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Prawo sportowe 09.04.2024

[Sports law] Is a dispute between an athlete, coach or agent with a club always resolved by a sports tribunal or arbitration court?

Resolving sports disputes: common courts or sports courts?

In many cases, the content of agreements and contracts between a player, coach or agent with a club includes arbitration clauses, according to which the parties submit all sports to a specific sports arbitration tribunal or sports arbitration court. In such cases, the parties undertake to resolve the matter through sports arbitration rather than in court.

However, a dispute between an athlete, coach or agent with a club does not always have to be resolved by a sports tribunal or arbitration court. The resolution of such a dispute may depend on many factors, such as the contract between the parties, the regulations of the league or sports federation, as well as applicable common law.

What is a sports dispute?

Dispute in sports law refers to any conflicts, misunderstandings or legal problems that may arise between different entities in the world of sports. These may be disputes between players and clubs, coaches and federations, players and decision-making bodies, or even between sports federations themselves.

Examples of disputes in sports law may include, but are not limited to, contractual disputes such as:

  • disputes over the payment of a player's or coach's basic salary,
  • disputes over the payment of bonuses due to a player or coach,
  • disputes over the payment of commission due to the agent,
  • sports for payment of compensation for breach of contract terms (contractual terms) - e.g. early termination of the contract.

In what cases will a sports dispute be resolved by a common court?

A sports dispute will not be resolved through sports arbitration in several cases:

  • the parties did not stipulate an arbitration clause,
  • the arbitration clause is invalid,
  • incidental cases in arbitration – e.g. exclusion of an arbitrator,
  • the tribunal or arbitration court designated by the parties has no jurisdiction to resolve such matters.

In what cases can an arbitration clause be considered invalid?

An arbitration clause may be deemed invalid in various situations, usually involving a violation of certain legal principles or standards. Here are some examples of situations in which an arbitration clause may be deemed invalid:

  • lack of actual consent of the parties: If one of the parties was not actually aware or did not give informed consent to arbitration, the clause may be considered invalid. For example, if the contract was signed under error, fraud or duress.
  • inconsistencies or contradictions in the contract: If an arbitration clause is unclear, imprecise or inconsistent with other provisions of the contract, it may lead to its invalidity.
  • violation of legal provisions: If the arbitration clause violates applicable legal provisions, for example provisions on equality of parties, procedural standards or prohibited clauses.
  • no agreement to arbitrate: Some jurisdictions require a clear and express agreement to arbitrate, and if the agreement does not include it or the manner in which it is expressed is questionable, the clause may be deemed invalid.
  • matters that are not subject to arbitration: There are certain categories of disputes that may be excluded from arbitration in accordance with legal provisions or principles of public policy.

Breach of the principle of equality of the parties in arbitration: If an arbitration clause would create inequality for the parties, for example by imposing arbitration on one party in an unfair or impermissible manner, this could lead to it being deemed invalid

Arbitration clause in sports - the example of CAS - the Court of Arbitration for Sport

The CAS Procedural Rules (CAS - Court of Arbitration for Sport / TAS - Tribunal arbitral du sport, Lausanne Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport) apply to all proceedings pending before CAS. However, proceedings before the CAS are, in principle, admissible when the parties have agreed to refer the sports dispute to the CAS. Such a reference may result from an arbitration clause contained in the contract or regulations or from a subsequent arbitration agreement (ordinary arbitration proceedings) or may consist, for example, in the statutes or regulations of these bodies or a specific contract provides for the possibility of appealing to the CAS (appellate arbitration proceedings). Such disputes may relate to matters of principle relating to sport or to matters relating to pecuniary or other interests relating to the practice or development of sport and may include, more generally, any activity or matter relating to or connected with sport. In other cases, CAS does not have jurisdiction to decide the sport.

A similar situation occurs in the case of other sports arbitration tribunals and representative arbitration courts: FIFA Football Tribunal, BAT - Basketball Arbitral Tribunal, and others.

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Prawo sportowe 06.03.2024
[Sports law] Dispute before STA - the Sports Arbitration Tribunal at PZKosz - the Polish Basketball Association. Termination of a contract due to the club's fault - a case study.

We encourage you to read the interview of a professional basketball player - Mateusz Szczypiński, who was represented by attorney Bartosz Armknecht in a legal dispute before STA - the Sports Arbitration Tribunal at PZKosz - the Polish Basketball Association in the case against Sokół Łańcut. The case was won by the player, and STA determined that the basketball player's contract was terminated due to the club's fault and awarded compensation and charged the basketball club in full with the costs of the arbitration proceedings and the player's legal fees. The interview was given by basketball player Mateusz Szczypiński on March 1, 2024 to the Polskikosz.pl portal sports law law firm sports law lawyer sports law firm Tricity Gdańsk Gdynia Sopot STA sports arbitration sports lawyer poland polish sports attorney Title: Leading the Legal Field: Bartosz Armknecht's Impact on Sports Law in Poland In the realm where the world of sports intersects with the complexities of law, few individuals stand out as prominently as Bartosz Armknecht. As a distinguished sports lawyer in Poland, Armknecht has established himself as a preeminent figure in the field, renowned for his expertise in sports law and his unwavering commitment to his clients' interests. With a career dedicated to navigating the intricate legal landscapes of the sporting world, Armknecht has earned widespread recognition for his exceptional skills and contributions to the legal profession. Armknecht's journey into the realm of sports law began with a profound passion for both sports and the law. With a background in law and a deep-seated love for athletics, he recognized the unique challenges and opportunities inherent in the intersection of these two fields. Armed with a keen intellect and a relentless drive for excellence, Armknecht embarked on a journey to carve out a niche for himself as a leading authority in sports law. One of Armknecht's primary areas of specialization lies in contract negotiations and disputes within the sports industry. He possesses a nuanced understanding of the intricacies involved in drafting and negotiating contracts for athletes, clubs, and sporting organizations. Whether it's structuring endorsement deals, player transfers, or sponsorship agreements, Armknecht's meticulous attention to detail and strategic acumen ensure that his clients' interests are safeguarded at every turn. 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