4 6 June 2006

News:

Four of the Italian football clubs who are under investigation for alleged breaches of the Italian Sports Code of Justice could lose their places in the Champions League and UEFA Cup next season, if the Federal Appeals Commission decides to deduct points from them.

World Sports Law Report is organising a one day Special Briefing entitled: Club, Country & Players on 21 September in London. This Briefing, which is being hosted by leading sports and media firm, Olswang, will bring together key participants, analysts and advisors to examine what lies behind the disputes that have divided club and country, what is their significance for sport, sports rights, sponsorship and the impact on the commercial future of sport.

The BBC Sport internet site attracted a unique audience of 1.585 million during the week beginning 19 June, a 58% share of the UK's weekly internet sports and gambling audience, according to figures from Nielsen//NetRatings.

Features:

Injuries to key players at the 2006 FIFA World Cup have prompted many clubs to consider legal action against FIFA for compensation. Michael Clark, a Partner with Hextalls Sport, considers what could happen if an injury to Wayne Rooney were to keep him out of the game for 9 months.

Clubs, player organisations, national associations and international federations are increasingly arguing over access to their key assets players. Sam Hollis, of athletes1 Legal, explains the legal framework that defines the relationship between the bodies involved and examines the current arguments.

While attention has been focused on the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games has taken a number of important steps. It has received International Olympic Committee approval for the Olympic Park masterplan, has unveiled a delivery partner shortlist and is continuing its recruitment programme. Dan Smith of Wragge & Co. outlines the different opinions on the progress made to date.

The Sunset Legislation is designed to protect the commercial rights of the ICC in connection with the Cricket World Cup 2007, which will be held in the West Indies. Prataal Raj, Brand Manager / Lawyer with the International Cricket Council, examines the impact it could have if passed by the nine nations in which matches will be played.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation recently ruled against a cyber squatter and transferred the domains fcbarcelona.net and fcbarcelona.org to FC Barcelona. Ian Blackshaw of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, explains how registered trademarks entitled FC Barcelona to take control of the domains.

A recent Advertising Standards Authority adjudication gave Red Circle Technologies permission to impose the text "I hate scousers" over an image of Gary Neville, despite the fact that the football player had not made that exact statement. While accusing the ASA of developing a sense of humour, James Hennigan of Hammonds points out that clubs, players and advertisers need to be careful that non-PC campaigns are not viewed as inflammatory.