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Associations & Institutions

Sports Associations & Institutions: Structure and Secure Your Governance

Need to clarify your statutes? Organize your elections? Secure your subsidies?

Sports associations rely on clear governance, appropriate statutes, and strict administrative compliance. General meetings, elections, relations with supervisory authorities, public funding: every decision affects the sustainability of your organization and the peace of mind of your leaders.

Since 1973, Cabinet Bertrand has been assisting sports associations and organizations with their legal organization.

Our in-depth knowledge of sports association law and federal requirements enables us to secure your governance, anticipate internal conflicts, and ensure your regulatory compliance.

Beyond the organizations themselves, we also assist sports leaders— whether candidates or incumbents—who wish to prepare for, organize, or contest elections within federations, leagues, committees, or associations. In these situations, we represent the individual, not the institution, in line with our core practice of defending individual rights.

Comment défendre un sportif ou un entraîneur ? Prendre un avocat spécialisé en droit du sport !

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Your Objectives

Solid sports governance is based on clear legal foundations. Whatever your situation—whether you are an association or an individual leader—we support you in structuring, securing, and defending your interests.

Is your project not listed below? Contact us: every situation is unique.

Articles of Association and Internal Regulations

Are you creating an association, looking to amend your articles of association, or update your internal regulations?

Relevant projects:

Creation of a sports association (1901 law)

Drafting or revision of articles of association

Compliance with federal requirements

Drafting or amending internal regulations

Adaptation of statutes to changes in the structure

Organization of general meetings

Are you preparing for an ordinary or extraordinary general meeting and want to ensure that it runs smoothly?

Projects concerned:

Notice of meeting and agenda in accordance with the articles of association

Verification of quorum and voting conditions

Preparation of resolutions and deliberations

Drafting of minutes

Amendment of the articles of association at an extraordinary general meeting

Elections and election disputes

Are you a candidate in an election, an outgoing officer, or a member wishing to contest an election?

Relevant projects:

Preparation of candidacies for federal, regional, or local elections

Organization and supervision of elections

Challenging election results (irregularities, fraud)

Appeals against decisions of ineligibility

Defense of leaders facing dismissal proceedings

Administrative compliance and approvals

Do you need to meet the requirements of the prefecture or obtain accreditation?

Projects concerned:

Mandatory declarations (creation, modifications)

Relations with the prefecture

Obtaining or renewing Youth and Sports accreditation

Federal affiliation or disaffiliation

Regulatory compliance

Funding and grants

Are you applying for public subsidies or looking to secure your partnership agreements?

Projects concerned:

Grant applications (local authorities, ANS, State)

Negotiation and drafting of target agreements

Justification and control of the use of funds

Partnership agreements with sponsors and patrons

Securing public and private funding

Internal conflicts and governance

Are you facing a conflict between leaders, a governance crisis, or institutional deadlock?

Projects concerned:

Mediation between leaders or authorities

Resolution of internal conflicts

Management of governance crises (deadlock, vacancy)

Support for dismissal procedures

Reorganization of governing bodies

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Our Support by Profile

Local Sports Associations

Who do we support?

Amateur clubs (all disciplines, all levels)

Neighborhood, municipal, and departmental sports associations

Multi-sport facilities and sports sections

Sports facility management associations

Our services

✅ Drafting and amending statutes: Statutes that comply with federal and legal requirements

✅ Organization of general meetings: Notices, quorum, deliberations, minutes

✅ Governance advice: Structuring of the board, delegation of powers

✅ Election support: Preparation, organization, potential disputes

✅ Relations with supervisory authorities: Declarations, approvals, compliance with prefecture/DRAJES

When should our sports association's articles of association be revised?

A revision of the statutes is necessary when significant changes occur: modification of the corporate purpose, changes in voting procedures, creation of new categories of members, adaptation to updated federal requirements, or preparation for a change in legal structure. Regular revision (every 5-10 years) also ensures that your bylaws remain in line with legislative developments and current association governance practices.

Can our amateur club organize contested elections?

Elections within a sports association must strictly comply with the articles of association and internal regulations: timely notification, precise agenda, verification of voter eligibility, voting conditions (secret ballot, proxies), and regular announcement of results. Any breach can be invoked to contest the election. We can help you organize flawless elections or, conversely, identify irregularities that could be used to contest a vote.

Small Institutional Structures

Who do we assist?

