Law in Sport Flashcards
What mmnemonic can you use to remember why Athletes may need a lawyer?
SOCER
S= Spectator violence
O= Opponents violence
C= Contractual issues (employers and Sponsors)
E= Equal opportunities (Racism/Sexism)
R= Refereeing negligence
In which of the following situations would a performer need assistance from the law as a result of an incident occurring outside of competition?
A Contractual issues
B Spectators attacking a player
C Referee negligence
D Opponents being violent
(Total 1 mark)
A
State four reasons why sports legislation is important for performers. (4 marks)
* To protect from injuries obtained through sport / through violence / deviance of other players (1)
* To protect against potential spectator behaviour (1)
* Dispute contracts with employers / sponsors (1)
* Can be compensated for loss of earnings (1)
* Equal opportunities / Protect from discrimination (1)
* Protection from sexual abuse / negligence of referees or coaches (1)
* Protection against media intrusion into private lives (1)
Accept first four points only
Define the term ‘negligence’.
(Total 1 mark)
* Breaching the duty of care resulting in (foreseeable) harm to another. (1)
* Conduct that falls below the required standards to maintain safety resulting in (foreseeable) harm to another. (1)
Accept any other appropriate definition of negligence.
Max 1 mark
Give three examples of negligence by a rugby official. (3 marks)
Accept first three answers.
* Injury caused by not applying the rules of the game correctly such as high tackles going unpunished. (1)
* Injury caused by failure to check clothing such as footwear for missing studs/players wearing jewellery. (1)
* Injury caused by failure to check the safety of the surface before a match such as hard pitch/debris on pitch. (1)
* Injury caused by failure to check the equipment, such as if posts are protected. (1)
* Injury caused by failure to stop the game due to an injury to a player. (1)
Accept any other appropriate examples of negligence by a rugby official.
The law has become increasingly involved in sporting issues.
State how the law can protect elite performers.
(3 marks)
A (On field of play) Opposition player fouls/protection from violent spectators
B (Off field of play) contracts with employers/administration of wages/assets/Bosman ruling/Court of Arbitration for Sport
C Sponsorship deals/commercial deals
D Protection from media intrusion into private life/privacy law
E Child protection laws
F Protection from racism/sexism/disability/equal opportunities
G Health and safety requirements/negligence laws
Coaches legally have to demonstrate a duty of care by reducing potential risks and dangers for players.
Outline how coaches can demonstrate a duty of care. (3 marks)
* Providing first aid provision so that injured players are dealt with (1)
* Maintain the right supervision numbers to allow safe participation / balanced competition (1)
* Collect medical information / contact details so that incidents can be dealt with (1)
* Do a risk assessment so that any dangers are planned for / check equipment / clothing / facilities (1)
* Adapt sessions to needs / ability of participants (1)
* Suitably trained i.e. DBS, safeguarding, first aid with regards to abuse / educate on dangers of drugs / overtraining / appropriate training (1).
Accept other appropriate descriptions of how coaches can demonstrate a good standard of duty of care.
Some sports have experienced violence, both on and off the field of play, involving both players and spectators.
How does the law and sports legislation help to ensure that performers are protected during sporting contests?
(3 marks)
Protect against violent play.
Employment contracts with clubs / Sponsorship / commercial contracts / avoid burnout.
Any links to private life and media intrusion is irrelevant.
Ensure duty of care from officials / negligence of poor referees.
Safe playing environment / stadiums are suitable for purpose.
Protection from violent spectators / hooligans / terrorist threats.
Link to rules is irrelevant.
Focus not on method
Ensure opponents using doping methods are banned.
Equality legislation / racism act / sexism act / disability acts / age or weight categories / gender.
The majority of spectators attend major sporting events with the expectation of observing a high standard of performance in a safe environment.
Explain how the law aims to protect spectators.
(5 marks)
A Games played at specified time/kick-off times imposed by police
B Pubs banned from opening prior to game
C All-seater stadiums/health & safety requirements
D Violent/racist individuals prosecuted - spectators
E Specific laws, eg trespassing on the pitch/field of play
F Individuals banned from grounds
G Individuals banned from travel abroad/passports confiscated
H Increased police/security at events/use of CCTV
I Players fined/prosecuted for inciting crowd violence/gestures to crowd/racist comments
J Police share information about known individuals
K Ticket touts/black market ticket sales
Evaluate the effectiveness of three different measures put in place to improve spectator safety at football matches.
[3 marks]
* All-seater stadia reduce risk of overcrowding, improving safety, but ensuring all spectators sit is difficult to enforce (1)
* Earlier kick-off times reduce the opportunity to drink alcohol prior to games, reducing levels of violence, but spectators drink after the game instead leading to violence (1)
* Sale of alcohol is controlled inside stadia, and in the surrounding area, reducing likelihood of violence, but spectators drink before entering the stadium meaning violence still occurs (1)
* Tougher deterrents for hooliganism, racism and anti-social behaviour, including fines, imprisonment and life-time bans, but hooliganism, racism and anti-social behaviour still occur, showing deterrents have not been effective (1)
* CCTV/increased policing/increased security/intelligence mean that those breaking law/rules can be ejected from the stadium and banned, but persistent offenders who have been banned are still able to enter stadia on occasions/escape identification (1)
* Segregation of home and away fans inside the stadium prevents violence between fans, however rival fans able to meet outside the stadia before or after matches (1)
Each measure needs to be evaluated to score each mark.
