Jan Zglinski
@janzglinski.bsky.social
Associate Prof at LSE Law School. Fellow of Oxford Institute of European and Comparative Law. Football and law.
May 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
When near Naples...
"Served by Maradona"
"Served by Maradona"
May 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
When near Naples...
"Served by Maradona"
"Served by Maradona"
Special thanks to our friends @fairsq.bsky.social who have kindly helped disseminate the proposal:
fairsq.org/new-proposal...
fairsq.org/new-proposal...
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Special thanks to our friends @fairsq.bsky.social who have kindly helped disseminate the proposal:
fairsq.org/new-proposal...
fairsq.org/new-proposal...
Enforcement will follow a dual structure: new EU Sports Agency + national sports authorities. Violations will trigger fines and penalty payments. For systematic violations of good governance or human rights rules, a ban on organising or participating in sporting competitions can be imposed.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Enforcement will follow a dual structure: new EU Sports Agency + national sports authorities. Violations will trigger fines and penalty payments. For systematic violations of good governance or human rights rules, a ban on organising or participating in sporting competitions can be imposed.
Sports organisations must do more to promote gender equality:
‒ increase participation of + build infrastructure for female athletes
‒ create pathway to equal pay
‒ adopt maternity policy with min. 14 weeks paid leave
‒ contribute to closing the gender gap in health research.
‒ increase participation of + build infrastructure for female athletes
‒ create pathway to equal pay
‒ adopt maternity policy with min. 14 weeks paid leave
‒ contribute to closing the gender gap in health research.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Sports organisations must do more to promote gender equality:
‒ increase participation of + build infrastructure for female athletes
‒ create pathway to equal pay
‒ adopt maternity policy with min. 14 weeks paid leave
‒ contribute to closing the gender gap in health research.
‒ increase participation of + build infrastructure for female athletes
‒ create pathway to equal pay
‒ adopt maternity policy with min. 14 weeks paid leave
‒ contribute to closing the gender gap in health research.
Protecting and nurturing athletes should be a priority in sports – but is often not. We propose that sports organisations have a legal obligation to adopt a safeguarding policy, establish or recognise a body monitoring compliance with it, and give athletes adequate health and mental health support.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Protecting and nurturing athletes should be a priority in sports – but is often not. We propose that sports organisations have a legal obligation to adopt a safeguarding policy, establish or recognise a body monitoring compliance with it, and give athletes adequate health and mental health support.
Federations can subject new competitions to prior authorisation and protect sporting merit and openness. But the criteria must be clear, transparent and non-discriminatory. We follow the Superleague case law, but require that key stakeholders – clubs, fans, athletes – be consulted before deciding.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Federations can subject new competitions to prior authorisation and protect sporting merit and openness. But the criteria must be clear, transparent and non-discriminatory. We follow the Superleague case law, but require that key stakeholders – clubs, fans, athletes – be consulted before deciding.
Sport plays an important social role – but with power comes responsibility. We propose human rights and environmental due diligence requirements similar to those in the CSDD Directive. In addition, sports organisations must make human rights a substantial factor when evaluating bids to host events.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Sport plays an important social role – but with power comes responsibility. We propose human rights and environmental due diligence requirements similar to those in the CSDD Directive. In addition, sports organisations must make human rights a substantial factor when evaluating bids to host events.
This includes term limits for board members and executive directors, transparency duties for important financial information, and representation requirements:
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This includes term limits for board members and executive directors, transparency duties for important financial information, and representation requirements:
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
What do we suggest? Minimum regulatory standards for sports governing bodies and competition organisers. Good governance is at the heart our proposal. None of the problems in sport will be solved without it. We propose four principles: democracy, representation, transparency and accountability.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
What do we suggest? Minimum regulatory standards for sports governing bodies and competition organisers. Good governance is at the heart our proposal. None of the problems in sport will be solved without it. We propose four principles: democracy, representation, transparency and accountability.
Our proposal for a European Sports Act!
Sport needs reforming and the EU, so we believe, can effect positive change. We propose EU rules on good governance, social responsibility, human rights, plus better safeguards for athletes and fans.
A short thread breaking down the key elements.
Sport needs reforming and the EU, so we believe, can effect positive change. We propose EU rules on good governance, social responsibility, human rights, plus better safeguards for athletes and fans.
A short thread breaking down the key elements.
