The case C/2024/5401, referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) by the Regional Administrative Court for Lazio, raises significant legal questions about the relationship between national sports law and EU law. Specifically, it addresses the compatibility of the Italian sports’ legal...
Read MoreAlthough there are some signs of progress being made, generally speaking, gender equality in sport in Italy may be characterised as “a work in progress”. The number of women participating in sport is increasing, with around 48% of sportspersons being women. In some sports, however,...
Read MoreSports events in France are protected by several legal and practical measures. These include: A regularly updated book that contains all the French legislation relating to the organisation of sports events in France. The Code is divided into several parts: a legislative section (Articles L100-1...
Read MoreAs we have remarked elsewhere, sport and broadcasting are regarded as “a marriage made in heaven”. And this is particularly true of football coverage in France, with women’s football competitions now increasing in popularity in France and elsewhere. In June 1997, the European Parliament and...
Read MoreIn Italy, sportspersons can be held liable for injuries that they cause to others on the field of play under civil and criminal law. As regards civil liability, sportspersons may face claims from other sportspersons for damages, that is, financial compensation, caused by malicious, fraudulent...
Read MoreWomen’s sport continues to grow in popularity as well as in financial terms. Globally, double-digit growth is forecast for women’s sports revenues in the next 3-5 years, despite economic and geopolitical challenges facing the sports industry as a whole. As regards sports sponsorship, which is...
Read MoreDoping continues to be the scourge of many sports, including professional tennis, and the need to eradicate it in all its forms continues apace. Three doping cases in tennis have recently been reported, with seemingly inconsistent approaches and outcomes. These have been compared and criticised...
Read MoreGenerally speaking, sports-related disputes particularly lend themselves for settlement outside the ordinary courts system, that is, by some form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the most common being arbitration. This is also the case in Switzerland, where we have the Court of Arbitration for Sport,...
Read MoreThe Italian plan to establish an independent Commission to oversee the financial budgets of football clubs has met with strong opposition, both domestically and internationally, and has led to tensions between the Government and FIFA and UEFA, the World and European Governing Bodies of football....
Read MoreSport is big business and there is much at stake on and off the field of play! In view of this, as sport continues to grow exponentially, so also, not surprisingly, do sports-related disputes. The question, therefore, arises: how best to settle them? In the...
Read MoreThe fight against doping in sport seems to be never ending and sports governing bodies – at the national and international levels – are committed to providing clean sport, whereby sportspersons can compete fairly and healthily. In Switzerland, anti-doping matters are regulated by the Swiss...
Read MoreWith so much at stake on the field of play and, with the rise of sports marketing as a multi-billion US dollar global industry, sports disputes are also increasing off the field of play. And France is no exception, with more and more sportspersons...
Read MoreThe image rights of sportspersons are a very valuable marketing and promotional tool, not least for football players and their clubs. As pointed out in a previous NEWS item, sports image rights are not universally recognised legally. However, in France, such rights are legally recognised...
Read MoreOne of the most popular and lucrative forms of sports marketing is sports sponsorship, which, globally, is worth more than US$100 billion (around Sw. Frs. 89.37 billion), and that amount is expected to almost double by 2030! Currently, the highest paid sportsperson in the world...
Read MoreFrom time to time, it may become necessary to legally enforce CAS Arbitral Awards, once final and binding, where a party concerned fails to comply with those Awards, especially ones involving the payment of substantial sums of money, by way of compensation or fines. Fortunately,...
Read MoreThe DRC is particularly involved in cases arising under the Regulation on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), especially on disputes relating to training compensation and solidarity contributions in football transfer cases. Under art.1 par.1 of Annexe 4 of the RSTP, training compensation must...
Read MoreIt is a well-known fact that the careers of elite sportspersons are relatively short compared with those of other professionals. For example, football players, on average, retire between the ages of 31 and 35, and reach their peak performances between the ages of 25 and...
