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Valloni / News  / THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF MINORS IN SPORT IN FRANCE
21 March 2026

THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF MINORS IN SPORT IN FRANCE

The legal protection of minors, that is, persons under 18 years old, in sport in France is focused on strict safeguarding against abuse, mandatory background checks for staff, and specialised training contracts, and supported by the March 8 2024 Law on Honorability Controls (the 2024 Law) which ensures safety through mandatory annual screening of, inter alios, coaches and referees, against criminal records, as well as strict reporting requirements for abuse.

Under the 2024 Law, a double check, judicial file and criminal record, is required for anyone working with minors, including details of foreign convictions that would disqualify such persons in France.

French sports club directors must report any suspected abuse, and failure to do so, or hiring individuals failing the ‘Honorability’ check, can lead to criminal penalties, including up to one year in prison and a fine of €15,000 (around CHF 13,593).

Also, under-14-year-olds are not legally permitted to sign employment contracts, but sign specific training agreements instead.

The French state can issue temporary or permanent bans on individuals who endanger the safety, health, or morals of young athletes.

Minors enjoy specific rights against coercive collection of personal data by sports federations during investigations.

As regards anti-doping, educational programmes are being strengthened for young athletes, and these focus on prevention rather than just punishment.

Clubs with approved specialised training centres are required to provide adequate and monitored accommodation and training for young athletes.

As regards, the protection of minors in association football in France, this is governed by Article 19 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which prohibit the international transfers of minors, as well as strict French Labour Laws and the French Football Federation Regulations.

Internationally, France is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

For further information and advice on the legal protection of minors in sport in France, email Dr Lucien Valloni at valloni@valloni.ch.

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