Level Playing Field? FIFA’s NDRCs and the Legitimacy of Sports Arbitration

Presentation

The panel will examine the legitimacy of specialized dispute resolution mechanisms in international sport. While sports arbitration is designed to provide expertise and efficiency, its institutional structure raises important questions regarding consent, independence, and the balance of power between athletes, clubs, and governing bodies. The discussion will explore whether these mechanisms operate as genuinely independent arbitral tribunals or as internal quasi-judicial body integrated within the governance structures of sport. Panelists will address key issues, including athlete consent in systems that rely on mandatory arbitration clauses, the structural imbalances that may arise between different stakeholders, and the standards of independence and impartiality expected from sports adjudicatory bodies. The discussion will also consider how these mechanisms interacts with state courts, particularly with respect to the recognition and enforceability of decisions, as well as potential challenges grounded in public policy or fundamental rights.