Read MoreSport is all about fair competition, the so-called ‘level playing field’ and the unpredictability of the outcomes of sports events – or, at least, it should be! Unfortunately, there are many examples of practices in sport where this is not the case, and which negate...
Read MoreReports of injuries sustained by sportspersons on the field of play are almost an every-day occurrence, especially in these times when competition is so fierce and so much is at stake, not only in sporting terms but also in financial terms. Take the UEFA Champions...
Read MoreThe need for safeguarding, that is providing a safe environment in which sportspersons, especially young people and vulnerable adults, including women, can practise their sports, has never been greater than at the present time. Many sports have introduced measures to ensure such safeguarding, including training...
Read MoreTechnology is an integral part of our daily lives, and, to some degree or another, we have become dependent upon it, and sport is not beyond its outreach. In fact, many sports are now embracing technology, in one form or another, to replace or supplement...
Read MoreSadly, more and more cases of abuse of young persons and vulnerable adults participating in a range of sports are being reported. This phenomenon has become of increasing importance, particularly with the rise in women’s participation in sport, not least in football. Many international and...
Read MoreThe Olympic Charter The Olympic Charter, in Principle 4 of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, makes it quite clear that the practice of sport is a human right, and provides that: “Every individual should have the right to practice sport without discrimination and in the...
Read MoreThe 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11–22 November 2024. The aim of COP29 is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2030, under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change of 12 December 2015, and...
Read MoreThe Internet is an integral part of modern life and, not least, commerce, and the registration of Internet addresses, ‘domain names’, is a common phenomenon in a wide range of activities, including sport. Many sports organisations and well-known sportspersons have registered domain names and the...
Read MoreOne of the sports law developments in Switzerland and internationally to watch out for in 2025 is the outcome of the reference, by the Mons Court of Appeal, Belgium, to the European Union Court of Justice (CJEU) for a Preliminary Ruling on whether...
Read MoreDr. iur. Lucien W. Valloni and Thilo Pachmann provide a comprehensive overview of dynamic sports law in their work “Sports Law in a nutshell”. The second edition examines current legislation and case law, especially in the context of Switzerland’s central role for international sports federations....
Read MoreSome Key Issues Apart from death, one of the certainties of life is tax and sport is no exception! With so much money, especially prize money, available in elite sports, especially football, taxation is an important dimension and consideration in the practice of sport...
Read MoreSport and broadcasting have been well described as “a marriage made in heaven”, and this is particularly true of the broadcasting of football, the world’s most popular sport. Eye-watering sums are paid for sports broadcasting rights. For example, the English Premier League has sold for...
Read MoreFootball is the world’s favourite sport and, as such, the need for regulation for the benefit of the beautiful game and its players and fans is self-evident. In fact, in the United Kingdom, there are legislative proposals for the establishment of an independent Football Regulator...
Read MoreTransfers of professional football players, whether at the national or the international levels, make sporting news headlines whenever they take place, not least because of the eye-watering sums often involved. Last summer’s football transfer window was no exception, and the transfer, at the last minute,...
Read MoreImage rights are not legally recognised as such in all countries around the world, for example, in the United Kingdom, where they are only recognised for tax purposes. In the United States, image rights, known, as rights of publicity, are not recognised in all the...
Read MoreThis case is a legal battle between the former Arsenal and Chelsea football player, Lassana Diarra, and FIFA, the World Governing Body of Association Football, and its final outcome could change the landscape of association football. The Background In 2013, Diarra signed a 4-year contract...
Read MoreE-Sports, or electronic sports, may be defined as competitive video gaming, played, individually or in teams, on special consoles and personal computers. This form of video gaming involves humans competing against humans, usually with spectators, often millions of fans watching online and many also in...
Read MoreInterview with SAFP President Dr. Lucien Valloni concerning workload of players and health https://www.teleticino.ch/tgsport/ticinonews-sport-091024-6924
Read MoreWADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has confirmed that, on 26 September 2024, it has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of the Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner, who was found by an independent tribunal of the International Tennis...
