Sports Law Topics
Sports Law Topics
Sports Law Topics
INTRODUCTION
OLYMPIC CHARTER
KINDS OF SPORTS
Amateur Sports
Professional Sports
International Sports
GOVERNANCE OF SPORTS
- Governing bodies
Domestic level
International level
Ajay Hasia v. Khalid Mujib (BCCI not a ‘state’ within the ambit of Article 12 on account of
the principle of ansence of ‘deep and pervasive control and lack of substantial government
funding)
Vineeth Kumar v. Union of India (extent of monopoly and autonomy of independent and
Non-state funded sports bodies and federations)
Zee Telefilms Ltd v. Union of India (due to the autonomous nature BCCI was considered not
to be a ‘State’ under Article 12 of the Constitution, but sports was considered a part of
education so fell under the Union list. Therefore Right to equality and other Fundamental
Rights can be claimed)
Sorab Singhal v. Union of India
Karan Kumar v. Union of India (Though education incorporates sports, a person representing
India in International matches cannot be brought under the ambit of education)
Ajay Jadeja v. Union of India (It was held that when the State stands back and lets a body,
BCCI in this case, to monopolise the game in India, it imbues the body with the
responsibility of discharging ‘public functions’)
Rahul Mehra v. Union of India (the amenability of a body to the Writ Jurisdiction is not
dependent on whether the body is public or private, rather it is to be decided based of the
‘functions test’)
BCCI v. Cricket Board of Bihar
Dilip Kumar v. Union of India
Narendra Batra v. Union of India (Indian Hockey Federation was considered to be amenable
to judicial review. It regulates Hockey for the entire country and represents India on the
International arena)
CONTRACTS IN SPORTS
Personal contract
Relatonship between,
- Organisation
- Players
- Clubs
- Agency
- Governing
- Master-Servant Relationship
- Principal-Agent Relationship
Walter v. Crystal Palace Football Club (Whether the football player playing on behalf of a
club was engaged under a contract for service or contact of service? Held to be Contract of
service, as the club controlled in the form of training, discipline and methods of play)
Test to determine,
- Organisation test
- Economic reality
Watson v. Berger
Percept DMark v. Zaheer Khan (
Bosman Ruling case (The players could move o a new club at the end of their ontract without
their old club receiving a fee. Only the number of non EU players in each team can be
restricted)
Terminationa of Contract
Labour issues
- Contract of service
- Contract for service
Cricket Club of India v. Bombay Labour Union (Whether sports fall under the ambit of
industry? NO)
Bombay Water Supply case
INJURY IN SPORTS
TORTIOUS LIABILITY
Trespass in Person
Negligence
Vicarious liability
Exceptions to negligence
Conditions to claim self-defense
McNamara v. Duncan
Condon v. Basi
Caldwell v. Maguire & Fitzerald
Duty of care
Sporting Culture
Rogons v. Bugdon
Smoldon v. Nolan Whitworthy (Duty of care owed by the referee to ensure the safety of the
participants ina a match under his control)
Mechanisms to curb violence in Sports
- Application of Criminal and Civil Law
- Duty to take reasonable care
Uncertainty in Sports
- Short term
- Medium term
- Long term
Victoria Park Racing v. Taylor & Ors. (A person watching the sports cannot be stopped
from watching it. Spectable cannot be monopolized)
Personality Right
Sponsorship
Endorsement
Trademark
Trade Secret
Copyright
Passing off
Broadcasting
ICC Developmen v. ARVEE Enterprises (Players, famous or otherwise, have the Right to
Privacy under Article 19 and can be protected)
Pitsburg Ahelete Co. v. KQV Broadcasting
Gautham Gambhir v. DAP (Valid excuse as the owner’s name was also Gautham
Gambhir. Also the suit was initiated when the shop became famous and actually when it
was set up)
Arsenal v. Reed (a souvenir maker selling merchandise relating to Arsenal had
disclaimers all over the shop saying that the products are not official and are in no way
related to the Football team. No infringement as he disclaimer can e considered as valid
excuse)
Irvine v. Talksports Ltd. (Violation of Personality Rights. False Endorsement and
Passing off)
Yacht Competition case (Pictures taken while practising helped to deduce the scheme
used to win the competition, therefore held that it was a violation of Trade Secret)
Ferrari v. McLaren (Formula One spying scandal. Violation of Trade Secret)
Ambush Marketing