Sport and the law

Question 1

Sports law

Answer 1

The laws, regulations and judicial decisions that govern sports and athletes who perform in them

Question 2

Damages

Answer 2

Individuals seeking legal redress and compensation for loss of earnings must prove that they have suffered an actual injury as the result of the deliberate harmful, reckless actions of an opponent

Question 3

Restraint of trade

Answer 3

Action that interferes with free competition in a market. In sport, this might involve a clause in a contract which restricts a persons right to carry out their profession

Question 4

Reasons why sports performers might need assistance from the law during their sporting careers (SOCCER)

Answer 4

Spectators attacking players
Opponents being ‘too violent’
Contractual issues with sponsors
Contractual issues with employers
Equality of opportunities issues
Refereeing negligence

Question 5

Negligence

Answer 5

Conduct that falls below a ‘reasonable person standard’ and leads to a breach of the duty of care which results in foreseeable harm to another

Question 6

Duty of care

Answer 6

A legal obligation imposed on someone if they are responsible for a group of people

Question 7

Uses of sports legislation in relation to officials (negligence)

Answer 7

• Highlighted the position whereby a referee can be found liable for injuries sustained by a player during a game
• Officials need to do everything in their power to ensure they aren’t negligent in the performance of their required duties

Question 8

The uses of sports legislation in relation to coaches (duty of care)

Answer 8

• Health and safety (access to health facilities)
• Protection from abuse (protect children from all kinds of abuse)
• Supplements (educate them about drug use and abuse)
• Duty of care
• Keeping up-to-date contact details
• Maintaining appropriate supervision ratios
• Ensuring that first aid provision is available at the club
• Ensuring that individuals regularly involved in coaching children have a current DBS clearance
• Ensuring they have undertaken an appropriate risk assessment for the activities being coached

Question 9

Duty of care applied to coaches

Answer 9

This requires coaches to take such measures as are ‘reasonable’ in the circumstances to ensure that individuals will be taking care of their child

Question 10

In loco parentis

Answer 10

A latin phrase which means ‘in the place of parent’
Its the authority parents assign to another responsible adult who will be taking care of their child

Question 11

The uses of sports legislation in relation to spectators (safety, hooliganism)

Answer 11

• Spectators at sports events must act within the law
• Cannot invade playing surfaces or use racist chants
• Acts and pieces of legislations have been introduced since mid-20th century to try and improve spectator safety and behaviour of fans

Question 12

Occupiers Liability Act (1957)

Answer 12

States that an ‘occupier’ of a premises owns a common duty of to their ‘visitors’. In charge of premises

Question 13

Safety of Sports Grounds Act (1975)

Answer 13

This act protects all spectators and covers all grounds in all sports

Question 14

Sporting Events Act (1985)

Answer 14

Law introduced to ban possession of alcohol at a football match.
Ensure no alcohol can be sold by them

Question 15

Fire Safety and Safety of Place Sport Act (1987)

Answer 15

Fire security licence needs to be gained from local authority for event to happen.
Act also sets max number of spectators allowed to stand- fire proof stands

Question 16

The Football Spectators Act (1989)

Answer 16

Banning orders to be put on individuals who have committed offences and the Act prevents them from attending sports events for a certain period of time at home and abroad

Question 17

The Football Offences Act (1991)

Answer 17

Created 3 offences at football grounds:
- Prevent the throwing of missiles
- The chanting of racist remarks - Trespassing onto the field