Read MoreIt is well known that technology plays an important role in Formula 1 motor racing and AT&T announced, on 16 October 2024, an extension of its partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing starting in 2025. In Formula 1, milliseconds count and can make the difference...
Read MoreA Swiss amateur footballer has been suspended by the Disciplinary Chamber of Swiss Sport for four years for the possession and attempted use of the prohibited substance RAD140 (SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) and also fined. In February 2023, a package containing the substance and...
Read MoreSports betting in Italy is popular and growing, especially in its online version. Some facts and figures: During this year, the online gambling industry in Italy is expected to bring in a revenue of €2.89 billion. This reflects a robust growth trend in the sector. ...
Read MoreAn unprecedented legal complaint has been filed at the European Commission (EC) against the World Governing Body of Association Football, FIFA, alleging abuse of its dominant position regarding the international football calendar. The complaint has been made by the top 39 European Leagues, including the...
Read MoreSports betting is popular and big business around the world and worth some US$45 billion. This trend is likely to continue, and the value of sports betting is expected to increase by over 7% in the next five years! In Switzerland, sports betting is licensed...
Read MoreFrance international and Juventus midfielder has successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and had the four-year doping ban, imposed on him after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system, reduced to 18 months from 11 September 2023. This...
Read MoreThe FIFA Council met at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Thursday, 3 October 2024, and adopted key decisions on a variety of topics, including FIFA Member Associations and upcoming men’s and women’s competitions. In relation to the proposal submitted by the Palestine Football...
Read MoreIt has been announced that the two-time US Olympic gymnast, Jordan Chiles, has filed an appeal in the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, the TFS – Tribunal Federal Suisse, to overturn an Award made by the Ad Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport...
Read MoreWith so much money circulating sport and the desire to win, the need for integrity in sport, at the elite and grass roots’ levels, has never been greater than at the present time. The foundation of sport is fairness in all respects, especially on the...
Read MoreSport is big business: worth more than 3 per cent of world trade. So, there is much to play for, in financial as well as sporting terms. Not surprisingly sports disputes are on the increase. However, the sporting world prefers not to ‘wash its dirty...
Read MoreNew article of Lucien Valloni and Sara Botti in the September edition of Sports Law & Taxation on Women’s soccer: charting the economic landscape. Insights from Switzerland and Italy.
Read MoreOur former Legal Counsel and valued colleague, Ennio Bovolenta, has been offered and has accepted a position in the Legal Department of UEFA, the Governing Body of European Football. His move takes effect from 1 September 2024. We were sorry to see him leave the...
Read MoreA new Swiss Sports Tribunal (SST) has been established on 1 July 2024 by Swiss Olympic, the National Olympic Committee of Switzerland. The SST, based in Berne, has taken over the functions of the former Disciplinary Chamber of Swiss Sport and will be responsible for...
Read MoreHappy to share our new article on the Cristiano Ronaldo case concerning Italian taxation of image rights of our Partner Dr. Lucien W. Valloni and our Of Counsel Avv. Sara Botti.
Read MoreHappy to share that our partner Noemi Delli Colli, together with Prof. Rashid Bahar, commented on article 4, 5 and 20 of the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) in the newly published Basler Kommentar.
Read MoreSAFP President Lucien Valloni and Player Relation Manager Orlando Urbano visited Christian Eriksen today at his training session in Chiasso. SAFP personally offered him all support from the players union in his way back to professional football. SAFP President Lucien Valloni also congratulated Eriksen for...
Read MoreWe are proud to be able to announce that our Partner Dr. Lucien W. Valloni has been listet by WWL – Thought Leaders – Switzerland – Sports & Entertainment 2021. https://whoswholegal.com/lucien-w-valloni
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Ennio Bovolenta is an Italian lawyer based in Switzerland, specializing in international sports law and with years of experience in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
He is experienced in contractual disputes between football players, clubs and coaches, as well as in sports related commercial contracts and proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
As former FIFA’s Head of Integrity, he is also expert in implementing programs to promote and protect the integrity of sport, as well as in conducting investigations into corruption and match-fixing incidents.
