Inhaltsübersicht – Zeitschrift für Sport und Recht – Heft 2/2025

Das Heft 2/2025 der SpuRt wird postalisch in der 11. KW zugestellt und ist seit dem 11.03.2025 im Modul Sportrecht plus auf Beck-Online abrufbar.

Editorial

  • Sportrecht aus Donalds Ideologiestübchen (J. F. Orth, S. 113)

Aufsätze 

  • Das „Interim Regulatory Framework“ der FIFA auf dem Prüfstand (P. S. Fischinger / F. Rybak, S. 114)

This article critically assesses the so-called “Interim Regulatory Framework”, which FIFA issued in response to the ECJ’s Diarra ruling with effect from January 1, 2025. In particular, it examines whether the new regulations meet the requirements of the ECJ and to what extent there is still a need for change.

  • Die Reform der DIS-Sportschiedsgerichtsordnung (R. F. Bodenheimer, S. 121)

The article discusses the recent reform of the DIS Sports Arbitration Rules, tracing their origins back to 1998 and noting significant updates introduced in 2016 and 2023. The primary motivation for the current reform stems from the need to align with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) updated requirements, as well as to synchronize with the 2018 revisions of the DIS Commercial Arbitration Rules. The article outlines several key changes, including expedited processes, enhanced electronic case management, and the inclusion of both procedural and technical innovations. The reformed rules now require faster proceedings, with shortened deadlines and the potential for electronic submissions and virtual hearings. Special provisions include maintaining the confidentiality of arbitration while allowing for possible public hearings in disciplinary cases. The reform introduces a single arbitrator as the default in cases, with options for three arbitrators in high-stakes matters, and emphasizes athlete rights, especially in anti-doping disputes. There is also a greater emphasis on utilizing sports-specific customs and standards in decisionmaking processes. A DIS Council has been established to oversee critical functions such as arbitrator challenges and fee determinations. Overall, the article highlights the reform’s goal to make dispute resolution in sports more efficient, transparent, and tailored to the specific needs of athletic disputes.

  • Der kommerzielle „Flitzer“ – Gewinnabschöpfung durch Sportveranstalterals effektive Prävention (A. Jens / B. Böther, S. 126)

The article discusses the phenomenon of commercial streakers at sports events, where the motivation has shifted from personal stunts to economic gains through advertising. It highlights the case of Kinsey Wolanski, who gained immense publicity and financial benefits from her streaking incident at the 2019 Champions League Final. Traditional deterrents like stadium bans have proven ineffective, prompting consideration of financial penalty mechanisms against streakers. The article suggests that event organizers can reclaim profits obtained by streakers through legal means such as Germany’s law on unauthorized management of affairs and unjust enrichment. It explores legal frameworks like §§ 687 Abs. 2 S. 1, 681 S. 2, 667 BGB for reclaiming direct profits made by streakers from advertising, and argues that indirect benefits, such as social media influence growth, are less legally viable for recovery. The article also examines the potential for claiming a license fee equivalent to what would be charged for authorized stadium advertising, suggesting this could be a deterrent. In conclusion, it recommends incorporating clauses in ticket terms mandating the surrender of any profits made from streaking to the event organizers, potentially reducing the appeal of such disruptions.

  • Sanktionsrechtliche Fallstricke bei internationalen Spielertransfers (D. Rösch / S. Antlitz, S. 130)

The article explores the complexities and risks associated with international football player transfers involving Russian and EU-based clubs in light of EU sanctions against Russia. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU imposed significant sanctions aimed at crippling the Russian economy, which have broad implications, including for football transactions. The article outlines how EU sanctions, particularly those contained in regulations (EU) No 269/ 2014 and No 833/2014, target financial dealings and economic resources involving sanctioned Russian individuals and entities. Transfers may infringe these sanctions if economic resources or payment flows either directly or indirectly benefit sanctioned parties, posing legal and reputational risks for EU clubs. The intricacies of compliance involve understanding the ownership, control structures, and affiliations of Russian clubs to avoid illegal asset provision. Furthermore, while direct transfer agreements with non-sanctioned Russian entities are not outright illegal, challenges remain regarding paymfent processes, particularly when Russian banks on sanction lists are involved. Legal implications such as potential invalidity of contracts and severe penalties for breaches are discussed, emphasizing the necessity for rigorous due diligence by EU clubs. The article advises that even compliant transactions might expose EU clubs to reputational damage and challenges under other international sanctions regimes, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance.

The article examines the liability of referees for sports injuries, using a real-life case where a referee’s loud whistle allegedly caused a player’s hearing damage, leading to a claim for damages. It explores whether and when a referee might be held liable for injuries caused during a game. The analysis is based on the established principles of privileged athlete liability, which do not generally impose liability for injuries unless there’s a breach of rules with significant impact. The article discusses that for referees, like athletes, liability primarily arises in cases of severe rule violations. It assesses the role of the referee in the context of the sport, considering if the referee’s actions were necessary and conformed to the game’s rules. The analysis involves determining whether the sports rules protect third parties and if a rule violation holds enough significance to trigger liability. Ultimately, the article concludes that referees are typically covered under the same liability privileges as athletes and are rarely held liable unless a significant deviation from normative rule application occurs. The article provides a framework for evaluating referee liability, subject to general and specific circumstances in each case.

