Newsletter Sport Law – July 2023
Discover the latest news commented by our lawyers and legal experts in the Sports Law department.
NEWS
As a member of the international Meritas network, Neil Robertson, head of Bignon Lebray’s Sports law department, co-chairs the Meritas Sports Law Group with Alexander Engelhard from the German firm in the network. The Group offers global coverage to clients in the sports sector.This international group was created in June 2023 to offer global coverage to all our clients in the sector.
ARTICLES
Kylian Mbappé and PSG at loggerheads
Kylian Mbappé wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain for free next summer, but his club are not keen. The club is trying to resolve the situation before the end of the summer transfer window, despite the lack of legal arguments in its favour.
Football – The trend towards multi-ownership of clubs continues
Racing Club de Strasbourg has been acquired by BlueCo, a consortium of American investors. The agreement provides for sustained investment in the club’s growth, particularly in the men’s and women’s teams and the training centre.
Football: Annecy’s slalom to try to avoid relegation
During the FC Girondins de Bordeaux – Rodez Aveyron Football match in June 2023, the intrusion of a Bordeaux supporter who assaulted a Rodez player led to the match being interrupted.
Goal against the Stade de France Consortium: The company’s claim for compensation is dismissed
During Euro 2016, the Stade de France was mobilised for the event, resulting in the stadium being unavailable during the competition. Consortium Stade de France, the company responsible for managing the operation of the stadium, suffered a significant financial loss as a result of this mobilisation and has claimed damages from the State.
Criminal convictions for French international, Mohamed Haouas
International rugby player Mohamed Haouas was sentenced to two prison terms for separate offences, which had sporting repercussions as the player was dropped from the French national team and his contract with ASM Clermont-Auvergne was terminated.
French Rugby Federation: A look back at the election of the new president and its political consequences
Florian Grill has been elected President of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) in June 2023, succeeding Bernard Laporte. Faced with the federation’s economic and structural problems, the success of the new president’s term of office will depend on his ability to secure the cooperation of the members of the management committee.
The future of golf is uncertain despite the proposed merger betweenthe PGA Tour and the LIV
Conclusion of a brief legal battle, the announced merger between the PGA Tour and the LIV has many consequences for professional golfers. In this respect, the financial consequences will be the subject of the main debates during the merger negotiations.
Hyperandrogenism: New episode in Caster Semenya’s legal battle against the IAAF
Caster Semenya is a hyperandrogenic South African athlete with high testosterone levels. Faced with the regulations in force requiring her to undergo treatment, she launched a legal battle, which has taken a new twist following a favourable ruling by the ECHR.
The highest French administrative court (“Conseil d’État”) blows the whistle: a ruling in favour of neutrality in sport
The French Football Federation’s (FFF) regulations banning the wearing of the hijab in competition have been validated by the Conseil d’État. This decision was taken in favour of neutrality in sport, while rejecting the opinion of the public rapporteur in favour of censoring this provision.
David Lappartient elected new President of the CNOSF
After a year and a half of tension at the heart of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), the election of David Lappartient will have the major challenge of bringing people together and ensuring the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Corruption allegations regarding the organisation of 2024 Paris Olympic Games
After the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games, it is now the turn of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be the subject of judicial enquiries into suspected illegal taking of interests, misappropriation of public funds, favouritism and concealment of favouritism.
It’s just not cricket – Racism in English sport
After two years of investigations by an independent committee into cricket, its findings reveal structural racism within the sport. It is clear that this finding extends to all professional sports in England.
