webeeui-hero-2-colLegal Audit
Legal Audit for Sports: Secure Your Structure and Your Projects
Compliance, due diligence, creation of a SASP? We analyze and structure your legal issues.
In professional and amateur sports, the legal security of an organization rests on solid foundations: compliant statutes, controlled contracts, clear governance, and compliance with regulatory obligations. A legal audit allows you to identify latent risks, verify compliance with federal and legal requirements, and prepare your development projects with peace of mind.
Since 1973, Cabinet Bertrand has been assisting sports stakeholders in the analysis and legal structuring of their organizations.
Our exclusive expertise in sports law allows us to understand the specific regulations of each discipline and tailor our recommendations to the requirements of federations, leagues, and regulatory authorities.
webeeui-centered-3-colYour Objectives
A legal audit allows you to anticipate risks, structure your projects, and ensure your organization's compliance. Whatever your situation, we support you in securing your legal foundations.
Is your project not listed below? Contact us: every situation is unique.
Regulatory Compliance Audit
Want to verify that your organization complies with all applicable legal and federal obligations?
Projects concerned:
- Compliance with federal regulations (FFF, FFR, FFBB, etc.)
- DNCG and financial commission obligations
- GDPR compliance (player, member, and supporter data)
- Administrative compliance (prefecture, DRAJES)
- Preparation for federal inspections and audits
- …
Creation and structuring of sports companies
Are you planning to create a sports club or restructure your current organization?
Projects concerned:
- Creation of SASPs (professional sports companies)
- Establishment of a SAS or SAOS sports company
- Drafting of agreements between associations and sports companies
- Occupancy and provision agreements
- Legal and asset structuring of clubs
- …
Legal due diligence
Are you planning to acquire, invest in, or take a stake in a sports organization?
Relevant projects:
- Legal analysis prior to the acquisition of a club
- Risk assessment for investors and buyers
- Audit of current contractual commitments
- Analysis of liabilities and potential litigation
- Preparation of merger or consolidation transactions
- …
Contractual audit
Do you want to verify that your contracts effectively protect your interests and comply with regulations?
Projects concerned:
- Analysis of player and coach contracts
- Verification of sponsorship and partnership contracts
- Audit of transfer agreements
- Review of agent and intermediary mandates
- Review of image and exploitation contracts
- Identification of clauses to be renegotiated
- …
Pre-litigation preventive audit
Are you anticipating a risk of conflict and want to identify your strengths and weaknesses before any proceedings?
Projects concerned:
- Preventive analysis of litigation risks
- Assessment of the legal soundness of your position
- Identification of potential points of negotiation
- Preparation of an advance defense case
- Recommendations to avoid escalation of the dispute
- Amicable resolution strategy
- …
Governance and Anti-Corruption Audit
Would you like to verify that your governance is compliant and that your practices meet the integrity requirements of sport?
Projects concerned:
- Analysis of statutes and internal regulations
- Verification of the functioning of governing bodies
- Audit of recruitment and transfer practices
- Evaluation of internal control procedures
- ...
webeeui-left-split-toggleOur Support by Profile
Sports Clubs and Associations
Who do we support?
- Amateur clubs (regional, departmental, all disciplines)
- Local and regional sports associations
- Training facilities and training centers
- Regional committees and leagues
Our services
- ✅ Compliance audit: Verification of compliance with federal regulations and legal obligations
- ✅ Contract analysis: Review of player, coach, and partner contracts
- ✅ Governance audit: Verification of statutes and functioning of bodies
- ✅ GDPR compliance: Protection of licensees' and members' data
- ✅ Structuring support: Preparation for the transition from amateur to professional
When should an amateur club conduct a legal audit?
A legal audit is necessary in several situations: change of management, significant changes to the structure (creation of a professional section, merger), preparation for promotion to a higher division, or simply to periodically verify the organization's compliance. The audit also makes it possible to anticipate federal controls and secure public subsidies by demonstrating rigorous governance.
What does a federal compliance audit check?
The federal compliance audit examines compliance with the sports regulations applicable to your discipline: statutes in accordance with federal requirements, up-to-date internal regulations, reporting obligations met, licenses and qualifications of educators in good standing, approval of facilities. We also verify compliance with DNCG obligations for the clubs concerned and prepare the necessary files for periodic inspections.
Investors and Club Buyers
Who do we support?
- Individual investors or investment funds
- Buyers of professional or amateur clubs
- Partners considering acquiring a stake
Our services
- ✅ Comprehensive due diligence: Exhaustive legal analysis prior to acquisition
- ✅ Risk assessment: Identification of potential liabilities and litigation
- ✅ Regulatory audit: Verification of compliance with sporting requirements
- ✅ Capital analysis: Review of structure and shareholder agreements
- ✅ Transaction support: Legal security for the transaction
What does legal due diligence for the acquisition of a club involve?
