Sports governance after the superleague judgment: going into extra time?

Abstract

This paper argues that the Superleague Judgment creates the conditions necessary for the political process to step in and do its part in providing a much-needed regulatory framework for transnational sports organizations to exercise their powers in an accountable manner and in accordance with the values usually attributed to the European Sports model. Indeed, the key issues raised in cases such as the Superleague, ISU and Royal Antwerp, as well as in past cases, often require a regulatory follow up and implementation that courts are unfit to undertake. The Court Judgments highlight systemic flaws in the governance of sports that require a public framework regulating both the scope and nature of the powers of transnational sports organisations and ensure the democratic scrutiny and accountability of their regulatory powers. This can only be properly addressed at the political level. That should have been clear by now. Let’s hope that the Superleague, ISU and Royal Antwerp judgments will make it so.