QUARTERLY INTERNATIONAL SPORTS LAW NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2026

Welcome and Aims
We welcome readers to the sixth issue of our International Sports Law Newsletter, which appears quarterly, and aims to update you on developments and activities in our international sports law practice.
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Developments at the Firm

New Books and Article
We are pleased to announce that Dr Lucien Valloni and Noemi Delli Colli have contributed the Chapter on Switzerland in a new Publication on ‘Contractual Stability and Termination in Football’ by the Sports Law and Policy Centre, Salerno, Italy.
This Publication covers football players contracts and their termination under the laws in more than twenty countries and is edited by Prof Dr Michele Colucci, who is the Co-Founder and Honorary President of the Italian Association of Sports Lawyers.
For further information, log onto: ‘www.sportslawandpolicycentre.com’.

We are also pleased to announce that Dr Estelle Ivanova and Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw have co-authored a Book on ‘Sport and European Union Competition Law: An Introductory Guide’ which will be published later this year by the well-known legal publisher, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Maître Jean-Louis Dupont, of Bosman fame and other leading EU sports competition law cases, has written the Foreword to the Book.

Further details of the Book will be provided on publication.

Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw has also published this month in the New Law Journal (www.newlawjournal.co.uk) an article on ‘AI and Sport’ in which he explains how AI is being applied to sport and the main legal issues and sporting challenges which it gives arise to in practice.

Sports Law in 2026

The New Year promises to be an interesting and challenging one regarding sports law issues, both on and off the field of play, with, major sporting events taking place, including the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina and the FIFA Men’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

As always, we are ready, able and willing to advise and represent clients in relation to these events and on all other aspects of sports law in the New Year!

ADD : TRIBUNAL ARBITRAL DEL DEPORTE

New Website

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has revamped its official website at ‘www.tas-cas.org’ and, as a result, it is more informative and user-friendly.

 

President of ICAS Resigns

It has been announced that, after 15 years of service, John Coates, from Australia, the President of ICAS, has resigned on health grounds.

ICAS, the International Council of Arbitration for Sport is the administrative and financial authority that governs the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Its role is to safeguard the independence of CAS, and the rights of Parties involved in CAS proceedings, and was established in 1994. ICAS has 22 members drawn from the Olympic movement, sports federations, athletes, including five former Olympians, and the legal sector.

During his tenure, CAS has trebled the number of procedures registered per year from 304 in 2010 to 917 in 2024.

The ICAS budget has increased by Sw. Frs. 20 million from 4 Sw. Frs. million in 2010.

In accordance with Article S6 of the ICAS Statutes, the ICAS Senior Vice-President, Michael Lenard (US), becomes the Acting President until an election is held. The next one being scheduled for May 2027, unless ICAS decides to hold one sooner.

 

CAS Rulings

As usual, CAS continues to handle a wide range of sports-related disputes, and particular mention may be made of an important ruling, handed down on 2 December 2025, on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under the Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status for the forthcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina.

We set out the corresponding CAS Media Release as follows:

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has partially upheld two appeals against the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) concerning the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (OWG 2026).

Both CAS Panels ruled that Russian and Belarusian athletes who meet the International Olympic Committee AIN eligibility criteria should be allowed to participate in FIS qualification events.

On 21 October 2025, the FIS Council issued a resolution “not to facilitate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in FIS qualification events for the OWG and Paralympic Games 2026”.

Two appeals were filed to CAS against this decision, arguing that it is in breach of FIS statutes and contravenes the principles of political neutrality and non-discrimination.

The first appeal is by the Russian Ski Association (RSF), 12 Russian athletes and para-athletes, and the Russian Paralympic Committee. This case was heard virtually on 1 December 2025.

The second appeal is by the Belarusian Ski Union (BSU) and 5 Belarusian athletes. This case was heard virtually on 26 November 2025. The procedures were expedited to accommodate upcoming OWG 2026 qualification events, with operative decisions issued today (without grounds).

Both Panels found that the FIS Statutes protect individuals from discrimination and require the FIS to be politically neutral (Art. 5.2). Consequently, the appeals were partially upheld on the basis that the FIS decision is a blanket exclusion of athletes due to nationality, regardless of whether athletes would meet AIN eligibility criteria.

The request to allow Russian para-athletes to participate in FIS events under the same conditions as other para-athletes was upheld in the absence of an AIN framework established by the International Paralympic Committee.

Further requests by the appellants in the RSF appeal to allow other athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia to participate in upcoming competitions were dismissed.

