Competition Law Dynamics in Sport Governance: Exploring the Regulatory Powers and Private Autonomy of Sports Associations

Pranvera Këllezi

The regulatory powers of sports federations are regularly challenged by stakeholders. The intervention of
competition law has become increasingly regulatory, and this can also affect sports organisations. However,
the two opinions delivered by Advocate General Rantos in the International Skating Union and European
Superliga cases are very favourable to international sports federations in that they seek to protect the European Sports Model. The main lesson to be drawn from the case law is that procedural safeguards and good decision-making go hand in hand and also serve to ensure compliance with competition law. Competition law rules can thus be integrated into the principles of good governance in the decision-making process of sports federations.