Federations and leagues for specific disciplines (outside our usual scope of work on behalf of athletes)

Athletes' unions (legal structure and governance)

Professional sports groups

Emerging structures currently being established

Our services

✅ Legal structuring advice: Choice of legal form, internal organization

✅ Drafting of articles of association and regulations: Founding documents in accordance with ministerial requirements

✅ Accreditation support: Recognition procedures, ministerial delegation

✅ Governance and internal conflicts: Mediation, conflict resolution between authorities

✅ Training for managers: Awareness of legal obligations and responsibilities

What is the difference between a 1901 association and an approved sports federation?

All sports federations are legally associations under the 1901 law, but they enjoy a special status linked to their ministerial accreditation and, where applicable, their public service delegation. Accreditation imposes specific obligations: standard statutes, compliant regulations, regulated disciplinary procedures, and ministerial oversight. An authorized federation also has a monopoly on the organization of official competitions and the awarding of titles.

Important note: Cabinet Bertrand can act on behalf of institutional sports structures (federations, leagues) in the areas of consulting and structuring, provided that the intervention does not involve litigation between these structures and athletes, players, or coaches whom we usually represent. For this reason, our support mainly concerns specific disciplines outside our regular litigation practice.

Sports Executives and Election Candidates

Who do we support?

Candidates in federal, regional, or local elections

Current leaders (presidents, board members, administrators)

Members of associations wishing to contest an election or a decision

Volunteer leaders facing allegations

Our services

✅ Preparation of candidacies: Verification of eligibility, compilation of files, legal election strategy

✅ Election challenges: Identification of irregularities, internal and judicial appeals

✅ Defense against dismissals: Challenging abusive dismissal procedures

✅ Protection of leaders: Civil and criminal liability, personal liability

✅ Strategic advice: Anticipation of legal risks related to the exercise of leadership functions

How to contest an election within a federation, league, or association?

Contesting an election is based on demonstratingprocedural irregularities: failure to comply with the quorum, irregular convocation, voting conditions that do not comply with the statutes, manipulation of results, or ineligibility of an elected candidate. The appeal may be brought before the internal bodies of the organization (appeals committee, general assembly), before the higher federal authorities (for affiliated organizations), the CNOSF ( French National Olympic and Sports Committee), and then before the courts. The deadlines for contesting elections are generally short: it is advisable to act quickly after the results are announced. We can assist you in identifying irregularities and conducting appeals.

What are the legal risks for a volunteer manager of a sports association?

Volunteer leaders may be held civilly liable in the event of mismanagement that causes harm to the association or to third parties. In certain serious cases (breach of trust, embezzlement, endangering others), they may also be held criminally liable. Rigorous governance, clear statutes defining the powers of each individual, and transparent decision-making procedures are the best protections. We advise managers on these risks and support them in the event of legal proceedings.

Important note : Our positioning, transparency, and absence of conflicts of interest
Cabinet Bertrand primarily defends athletes, coaches, and sports professionals against sports institutions. This long-standing vocation guides our entire practice.
When we provide advice to sports organizations (clubs, associations, companies, investors), we ensure that the assignment does not conflict with the interests of the athletes or professionals we represent elsewhere. Before accepting any audit or structuring assignment, we systematically verify that our intervention will not involve a situation involving an existing or potential client of the firm.

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Why choose Bertrand Law Firm?

Each sports-related issue requires specific legal expertise. Identify the situation that corresponds to your immediate needs. Our lawyers who are experts in sports law will support you with a tailor-made approach, whether your case is urgent or requires a long-term strategy.

OUR DIFFERENTIATING EXPERTISE

52 years of expertise in sports law

Since 1973, we have been supporting all players in French sports. This experience gives us a unique understanding of the challenges of sports governance, beyond the legal aspects alone.

Knowledge of federal practices

Our daily practice before sports authorities gives us concrete knowledge of federal requirements, internal procedures, and electoral mechanisms specific to the sports world.

Defending individuals before institutions

In line with our long-standing position, we prioritize the defense of individuals—athletes, managers, candidates—against institutional decisions. This approach guides our governance advice.

Professional recognition

Gold Trophy 2024 & 2025 — Law Summit (Sports Law)

Gold Medals 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 — Palmarès du Droit

"Essential" ranking — Décideurs Magazine (since 2011)

Conseil juridique des sportifs professionnels et amateurs

OUR METHODOLOGY

Step 1: Assessment of your situation

Analysis of your statutes, governance, or the electoral procedure in question. Identification of compliance issues, irregularities, or risks.