Requests by the BSU on how to establish and apply AIN criteria were also dismissed, as they remain under FIS remit.

The athletes involved in the RSF appeal were Mr Saveliy Korostelev, Ms Lana Prusakova, Ms Maria Travinicheva, Mr Artiom Galunin, Ms Ekaterina Tkachenko, Mr Daniil Sadreev, and the para-athletes Mr Alexey Bugaev, Ms Varvara Voronchikhina, Ms Anastasiia Bagagiin, Mr Ivan Golubkov, Ms Polina Novakovskya, and Mr Mikhail Slinkin.

The athletes involved in the BSU appeal were Ms Hanna Huskova, Ms Anna Derugo, Ms Anastasiya Andryianava, Mr Ihar Drabiankou and Mr Uladzislau Vazniuk.

For further information related to CAS activity and procedures, please contact either Matthieu Reeb, CAS Director General, or Vanessa Tracey, Communications Officer. Palais de Beaulieu, av. Bergières 10, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland. media@tas-cas.org www.tas-cas.org

This is an unofficial summary for media use.”

We advise on and represent clients in CAS appeal proceedings, and also on further appeals to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights, and further information may be obtained from our Managing Partner, Dr Lucien Valloni, by emailing him at ‘valloni@valloni.ch’.

Some International Olympic Committee (IOC) News

IOC President’s New Year’s Message

“Dear Olympic friends,

As we welcome a new year, I want to thank you — the entire Olympic community — for the incredible support and encouragement you’ve given me during my first months as IOC President. Over these six months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you – listening, learning, and feeling the energy that drives our Olympic Movement. Your passion and commitment inspire me every day.

There is so much to look forward to at the start of this very special Olympic year. In just a few weeks, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will bring together the best winter sport athletes in bella Italia — a country that lives and breathes passion.

The torch is already moving across Italy, connecting communities and building excitement for Milano Cortina 2026. These Games will take athletes and fans to places where winter sport is part of daily life, showcasing existing world-class venues and celebrating the regions that live and breathe sport. Milano Cortina will be a new kind of Winter Games: Games where innovation meets tradition, gender equality reaches new heights, and iconic landscapes provide the perfect stage. As the first Games of my presidency, I am determined to make them a success — for the athletes, for Italy, and for the entire Olympic Movement.

Later in the year, all eyes will turn to Africa for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games— the first Olympic event ever on African soil. As a proud African and Olympian, I could not be more excited. These Games will be a milestone – not just for Senegal, but for all of Africa. They will showcase the energy, creativity and optimism of our continent – and they will inspire young people everywhere to dream big.

As we look ahead, our Fit for the Future consultation is already in full swing, engaging voices from across the Olympic community. The discussions are lively and inspiring, and the ideas emerging will lead to concrete recommendations this summer — setting the course for our Olympic Movement. I am encouraged by the sense of purpose that all of you bring to this process. Together, we will build our Olympic Movement that is strong, united and truly fit for the future.

There is so much to look forward to in 2026 — so much to achieve together. I can’t wait to continue this journey with all of you, to make this Olympic year one of unity, inspiration and progress for our entire community.

Thank you — and I wish you all a joyful and successful Olympic year ahead!

Kirsty Coventry

IOC President”

Transgender Women Ban

It has been reported that the IOC is expected to announce, early this year, a new policy on banning transgender women competing in female events, following the results of a science-based review regarding the permanent physical advantages of being born male, even in those cases where treatment for reducing testosterone has been undertaken.

This review was carried out by Dr Jane Thornton, the IOC medical and scientific director, who is a former Olympic rower.

To date, the IOC position on this controversial matter has been to allow transgender women to compete in female events with reduced testosterone levels but has left it to individual sports governing bodies to decide based on their own rules.

It appears that there is some further work to be done, before a final decision is taken, to ensure that the new policy is legally defensible, particularly, one would expect, regarding any possible human rights legal challenges, taking into account the IOC general principles, as enshrined in the Olympic Charter, that the practice of sport is a human right and any form of discrimination in sport, including on the grounds of sex or sexual orientation, is prohibited.

European Union Competition Law and Italian Football

The Italian Council of State has upheld the AGCM decision against the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for abuse of a dominant position, contrary to Article 102 of The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, regarding youth and amateur football competitions, confirming that sports federations are subject to antitrust rules affecting market access.

The FIGC conduct had, it was held, an exclusionary effect in the market for youth football competitions and could not objectively be justified by the need to protect athletes’ health or the integrity of the competitions.