April 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Our proposal for a European Sports Act!
Sport needs reforming and the EU, so we believe, can effect positive change. We propose EU rules on good governance, social responsibility, human rights, plus better safeguards for athletes and fans.
A short thread breaking down the key elements.
Sport needs reforming and the EU, so we believe, can effect positive change. We propose EU rules on good governance, social responsibility, human rights, plus better safeguards for athletes and fans.
A short thread breaking down the key elements.
Sport plays an important social role – but with power comes responsibility. We propose human rights and environmental due diligence requirements similar to those in the CSDD Directive. In addition, sports organisations must make human rights a substantial factor when evaluating bids to host events.
April 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Sport plays an important social role – but with power comes responsibility. We propose human rights and environmental due diligence requirements similar to those in the CSDD Directive. In addition, sports organisations must make human rights a substantial factor when evaluating bids to host events.
This includes term limits for board members and executive directors, transparency duties for important financial information, and representation requirements:
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
April 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This includes term limits for board members and executive directors, transparency duties for important financial information, and representation requirements:
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
‒ 40% of board positions held by women
‒ Athletes have min. 1 rep with voting rights
‒ Fans have min. 1 rep with voting rights.
What do we suggest? Minimum regulatory standards for sports governing bodies and competition organisers. Good governance is at the heart our proposal. None of the problems in sport will be solved without it. We propose four principles: democracy, representation, transparency and accountability.
April 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
What do we suggest? Minimum regulatory standards for sports governing bodies and competition organisers. Good governance is at the heart our proposal. None of the problems in sport will be solved without it. We propose four principles: democracy, representation, transparency and accountability.
Strategy 2: UEFA can try to argue that the Unify League violates some substantive criteria. For example: it is likely that only teams from the top 6 domestic leagues will play in the top tier (Star League). Doesn’t sound great for European representation and competitive balance.
December 17, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Strategy 2: UEFA can try to argue that the Unify League violates some substantive criteria. For example: it is likely that only teams from the top 6 domestic leagues will play in the top tier (Star League). Doesn’t sound great for European representation and competitive balance.
Strategy 1: it can say that the Unify League ‘adversely affects the good functioning’ of the Champions League as clubs meant to play in the latter might join the former. This, however, breaches EU law... and the Unify people know it.
December 17, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Strategy 1: it can say that the Unify League ‘adversely affects the good functioning’ of the Champions League as clubs meant to play in the latter might join the former. This, however, breaches EU law... and the Unify people know it.
Unify promises a competition for 96 teams, from 55 domestic leagues across Europe, free streaming for fans, more solidarity payments, and greater support for women’s football. These are all relevant benefits from a competition law perspective.
December 17, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Unify promises a competition for 96 teams, from 55 domestic leagues across Europe, free streaming for fans, more solidarity payments, and greater support for women’s football. These are all relevant benefits from a competition law perspective.
Let’s rewind: in 2023 the Court said that FIFA and UEFA cannot categorically block new football competitions. But it also said that any new competition must be compatible with the European Sports Model, i.e. protect sporting merit, solidarity, be open to clubs across Europe...
December 17, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Let’s rewind: in 2023 the Court said that FIFA and UEFA cannot categorically block new football competitions. But it also said that any new competition must be compatible with the European Sports Model, i.e. protect sporting merit, solidarity, be open to clubs across Europe...
The inevitable has happened: a year after the European Court of Justice’s ruling, A22 has finally submitted a re-re-worked proposal for the European Super League.
If (big if!) enough clubs sign up, there is legal trouble ahead for UEFA.
If (big if!) enough clubs sign up, there is legal trouble ahead for UEFA.
December 17, 2024 at 9:04 PM
The inevitable has happened: a year after the European Court of Justice’s ruling, A22 has finally submitted a re-re-worked proposal for the European Super League.
If (big if!) enough clubs sign up, there is legal trouble ahead for UEFA.
If (big if!) enough clubs sign up, there is legal trouble ahead for UEFA.
Werder Bremen have become second (professional) club in Germany to leave X for Bluesky.
Decision taken by executive board. Statement does not mince words.
Decision taken by executive board. Statement does not mince words.
November 19, 2024 at 10:24 AM
Werder Bremen have become second (professional) club in Germany to leave X for Bluesky.
Decision taken by executive board. Statement does not mince words.
Decision taken by executive board. Statement does not mince words.