Ennio currently serves as Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), remaining dedicated to upholding integrity in sports.
Welcome to the team Ennio!
We are pleased to announce that Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw LLM LLD joins as International Sports Law Consultant to the Firm as from 1 October 2024.
He is an international sports lawyer, having published many books and articles, including ones on Sports Marketing, Sports Image Rights, and Sports Disputes Resolution.
A Member of the Court of Arbitration Sport, Lausanne, Switzerland, and the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Arbitration and Mediation Center, Geneva, Switzerland, he is also an experienced International Sports Arbitrator and Mediator.
He has a background in company and commercial law, having been In-house Counsel of The Coca-Cola Company and RJR Nabisco.
He holds Visiting Professorships at several Universities and is much in demand leading and speaking at International Sports Law Seminars throughout the world.
He is also Consulting Editor of ‘Sports Law and Taxation’ (www.sportslawandtaxation.com).
Founder and Managing Partner, Dr Lucien Valloni, stated:
“Ian Blackshaw brings with him acknowledged expertise and extensive professional experience as an international sports lawyer and academic, which will add value to my Firm and its clients.”
Eric Haymann is an expert in all aspects of commercial law, both contentious and non-contentious. He also represents and advises private clients on the structuring of assets and estate planning.
Alongside his private client work, he advises domestic and international clients in a broad range of industries, including real estate, pharmaceuticals, fashion, biotech and financial services. He advises on domestic and international M&A transactions and also acts as counsel in arbitration cases. Eric Haymann has strong connections to the Israeli market, as well as Latin America, in particular Brazil. Eric Haymann is further representing clients in international legal assistance matters.
Peter J. Merz has years of experience in a leading business law firm and advises clients in a broad range of industries. He offers expertise in contract, commercial and corporate law, both contentious and non-contentious.
Apart from litigation he focusses on the specific private and commercial needs of his clients.
Welcome to the team Peter!
We are pleased to announce that Sara Botti has joined VALLONI Attorneys at Law as Of Counsel.
Sara is an Italian qualified lawyer based in Switzerland. Sara’s successful practice focuses on advising clients in cross-border matters involving Swiss and Italian proceedings.
With the arrival of Sara Botti, VALLONI Attorneys at Law further strengthens its international litigation practice and broadens its offering for its clients.
We are excited to have Sara on board. Welcome Sara!
Lucien W. Valloni – Live interview on RT International concerning the Biden / Putin summit in Geneva 2021
Lucien W. Valloni recomended in Chambers Europe 2021 Guide
Lucien W. Valloni – Interviewt in der SRF Rundschau Reportage zum Fussball-Hilfspaket des Bundes | Zurich, 27. May 27, 2020
Lucien W. Valloni – Speaker at Council for National and International Commercial Arbitration | Webinar, May 1, 2020
Lucien W. Valloni – Referent at Third Party Funding in Arbitration Global Online Forum | Webinar, April 24, 2020
Lucien W. Valloni – Moderator at Swiss Chinese Law Association | Webinar, February 28, 2020
Important Victory for Footballers in Turkey before the European Court of Human Rights
Lucien W. Valloni – Interview on RT International concerning doping scandle in Russian sport
Lucien W. Valloni – Interview on Radio RTS concerning Christian Constantins threat to lower salaries
Lucien W. Valloni – Interview on Channel One Russia concerning ther Rodchenkovs act passed by the US senat
Lucien W. Valloni on 10vor10 / SRF at 25’15
Lucien W. Valloni in The Best Lawyers in Switzerland 2019
Acquittal for goalkeeper won in the second instance!
Lucien W. Valloni reccommended in Chambers Europe 2019 Guide
Lucien W. Valloni – Interview on RT International concerning about the Russian biathlete Alexander Loginov
CAS Decision overturned by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court