Sports Law & Practice

The FA's decision to commence disciplinary proceedings against John Terry demonstrates, once again, the perennial battle between self-regulation and external regulation. Despite the national court's decision to clear Mr Terry from all charges, the sporting governing body declared its intention to commence separate disciplinary proceedings on the same matter.  John Terry

The University of Buckingham hosted a very interesting public debate last Thursday [19 July 2012] on the issue of performance enhancing substances and methods in sport. I had the honour of chairing this debate and be part of the panel which comprised of my two esteemed colleagues, Professor Geoffrey Alderman and Professor bob Watt [who prefers to use a small 'b' for his first name!]. My two colleagues fully analysed the moral and ethical issues in favour and against the use of performance enhancing substances and answered questions from the public. 

We are now approaching, perhaps, the stage where announcements could be made regarding the re-structuring of Scottish football. We have explained, to a great extent, in our previous posts how this situation could be fully resolved, without any major complaints from any interested clubs. We have also suggested specific recommendations and we forwarded such recommendations to the Scottish Football Association.

We have been following with immense interest all developments relevant to USADA's decision to commence fresh proceedings against Lance Armstrong. Several questions are now being asked as to the necessity and indeed, the timing for initiating such proceedings. Most of the arguments, no doubt, would focus around the moral and jurisprudential fabric of such case. We would only look at the evidence and its probity.

We presented our thoughts, regarding the re-structuring of Scottish football previously in this post http://lawtop20.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/restructuring-scottish-football.html . We also submitted the case about the need for the creation of a more attractive product, which would guarantee a better income from potential TV broadcasters here http://lawtop20.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/sky-sports-football-broadcasting-rights.html . We explained clearly in these two posts that Scottish football could become more attractive, because the power of it derives from its own fans.

It has been suggested that if a NewCo Rangers is not admitted in the first two top leagues in Scotland, then Sky would have to cancel the current broadcasting rights deal. It is unknown what ESPN would do in such an event. If that is the case, it is not necessarily a pessimistic outcome, nor one that could affect the finances of the SPL clubs in a negative way.