  • Verteilung der Medienerlöse im Fußball – Berechtigte Kritik? (T. Erkens, S. 140)

The article examines the distribution of media revenues in German professional soccer and evaluates the legitimacy of public criticism levied against it. The German Football League (DFL) manages the media rights distribution through a Four-Pillar Model, which allocates funds based on league parity, performance, youth development contribution, and club popularity. Recent criticisms from various clubs, highlighted by public statements and position papers, allege that the distribution model excessively rewards certain clubs at the expense of others, perpetuating inequalities within the league. The author investigates the decision- making processes inside the DFL to determine if criticism of revenue distribution is justified. He explains that the DFL’s decisions are made by a presidium, which consists of members elected by the clubs and members of the DFL’s management. This setup potentially leads to conflicts of interest, particularly when presidium members are affiliated with clubs that could benefit from specific distribution models. Despite the rules intended to mitigate such conflicts, the author argues that the inherent connection between presidium members and their respective clubs might still influence decisions unfavorably. He suggests that a more equitable solution would be to involve the General Assembly, in which all clubs have direct representation and voting rights, in the decision-making process. This could prevent biased distribution models that disproportionately favor certain clubs, thereby addressing the core issues raised by critics. In conclusion, while the clubs have the means to amend the decision-making structure via statutory changes to require a broader consensus, the article implies that much of the ongoing dissatisfaction with the media revenue distribution might be a product of the clubs‘ previous decisions to delegate authority to the presidium. As such, the clubs‘ criticisms are only partially justified, depending on their willingness to pursue structural reforms.

  • Verbesserung der finanziellen Teilhabe der Athleten durch Kodifikation eines Athletenverwertungsrechts (Y. Schmitter, S. 144)

The article discusses the economic disadvantage faced by athletes, particularly individual athletes, at large sporting events like the Olympics, where income distribution heavily favors the organizers and not the performers. It highlights how athletes, unlike professional football players in well-marketed team sports, lack legal leverage or the bargaining power to claim a fair share of the revenues generated from their performances. The article proposes the codification of an „Athlete Exploitation Right“ (Athletenverwertungsrecht), a new intellectual property right that would give athletes the exclusive right to commercially utilize images and videos of their performances. This right would fundamentally shift the athletes to a more advantageous position at the start of the revenue chain, allowing them better negotiation terms with event organizers and broadcasters. Moreover, it discusses the potential for applying antitrust laws (specifically § 19 GWB in Germany) to ensure this right is not abused by dominant market players, thus strengthening athletes’ ability to earn from their contributions to sports. The suggestion aims to address structural issues in the current system where athletes lack significant control over the profiting of their images and performances, ultimately aiming for a fairer redistribution of wealth generated in sports.

  • Ausgewählte (arbeits-)rechtliche Probleme bei Cheftrainern und Sport-Geschäftsführern (P. S. Fischinger, S. 150)

In the light of two recent judgments, the article addresses selected (labor) law issues for (head) coaches in professional sports and sports managing directors. It discusses fixed-term contracts, termination and the fate of bonus entitlements after a suspension.

Rechtsprechung

Kurzübersicht (S. 154)

Internationales

  • EuGH (GA Ćapeta): Wirksamer gerichtlicher Rechtsschutz gegen obligatorische Sportschiedsgerichtsbarkeit (m. Anm. Kintrup, S. 154)
  • OLG Linz: Umfang der Kostentragungspflicht nach Berufsunfall eines Eishockeyprofis (S. 165)
  • POTUS: USA: Strikt-binärer Geschlechterbegriff als sportpolitisches Dogma (S. 166)

Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit

  • BVerfG: Umlage von Polizeikosten durch Gebühren bei Hochrisikospielen im Fußball (m. Anm. Wienbracke, S. 168)

Ordentliche Gerichtsbarkeit

  • BGH: Kein Schadenersatz für rechtswidrigen Zwangsabstieg (SV Wilhelmshaven III/3, S. 178)
  • OLG München: Haftung des Gegenspielers bei behauptetem groben Foul im Fußball (S. 180)
  • LG Bielefeld: Unwirksamer Wegfall von Punktprämien bei Freistellung des Sportgeschäftsführers (S. 183)
  • LG München I: Verkehrssicherungspflichten des Golfplatzbetreibers (S. 186)

Verwaltungsgerichtsbarkeit

  • OVG NRW: Vereinbarkeit des Mindestabstands zu Wettvermittlungsstellen mit Europarecht (S. 187)
Arbeitsgerichtsbarkeit
  • ArbG Aachen: Befristung und der Kündigung des Arbeitsverhältnisses mit Fußballtrainer (Fall Hohl, S. 188)

Sozialgerichtsbarkeit

  • BSG: Internes Fußballturnier kein unfallversicherter Betriebssport (m. Anm. Rolfs, S. 197)

Verbandsgerichtsbarkeit

  • DFB-Sportgericht: Spielwertung nach Schwächung der Mannschaft durch Feuerzeugwurf gegen Torwart (S. 202)
  • DHB-BSpG: Rechtmäßigkeit der typisiert-abgestuften Ausbildungskostenentschädigung im Handball (S. 204)

Schaufenster

  • Ist die Subventionierung des Spitzensports mit dem EU-rechtlichen Beihilfenverbot vereinbar? (G. Groß, S. 208)
  • Stopper / Lentze: Handbuch Fußball-Recht. (Rez. H. Lindhorst, S. 211)
  • Houben: Research Handbook on the Law of Professional Football Clubs. (Rez. J. Kornbeck, S. 211)