Who’s Running the Play? The Role of the European Union in Sports Regulations

Andrea Cattaneo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter explores the European Union's (EU) pivotal role in shaping the legal framework in which sport develops in the EU, emphasising its influential position despite lacking legislative authority before the 2009 Lisbon Treaty. It delves into how the EU's normative and market power, coupled with internal market rules, influenced sports, challenging governing bodies’ initial reluctance to external interference. Additionally, it demonstrates the EU institution's current approach in securing a level of regulatory autonomy for sports institutions, allowing reasonable restrictions on rights protected by internal market rules for legitimate objectives. Analysing EU Court of Justice case law and decision-making practices, the chapter reveals that this regulatory autonomy is conditional on adherence to principles of good governance and internal market rules.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook on Sports Law and Governance
PublisherRoutledge Taylor & Francis Group
Chapter3
Pages51-65
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781003458821
ISBN (Print) 9781032598970
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Apr 2025

Publication series

NameThe Routledge Handbook on Sports Law and Governance

Keywords

  • European Union (EU)
  • legal framework
  • sport
  • Sport development
  • 2009 Lisbon Treaty
  • normative and market power
  • market rules

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