Step 2: Personalized recommendations

Formulation of appropriate recommendations: statutory amendments, electoral strategy, grounds for contestation, or protective measures.

Step 3: Implementation

Drafting of necessary documents, support with procedures (AGM, appeals, declarations), representation before the competent authorities.

Step 4: Follow-up and support

Availability to answer your questions, support during key deadlines, updating your documents, or monitoring the procedures initiated.

Cabinet Bertrand, avocats experts en droit du sport

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Talk to our lawyers

Consultation at our Paris office or via videoconference

Book a call

By videoconference: Free 15-minute initial consultation

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Why anticipate your legal challenges?

Legal prevention: an investment in the sustainability of your organization and the protection of your rights

In the world of sports associations, governance conflicts can paralyze an organization for months. A contested election, poorly drafted statutes, or a non-renewed accreditation can jeopardize the very existence of an association. For leaders, personal liability can have lasting consequences.

Risks avoided through preventive advice

Risks in the absence of legal support:

❌ Inappropriate statutes causing blockages and conflicts

❌ Contested elections paralyzing governance

❌ Applications invalidated due to procedural irregularities

❌ Non-compliance leading to refusal or withdrawal of approval

❌ Subsidies jeopardized or lost due to non-compliance

❌ Personal liability of managers incurred without protection

Objectives of legal support:

✅ Clear statutes tailored to your actual operations

✅ Elections organized in accordance with the rules, with solid results

✅ Applications prepared and legally secure

✅ Administrative compliance ensured and documented

✅ Secure and sustainable financing

✅ Leaders protected by rigorous governance

The economics of anticipation

Preventive advice represents a modest investment compared to the costs of a governance dispute or a canceled election: legal fees, business disruption, loss of subsidies, damage to reputation. Drafting solid bylaws, rigorously preparing elections, and anticipating risks avoids years of litigation and preserves managers' energy for their primary mission: developing sport.

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FAQ: Sports Associations & Institutions

When should we consult a lawyer about the governance of our sports association?

There are several situations that warrant legal consultation: creation of an association (to ensure solid bylaws from the outset), significant changes to the bylaws or internal regulations, preparation for potentially contested elections, conflicts between leaders, oversight or requests from supervisory authorities (prefecture, DRAJES), or requests for accreditation. Regular preventive consultations also allow you to verify that your documents remain compliant with regulatory changes.

How does support for drafting statutes work?

Support begins with a diagnostic interview to understand your structure, your objectives, and your constraints (federal, territorial, historical). We then analyze your existing documents and make recommendations. The actual drafting is done in close collaboration with you, with several rounds of revisions to refine the text. Finally, we assist you with the adoption procedure (extraordinary general meeting) and the reporting formalities (prefecture).

What are the possible remedies for challenging an election in a federation or association?

Remedies vary depending on the structure concerned. Internally, some organizations have an appeals committee or an appeals body. For affiliated structures, an appeal to higher federal authorities may be considered. The CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) can intervene in conciliation for certain disputes relating to federation elections. As a last resort, the judicial court has the power to annul a general meeting decision that is tainted by irregularity. The time limits for contesting are generally short: swift action is essential.

How can we secure public subsidies for our association?

Securing subsidies is based on several pillars: transparent governance (clear statutes, rigorous accounting), regulatory compliance (up-to-date accreditation, reporting obligations met), well-drafted agreements defining precisely how funds are to be used, and justification of the use of subsidies received. A legally sound structure reassures public funders and makes it easier to obtain and renew grants.

Can I get help preparing my candidacy for a federal or league election?

Yes. We assist candidates for elected office in the sports world by verifying eligibility requirements, putting together application files, analyzing applicable statutes and election regulations, identifying legal risks, and preparing strategies in case of opposition challenges. This assistance applies to elections at all levels: federations, regional leagues, departmental committees, districts, and associations.

How much does sports association governance consulting cost?

Fees depend on the nature and complexity of the assignment. A one-off consultation (analysis of statutes, opinion on a specific issue, assessment of an election challenge) is subject to an hourly rate or a flat fee agreed in advance. A comprehensive assignment (drafting statutes, supporting an election process, managing a governance conflict) is subject to a detailed quote before commitment. We offer a free 15-minute initial consultation to assess your situation.

What is the liability of volunteer leaders of a sports association?