4 4 April 2006

News:

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the G-14, a group of 18 elite European football clubs, show no sign of negotiating as they await the ruling of the Charleroi Commercial Court in Belgium on 15 May on the disputed issue of player release for international duty.

Adidas is seeking an injunction, in the High Court of Justice in London, to overturn the International Tennis Federation (ITF) decision to ban the use of adidas' 'three-stripe' design from 26 June after the ITF became the first international sporting federation to follow the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in issuing a ban.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the UK Government have launched initiatives designed to tackle sports betting cheats, ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, which takes place in June.

Features:

On 15 May, a Belgian Court will rule on Royal Charleroi's case requesting compensation from FIFA for an injury Abdelmajid Oulmers sustained whilst on international duty, a case which attracted support from the G14 group of clubs. Heinz Tännler, director of FIFA's Legal Division, highlights how FIFA's regulations uphold financial solidarity in football and explains why FIFA believes that the G-14 does not have a case.

Royal Charleroi's player compensation case has attracted the backing of the G-14 group of European clubs. Jean-Louis Dupont, the G-14's in-house counsel, highlights why the group believes that FIFA's regulations violate EC law.

In the case between Paul Stretford and the Football Association, it was found that the FA's Rule K arbitration agreement has shielded the FA and its disciplinary procedures from judicial scrutiny. Stephen Sampson, a solicitor at Hammonds, examines the case and the implications this has for the giving of evidence in sporting disputes.

Media reports allege that the recent breakdown in talks between Manchester United and online gaming company, Mansion, over a world-breaking shirt sponsorship deal was due to ethical and public relations concerns expressed by United. However, this has not stopped Middlesbrough and Aston Villa from announcing deals with '888.com' and '32Red'. Kevin Plumb of Wragge & Co examines the issues surrounding such deals and argues why gaming companies, like alcohol companies before them, may soon enjoy proliferation in English football.

Recent endorsement deals signed by the world's top athletes, such as Tiger Woods and David Beckham, have highlighted the significant commercial value such deals have for sponsors. Jamie Singer of onside law compares the protections available for image rights in key foreign jurisdictions with those available in the UK, and the scope available for third parties to legitimately associate themselves with these rights.

Registering as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) offers local sporting clubs a number of financial incentives. Richard Baldwin, a tax consultant and individual member of the CCPR, explains how local sporting clubs can claim money back from the government to invest in grassroots development.