Lunch & Learn "Rugby and competition law: recent cases and potential future issues"

The Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted by England from 18 September to 31 October 2015, has established itself as one of the world’s most important sporting events. Furthermore, the rugby union game has developed into a major sport in some EU Member States. With increasing economic interests at stake, the beginning of the story between rugby and competition law was just a question of time.

Recently, a series of interesting cases emerged in France, including the ongoing case before the French competition authority regarding the broadcasting rights of the French rugby 1st division championship (TOP 14) and the complaint filed by the rugby club of Toulon before the European Commission against the salary cap scheme and the home grown player rules put in place by the French professional rugby league. Other provisions governing rugby and some proposed regulatory reforms might potentially raise in the future competition law issues. This lunch and learn will present these recent cases and explore these potential future issues. 

Speaker: Grégory Basnier is a member of the Paris Bar (Avocat à la Cour). He provides legal advice and litigation assistance in a number of business law areas and in administrative law/regulatory issues, including in the sport sector. Grégory has previously worked for 7 years in US and French law firms and for 6 years at French electricity operator EDF, within the competition and European law team. In the latter position he has been involved in complex competition law cases before national and European competition authorities and jurisdictions. 

Time: 11.30 - 13.30 

Registration*: Please register at www.asser.nl/LunchLearn23September 

*Please review the online Registration Information & Conditions before registration