcoming)

O A Shevchenko, ‘Role of human rights and decent work in sports’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4 


7. Sports Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

I Blackshaw, ‘Settling Sports Disputes by CAS Mediation’ (2014) TAS/CAS Bulletin 1/2014, 25

L Beffa and O Ducrey, ‘Review of the 2012 Case Law of the Swiss Federal Tribunal Concerning Sports Arbitration’ (2014) Causa Sport : die Sport-Zeitschrift für nationales und internationales Recht sowie für Wirtschaft Issue 1, 3

L Beffa and O Ducrey, ‘Review of the 2013 Case Law of the Swiss Federal Tribunal Concerning Sports Arbitration’ (2014) Causa Sport : die Sport-Zeitschrift für nationales und internationales Recht sowie für Wirtschaft Issue 3, 212

M Duthie, ‘Experience of a sports lawyer in mediation’ (2014) TAS/CAS Bulletin 1/2014, 31

M Grabowski, ‘Both Sides Win: Why Using Mediation Would Improve Pro Sports’ (2014) 5 The Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law (JSEL) Number 2, 190

D Mavromati, ‘The Panel’s right to exclude evidence based on Article R57 para. 3 CAS Code: a limit to CAS’ full power of review?’ (2014) TAS/CAS Bulletin 1/2014, 48

G von Segesser, Schellenberg Wittmer, ‘Admitting illegally obtained evidence in CAS proceedings – Swiss Federal Supreme Court Shows Match-Fixing the Red Card’  Kluwer Arbitration Blog (17 October 2014) 


Book Reviews

A Duval, ‘The “Swiss Army Knife” of CAS arbitration’ (November 2014) The International Sports Law Journal (available online)


8. Lex Sportiva/ Sports Governance

B Barquero, ‘Fundamentos a favor de una postura amplia en torno a la operatividad del fuero de atracción en la Ley de Salvataje de Entidades Deportivas en Crisis’ (2014) Revista de Derecho del Deporte Número 8

A Brand, ‘Changes and Challenges of Sports Policy in Europe – Sport & EU Conference Report’ (2014) 6 Sport& EU Review Issue 2, 28 (Upcoming)

M E Boyd, ‘Riding the Bench – A Look at Sports Metaphors in Judicial Opinions’(2014) 5 The Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law (JSEL) Number 2, 245

S Boyes, ‘Sports Law: Its History and Growth and the Development of Key Sources’ (2013) 21 Sport & Law Journal Issue 3

J de Dios Crespo and S Santorcuato, ‘The union of European football associations (“UEFA”) financial fair play’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 56

C Pérez González, ‘Crónica sobre cuestiones relativas al derecho internacional y de la Unión Europea del deporte.’ (2014) Revista Aranzadi de derecho de deporte y entretenimiento, 549

N Grow, ‘Regulating Professional Sports Leagues’ (2015) 72 Washington and Lee Law Review (Forthcoming)

V Kapogianni, ‘The cornerstone of the frontierless sports law’ (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

T Meakin, ‘The evolving legal issues on Rugby Neuro-trauma’ (2013) 21 Sport & Law Journal Issue 3

D P Panagiotopoulos, ‘General principles of law in international sports activities and lex sportiva’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

I V Ponkin and A I Ponkina, ‘On correlation of lex sportiva and sports law’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

A A Solovyev, ‘The sports laws systematization models’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

K Vieweg, ‘Lex sportiva and the fairness principle’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

H Xiang, ‘Reflections on several basic issues of sports law concepts’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4


9. Domestic Sports Law Issues

Articles

J Anderson, ‘Village greens, commons land and the emergence of sports law in the UK’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p. 218

F Colin, ‘La confirmation de l’intérêt généralement limité de l’exercice du recours en rectification d’erreur matérielle devant le Conseil d’État, appliqué en droit du sport Note sous CE, 5 mars 2014’ (2014) 36 CDS, 64

F Dousset and Elodie Brunner, ‘La rémunération accessoire : un élément d’appréciation du contrat de travail ? Note sous CA Toulouse, ch. soc. 4, sect.1, 15 mai 2014’ (2014) 36 CDS, 89

