3 9 September 2005

News:

The role of UK disciplinary tribunals in sport has been strengthened by the decision of the Court of Appeal to overturn a High Court ruling that a National Greyhound Racing Club Stewards' Inquiry had been conducted in a manner which was procedurally unfair.

Europe's top clubs are suing FIFA over rules which oblige clubs to make their players available for national team duty.

FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, has decided to invalidate the Uzbekistan-Bahrain 2006 FIFA World Cup German Qualifier played on 3 September because of an error by the referee.

Features:

The Court of Appeal in London has given a clear signal that Sporting Tribunals should be allowed to get on with their job without judicial interference, as long as they abide with general requirement of fairness. Peter Morton, a partner at Kirkpatrick Lockhart Nicholson Graham, analyses the case and its implications.

Some level of violence is an integral part of many sports, from a diving tackle in rugby to an upper cut in boxing. Deciding at what point sporting aggression moves from good play, to a sporting offense and then to a criminal offense is controversial. Mathew Barnes a solicitor with George Davies examines the issues.

Italian Sports tribunals need a radical overhaul if they are to become accepted as the source of sports justice argues Quirino Mancini, a partner with Sinisi Ceschini Mancini.

The Football Federation Australia is aiming to breathe new life into Australian Soccer with the launch of the Hyundai A-League. Eugénie Buckley, FFA General Counsel, explains how the Player Contract System fits into the new approach.

The recent broadcasting deal between French Ligue 1 and pay television operator Canal Plus is one of the most lucrative in world football. Paul Rawnsley, a senior consultant at Deloitte analyses the implications of the deal and the opportunities it presents for French football

Growth in international yacht racing events presents increasing difficulties for race organisers in attracting participants and commercial partnerships. Robert Datnow, partner at Farrer & Co, looks at the legal challenges in successfully organising an event.