Inhaltsübersicht – Zeitschrift für Sport und Recht – Heft 6/2024

Das Heft 6/2024 der SpuRt wird postalisch in der XXX. KW zugestellt und ist seit dem 06.11.2024 im Modul Sportrecht plus auf Beck-Online abrufbar.

Editorial

  • Risse im Fundament – wohin gehört Diarra auf der Bosman-Skala? (S. 433)

Abhandlungen

Die Folgen des Diarra-Urteils des EuGH für die verbandsrechtliche Sanktionierung vertragsbrüchiger Fußballprofis (P. S. Fischinger/F. Rybak, S. 434)

The article analyzes the implications of the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) Diarra ruling on the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), particularly regarding the sanctioning of football players who breach their contracts. The ECJ’s ruling has created uncertainty among sports organizations by challenging the legality of certain transfer system rules, suggesting they might be incompatible with EU law. It criticizes existing FIFA regulations, emphasizing that the balance between player mobility and contract stability is inadequately maintained, with suggested limitations on player registration and transfer compensations. The article foresees significant challenges for FIFA, especially if Association law sanctions against players and new clubs are restricted to specific timing, i. e., during ongoing competitions, which could risk the integrity of the current transfer system. The article suggests that FIFA might need to reformulate its rules to align with national employment laws and ensure compliance with EU principles, which may not suffice to cover existing legal voids. Potential regulatory adjustments, like maximizing compensation to the player’s remaining contractual salary or considering national laws for determining penalties, are discussed. The conclusion emphasizes the ruling’s potential impact, likening it to the Bosman ruling, and suggests a reevaluation of contractual and collective agreement strategies to maintain professional football’s current operational framework.

Aufsätze 

  • Die Reform des deutschen Schiedsrechts und ihre Auswirkungen auf den Sport (J. Heinze, S. 445)

The article examines the German government’s proposal to reform the German arbitration law, particularly focusing on its impact on organized sport and sports arbitration. This reform, aimed at modernizing the partly outdated 1998 rules, seeks to improve Germany’s alignment with global legislative trends and enhance its attraction as a hub for litigation and arbitration. A major reform aspect is the removal of the “in writing” requirement for arbitration agreements, except in cases involving consumers, sparking discussions among legal practitioners and scholars. The article notes the resistance to the proposed abolition of the “in writing” requirement due to potential disputes about the validity of arbitration agreements, while it detects the rather minor significance of this aspect to the practices of organized sport. It is revealed that the proposal also strengthens pre-arbitral court decisions on the existence and validity of arbitration agreements, which could significantly influence sports arbitration, especially regarding compliance with EU competition law. Additionally, the article raises criticisms of the reform, such as its failure to address existing challenges in sports arbitration, notbaly the requirements for public hearings as well as the structural independence and impartiality of arbitrators. While there is anticipation for the reform’s completion by spring 2025, opposition from the Bundesrat and critiques from experts suggest the legislative process remains uncertain.

  • Aktuelle rechtliche Entwicklungen bei Spielertransfers (M. Stopper/S. Karlin, S. 454)

The article provides an overview of recent legal developments in football player transfers, focusing on regulatory changes and court rulings, particularly concerning FIFA’s RSTP. It highlights record-breaking figures from the 2024 transfer season and examines FIFA’s measures against „bridge transfers“, as outlined in Article 5bis of the RSTP. This regulation aims to prevent circumvention of transfer provisions, with clubs found guilty facing sanctions unless they prove the transfers were sports-motivated. FIFA also introduced new rules limiting player loans to curb „Loan Armys,“ allowing clubs to only loan or take on loan a maximum of six players per season starting July 2024, aiming to balance player development needs. The article discusses a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling in the Diarra case, which found FIFA’s sanctions on players breaking contracts incompatible with EU law, arguing they restrict free movement and competition. The ECJ ruled compensation calculations should exclude the player’s new contract value and should comply with applicable national laws. Additionally, FIFA’s temporary rules for players affected by the Ukraine conflict, allowing them to suspend contracts and transfer without penalties, were upheld by CAS as reasonable and necessary. The article concludes that while the ECJ decision impacts sanctioning practices, contractual obligations remain, and compensation for breaches still applies, albeit with recalibrated calculations under national laws.

The article examines the legal implications of considering national soccer players as employees, focusing on both the association, such as the German Football Association (DFB), as their employer and the clubs that release their players for national duties. The primary findings indicate that the contracts between players and the association are typically fixed-term due to temporary need. As the written form requirement is not complied with, the contract would be indefinite if the players were to take legal action against it. Additionally, players could claim employment rights, including entitlement to participation in training sessions even if not selected for matches. The article also highlights compensation considerations, noting that players could claim equal pay rights under German law, which may conflict with the existing disparity in financial rewards between male and female national teams. The association compensating clubs financially for releasing players is acknowledged, with compensation frameworks set by FIFA or UEFA during tournaments. Consequently, associations should ensure contracts comply with legal formalities  to mitigate unwarranted financial liability, and female national players have a legitimate claim for equal pay consistent with their male counterparts under current legal standards.