N Grossman, ‘What is the NBA?’ (2015)  25 Marquette Sports Law Review, Marquette Law School Legal Studies Paper No. 14-27 (Forthcoming)

M M Heekin and B W Burton, ‘Bias in the College Football Playoff Selection Process: If the Devil is in the Details, That's Where Salvation May Be Found’ (2014) 24 Marquette Sports Law Review Issue 2, 335

C Hinson, ‘Assessing the Scope of State University Sovereign Immunity: A Commentary on the Vexing Dispute over UCF Athletics Association, Inc.’ (2014) 24 Marquette Sports Law Review Issue 2, 419

J T Holden, ‘North American sports leagues and gambling policy: a comparative analysis’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p. 242

Mgr. M Kralik, ‘Civil liability of sports participants in the Czech Republic’ (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

S Martin, ‘La limite des pouvoirs disciplinaires d’une fédération sportive Note sous CE, 28 avril 2014’ (2014) 36 CDS, 165

K C Omuojine, ‘Dispute Resolution in Nigerian football: the need for a national dispute resolution chamber’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 20 

N Partington, ‘Legal liability of coaches: a UK perspective’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.232

G Rabu, ‘L’impact de la loi relative à la consommation dans le sport’(2014) 36 CDS, 15

G Rabu, ‘L’illicéité de l’interdiction conventionnelle du recours au contrat à durée indéterminée Note sous Cass. soc., 2 avril 2014’ (2014) 36 CDS, 95

G Rabu, ‘La négociation des contrats de cession de droits TV soumise au droit des pratiques restrictives de concurrence Note sous Cass. com., 20 mai 2014’ (2014) 36 CDS, 183

F Razano, ‘Keeping Sport out of the courts: the national soccer league dispute resolution chamber- a model for sports dispute resolution in South Africa and Africa’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 2

F Razano and F Majani, ‘Club licensing in African football- are we there yet?’ (2014) African Sports Law and Business Bulletin Issue 2/2014, 34

L Richard, ‘La disposition qui soumet le joueur à des indemnités de rupture prohibitives est contraire à la Constitution belge Note sous Cour du travail d’Anvers, 6 mai 2014’ (2014) 36 CDS, 102

J Wolohan, ‘Sports betting in the United States: Past, Present and Future’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

W Xiaoping, ‘The consideration of revision of Chinese sports law a tentative analysis on proposals to legislation of professional sport’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4

R Yavner, ‘Minor League Baseball and the Competitive Balance: Examining the Effects of Baseball’s Antitrust Exemption’ (2014) 5 The Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law (JSEL) Number 2, 266

 T Yong, ‘The concept of sports law in China’ Papers from 19th IASL Congress, Bali 2013 (2014) 10 International Sports Law Review (ISLR), Pandektis Issues 3-4  


10. Olympic Games

V Postlethwaite, ‘Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the controversy of the Russian Propaganda Laws: is the IOC buckling under the pressure of its own incoherence in thought?’ (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p. 264


Book Reviews

K L Jones, ‘Adam Lewis QC and Jonathan Taylor: Sports: Law and Practice (2014) 14 The International Sports Law Journal 3-4, p.275 



II. Recent Developments in European Sports Law 


A. EU Press Releases

New milestone in the fight against match-fixing (Brussels 18 September 2014) 

Taxation: Commission refers The Netherlands to the Court over VAT exemption for water sport activities (Brussels 25 September 2014)

Studies on betting-related match-fixing now available (Brussels 17  September 2014) : 1)EAC/16/2013 Study on risk assessment and management and prevention of conflicts of interest in the prevention and fight against betting-related match fixing in the EU 28 (T.M.C. Asser Instituut / Asser International Sports Law Centre, July 2014) and 2) Study on the sharing of information and reporting of suspicious sports betting activity in the EU 28 (Oxford Research and VU Amsterdam) 


B. Council of Europe Conventions

Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (adopted on 9 July 2014 and opened for signatures on 18 September 2014)


C. EU Commission Decisions

C (2014)7378, Commission decision adopting the arrangement for cooperation between the European Commission and UEFA (Brussels 14 October 2014) http://ec.europa.eu/sport/news/2014/docs/uefa2014_en.pdf


D. UN Resolution

Resolution A/69/L.5 of 16 October 2014 on Sport for Development and Peace http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/69/l.5.