This decision, which was confirmed on 6 January 2026, has solidified the AGCM stance that the FIGC rules hinder other organisers, even though a lower court initially annulled the fine, marking a significant win for competition enforcement in sports in Italy.

Further information may be obtained from the Head of our Italian Law Practice, Avv. Sara Botti, by emailing her at ‘botti@valloni.ch’.

Motor Sport

Formula 1: New Concorde Agreement Signed – F1 Press Release

“Formula 1 and The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) can confirm that the 2026 Concorde Governance Agreement has been signed by both parties and all 11 Formula 1 teams. This follows the announcement, in March 2025, that the 2026 Commercial Concorde Agreement had been signed by all the teams and Formula 1.

Together, these agreements constitute the ninth Concorde Agreement, a crucial contract defining the regulatory framework and commercial and governance terms of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship until 2030, representing a major step forward in the professionalisation and global development of the sport.

The Concorde Agreement ensures that the key stakeholders in the sport, Formula 1 as the Commercial Rights Holder, the FIA as the governing body of world motorsport, and the F1 teams, are fully aligned on the fundamental commercial and governance structures that will underpin the ne”xt five years of the sport as it heads into a new era in 2026 with exciting and innovative regulations for the power unit and cars.

This underscores the commitment of all parties to continue growing and developing the sport, and to keep driving the momentous expansion it has seen in recent years. It will enable the FIA to invest further in improved race regulation, race direction, stewarding, and technical expertise for the benefit of the Championship, and means the sport can continue to evolve, providing exciting technological innovation and sporting action for fans, broadcasters and partners, all within a stable and structured regulatory framework.

Combined with record viewership growth, a dynamic race calendar, and increasing engagement from younger audiences, the FIA Formula 1 World Championship enters this next chapter with unprecedented momentum.

The Concorde Agreement ensures that the key stakeholders in Formula 1 are fully aligned on the commercial and governance structures that will underpin the next five years of the sport.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Today is an important day for Formula 1. As we celebrate 75 years of this incredible sport, we are proud to write the next chapter in our long and amazing history. This agreement ensures that Formula 1 is in the best possible position to continue to grow around the world. I want to thank the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and all the teams for the collaboration and determination to achieve the best results for the entire sport in our discussions. We have a huge amount to be proud of, but we also are focused on the opportunities and exciting potential for Formula 1 in the years ahead.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “The ninth Concorde Agreement secures the FIA Formula One World Championship’s long-term future and I am proud of the dedication that has been invested in this process. I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and his team in what has been a strong collaboration, building a framework grounded in fairness, stability, and shared ambition. This agreement allows us to continue modernising our regulatory, technological, and operational capabilities, including supporting our race directors, officials, and the thousands of volunteers whose expertise underpin every race. We are ensuring that Formula 1 remains at the forefront of technological innovation, setting new standards in global sport.”

Darts Record Sponsorship

It has been reported that the World number one darts player, Luke Littler, has landed a record sponsorship deal with Target Darts (Target), which is worth £20 million (around Sw. Frs. 21.4 million) over ten years.

Earlier this month, Littler, who is British and only 18 years old, claimed the £1 million (around Sw. Frs. 1.074 million) prize for winning the World Darts Championship, and already has 10 major titles to his name.

Target has remarked that:

“The deal is the largest agreement in darts history between a brand and a player.”

Littler has stated that:

“Target has believed in me from day one.”

He is also managed by Target, which sells a range of equipment, including Luke Littler darts, dartboards and playing shirts.

We act in sports sponsorship cases, including disputes, and further information is available from Dr Lucien Valloni or Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw by emailing them at ‘valloni@valloni.ch’ and ‘blackshaw@valloni.ch’ respectively.

Careers with Valloni Attorneys at Law
We are always looking to recruit further well-qualified and motivated members of our Team, who, in line with the ethos of our Law Firm, are focussed on results for our clients.
We would be very pleased to hear from such candidates, particularly from any Spanish lawyers with experience in sports law in Spain, especially association football, all of whom should email their CVs to our Managing Partner, Dr Lucien Valloni, at ‘valloni@valloni.ch’.

Further Information and Advice
For further details of any of the sports law issues covered in this Newsletter, please refer to the NEWS section of our website at ‘valloni.ch’.

Also, for any professional advice and assistance on any of these issues, or, indeed, on any other legal matters, especially disputes of a sporting or a commercial/financial nature, which are a particular specialism of our Law Firm, please email our Founder and Managing Partner, Dr Lucien Valloni, at ‘valloni@valloni.ch’. He will be very pleased to hear from you.

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