  • Compliance im Amateursportverein (M. Wellerdick, S. 468)

The article discusses the importance of compliance in amateur sports clubs, examining the distinct legal and ethical responsibilities these clubs hold compared to professional sports organizations. Focused on Germany, where a vast majority of sports clubs are amateur, the article highlights the potential risks and liabilities amateur sports clubs face due to non-compliance with legal and organizational standards. The author identifies key areas of compliance risks in amateur sports, including sexualized violence, taxation, and data protection, and stresses the severity of penalties and reputational damage that clubs could face for violations. The article further examines specific and fundamental compliance measures clubs should implement, such as creating a compliance code, regular auditing, and training sessions to minimize these risks. It’s emphasized that such measures are essential not only to prevent legal repercussions but to uphold the positive role amateur sport plays in society by promoting values like fairness and teamwork. The article concludes that while amateur clubs primarily operate through volunteer work and have smaller budgets compared to professional entities, this does not excuse them from establishing effective compliance programs. This comprehensive overview serves as a crucial guide for amateur sports clubs in navigating their compliance obligations.

  • Interne Untersuchungen in Sportverbänden (C. Schmitz/C. Brosthaus, S. 473)

The article explores the challenges and the importance of internal investigations within sports associations. It highlights how misconduct, such as sexual abuse, corruption, and doping, can severely damage the reputation and trust within sports organizations. Although principles from corporate internal investigations can be partially applied to sports associations, specific nuances exist, necessitating tailored approaches for these entities. The article details the increasing need for mechanisms that proactively address misconduct, underscoring their growing importance amid evolving governance requirements and new legislation like the German Whistleblower Protection Act. The article emphasizes that internal investigations offer strategic benefits, such as gaining control over information and maintaining reputational integrity. However, it notes the unique challenges faced, including resource constraints, the maintenance of confidentiality and independence despite internal hierarchies. Trust-building is critical, especially in sensitive cases like sexual misconduct, where victims may fear breaches of confidentiality. Financial and personnel limitations are also noted as significant hurdles, necessitating external expertise. Furthermore, data protection complexities arise due to the multi-layered structure of sports associations. Finally, the article suggests implementing preventive measures in organizational statutes to streamline data handling and investigation processes, advocating that thorough internal investigations enhance integrity and trust within the association while allowing them to refocus on their primary mission: sport.

  • It’s the rule not the referee! – Nicht gut aber besser? (L. Dittrich, S. 479)

The article examines how to address contentious handball offenses in professional soccer, specifically in penalty areas. Using a specific match scenario where a handball was claimed but not sanctioned, it highlights the complex nature of the handball rule. The article explores the history of the handball rule and the frequent changes it has undergone, concluding that merely adjusting the rule’s wording may not resolve disputes. It suggests that the handball rule aims not only to prevent control advantages from hand contact but also to avert unjust advantages. The mandatory penalty kick following a handball in the penalty area is critically examined, noting its high impact on match outcomes. The article suggests potential reforms, including flexible penalties based on handball severity, mandatory VAR reviews for decision significance, and the consideration of what might have happened without the handball. Technological aids to ensure consistent referee decisions are discussed, such as measuring reaction times to assess handballs. Overall, the article advocates for procedural reforms aiming for gamewide acceptance and consistency in the contentious application of the handball rule.

Rechtsprechung

Kurzübersicht (S. 484)

Internationales

  • EuGH: Zur Anfechtung staatlicher Beihilfen an einen Fußballklub durch Fans (S. 484)
  • EuGH: EU-Rechtswidrigkeit von Bestimmungen des FIFA-RSTS („Diarra“) (m. Anm. Orth) (S. 487)
  • EuG: Keine Verwechslungsgefahr bei den Wortmarken „Tour de X“ bzw. „Tour de France“ (S. 500)
  • Verwaltungsgericht Rennes: Kommunale Förderung von Sportangeboten für nicht-binäre Personen (S. 502)
  • CAS: Anforderungen an EPO-Nachweisverfahren (Fall Vušković) (m. Anm. Kleen) (S. 503)

Ordentliche Gerichtsbarkeit

  • OLG Hamm: Strafzumessung nach Wurf eines „Polenböllers“ bei Regionalligaspiel (S. 510)
  • LG Köln: Justizgewährungsanspruch des Para-Athleten wegen der Klassifizierung eines Konkurrenten (S. 513)
  • LG Zwickau: Schmerzensgeldanspruch eines Fußballschiedsrichters wegen unfreiwilliger „Bierdusche“ (S. 516)
  • LG München I: Keine aufgezwungene Bündelung von Werbe- und Medienrechten durch die FIS (S. 518)
Arbeitsgerichtsbarkeit
  • LAG Schleswig-Holstein: Unwirksamkeit einer einseitigen Verlängerungsoption im Arbeitsvertrag eines Berufsfußballers (S. 526)

Verbandsgerichtsbarkeit

  • DFB-Sportgericht: Kein offensichtlicher Irrtum des Schiedsrichters bei bloßer Fehleinschätzung (S. 533)
  • DFB-Sportgericht: Offensichtlicher Irrtum des Schiedsrichters bei Verwechselung (m. Anm. Reif) (S. 534)

Schaufenster

  • Bericht über die mündliche Verhandlung im Verfahren von Claudia Pechstein gegen die International Skating Union vor dem Oberlandesgericht München vom 24. Oktober 2024 (S. 535)
  • Erlanger Sportrechtstagung am 31. August/1. September 2024 (S. 538)
  • DVSR-Jahrestagung am 13./14.9.2024 in Tegernsee (S. 539)
  • Zum Tode von Goetz Eilers (S. 541)
  • The European Roots of the Lex Sportiva: How Europe Rules Global Sport. (Rez. J. Kornbeck) (S. 542)