III. Case Law


1. TAS/CAS

CAS 2014/A/3630 Dirk de Ridder v. International Sailing Federation (ISAF)

CAS 2014/A/3665/3666/3667 Luis Suarez / FC Barcelona / Uruguayan Football Association / FIFA 

CAS 2014/A/3518 Zamalek Sporting Club v. Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club

CAS AG 14/03 Tai Cheau Xuen v. Olympic Council of Asia

CAS 2014/A/3516 George Yerolimpos v. World Karate Federation

CAS AG 14/02 Pg Mohammed Nasir Pg Anak Jaafar v. Brunei Darussaalam National Olympic Council

CAS AG 14/01 Rahul Kumar & Saket Wali v. ASF & OCA & WSF

CAS 2014/A/3694 Roman Kreuziger v. UCI

CAS 2013/A/3417 FC Metz v. NK Nafta Lendava

CAS 2013/A/3389 Virach Chanpanich v. The Football Association of Thailand

TAS 2014/A/3475 Charline Van Snick c. Fédération Internationale de Judo (FIJ) (Doping)

CAS 2013/A/3062 Kevin Sammut v. UEFA


2. FIFA Dispute Resolution System 

Labour Disputes

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club K, from country A v. Player Q, from country P (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club S, from country A v. Player P, from country A and Club B, from country T (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player D, from country R v. Club X, from country T and Club Y, from country T as intervening party (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player P, from country X v. Club Y, from country S (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player W, from country T v. Club A, from country U (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player R, from country E v. Club C, from country M and Club W, from country G as intervening party (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player R, from country B v. Club A, from country R (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player R, from country T v. Club A, from country L (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player G, from country N v. Club I, from country E (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player B, from country G v. Club F, from country C (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player B, from country H v. Club Z, from country I (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player J, from country U v. Club S, from country E and Club Y (20 August 2014) (in Spanish)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player M, from country A v. Club L, from country G and Club T, from country A as intervening party (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player M, from country I v. Club P, from country R (28 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player D, from country N v. Club S, from country H (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player K, from country G v. Club K, from country T (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player D, from country N v. Club S, from country H (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player K, from country G v. Club K, from country T (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player B, from country C v. Club K, from country T (28 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player F, from country A v. Club O, from country C and Club L, from country S as intervening party (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player M, from country A v. Club X, from country X (20 August 2014) (in Spanish)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player E, from country P v. Club A, from country C (27 August 2014) (in Spanish)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Player S, from country C v. Club O, from country C (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Player I, from country M v. Club A, from country K (20 August 2014) 


Disputes about the Training Compensation

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club L, from country P v. Club T, from country S regarding training compensation in connection with the player M (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club V, from country N v. Club M, from country T regarding training compensation in connection with the player O (30 July 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Club X, from country U v. Club A, from country A regarding training compensation in connection with the player O (20 August 2014) (in Spanish)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club A, from country A v. Club X, from country M regarding training compensation in connection with the player B (28 August 2014) (in Spanish) 


Solidarity Contribution Disputes

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Club S, from country B v. Club G, from country I regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player C (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club A, from country B v. Club D, from country U and Club G, from country B as intervening party regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player D (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber, Club J, from country B v. Club D, from country U and Club V, from country B as intervening party regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player O (20 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Club W, from country G v. Club K, from country T regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player Y (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Club E, from country G v. Club K, from country T regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player Y (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Club S, from country G v. Club K, from country T regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player Y (27 August 2014)

Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber Judge, Club B, from country G v. Club K, from country T regarding solidarity contribution in connection with the transfer of the player Y(27 August 2014) 


3. National Courts Decisions

Swiss Federal Tribunal Decision 4A_324/2014, Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü v Union des Associations Européennes de Football (UEFA) (16 October 2014)

United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, NCAA Student-Athlete name & likeness litigation (No 10-15387)


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