Legal due diligence examines all legal aspects of the structure: articles of association and governance, current contracts (players, staff, sponsors, suppliers), pending or potential litigation, regulatory compliance (DNCG, federation), social situation (workforce, collective agreements), intellectual property (trademarks, image rights). The aim is to identify all risks that could affect the value or sustainability of the club.
How long does due diligence for a sports club take?
The duration depends on the size and complexity of the structure. For an amateur club, allow 2 to 4 weeks. For a professional club with numerous contracts and a complex legal history, the analysis can take 6 to 12 weeks. We adapt our methodology to your transaction deadlines while ensuring the completeness of the analysis.
Sports Companies (SASP, SAS, SAOS)
Who do we work with?
- Professional sports companies (SASP)
- Sports-related companies (SAOS, EUSRL)
- SAS and commercial structures related to sports
- Parent associations of sports clubs
Our services
- ✅ Creation of sports companies: Formation of SASPs, SAOSs, or other appropriate legal forms
- ✅ Drafting of agreements: Association/company agreements, provision, occupation
- ✅ Post-creation audit: Verification of compliance after incorporation
- ✅ Restructuring: Support for changes in legal form
- ✅ Post-crisis audit: Post-litigation analysis and preventive recommendations
How do you set up a SASP and what are the steps involved?
Creating an SASP requires several steps: drafting articles of association in accordance with the Sports Code, defining the relationship with the supporting association via an agreement, raising share capital, and registering with the Trade and Companies Register. We support you every step of the way, ensuring compliance with the specific sporting requirements of your discipline and the regulations of your federation.
What is an association/sports club agreement?
The association/sports club agreement organizes the relationship between the supporting association (which retains the federal affiliation number) and the sports club (which operates the professional activity). It defines the terms and conditions for the provision of licensees, the use of facilities, the sharing of rights and obligations, and the financial conditions. This agreement is mandatory and subject to the approval of the relevant federation.
Important note : Our positioning, transparency, and absence of conflicts of interestCabinet Bertrand primarily defends athletes, coaches, and sports professionals in their dealings with 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 entrusted to us 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.
webeeui-nested-featuresWhy 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 DISTINCTIVE EXPERTISE
52 years of exclusive expertise
Since 1973, we have practiced exclusively in sports law. This specialization allows us to master the regulatory subtleties of each discipline and the expectations of sports federations and authorities.
Knowledge of the sporting field
Beyond the law, we understand the challenges of sports: schedules, relationships with authorities, and the operational constraints of clubs. Our recommendations take into account the reality of the field.
Absolute confidentiality
A legal audit reveals sensitive information. We guarantee total discretion regarding your files, in accordance with our code of ethics and the trust you place in us.
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)
OUR METHODOLOGY
Step 1: Scope and boundaries
Preliminary meeting to define the objectives of the audit, the scope of analysis, and the deadlines. Drafting of a clear engagement letter.
Step 2: Document collection
Secure transmission of the necessary documents: articles of association, contracts, minutes, correspondence with authorities, etc.
Step 3: In-depth analysis
Methodical examination of each element in light of legal and regulatory requirements. Identification of risks and points of attention.
Step 4: Report and recommendations
Delivery of a detailed audit report with our findings, risk assessment, and prioritized recommendations.
Step 5: Implementation support
Availability to support corrective actions: drafting documents, negotiations, contractual updates.
webeeui-full-width-brandWhy anticipate your legal challenges?
Legal audit: an investment in security. The legal soundness of a sports organization determines its longevity. An audit allows you to detect weaknesses before they become crises, calmly prepare for changes, and reassure partners, investors, and regulatory authorities.
Risks avoided thanks to preventive advice
Risks in the absence of legal support:
- ❌ Regulatory non-compliance discovered during a federal inspection
- ❌ Latent legal risks threatening the stability of the organization
- ❌ Unclear governance leading to internal conflicts
- ❌ Obsolete contracts or inappropriate clauses
- ❌ Poor coverage of management responsibilities
- ❌ Avoidable sporting or financial sanctions
Objectives of legal support:
- ✅ Verified and documented compliance for audits
- ✅ Risks identified and addressed before they become disputes
- ✅ Clarified and legally secure governance
- ✅ Contracts that are up to date and protect the interests of the organization
- ✅ Peace of mind for executives, shareholders, and partners
- ✅ Enhanced credibility with authorities and investors
The economics of anticipation
The cost of a legal audit is a fraction of the cost of litigation or penalties. A poorly anticipated dispute can mobilize considerable resources: legal fees, emergency attorney fees, executives' time, and impact on the organization's image. A preventive audit secures your foundations and allows you to focus on your sporting mission.
webeeui-faqFAQ: Legal Audit
When should you conduct a legal audit of your sports organization?
A legal audit is necessary in several key situations: change of governance (new management, new shareholders), structural changes (transition from amateur to professional, creation of a company), preparation for a major operation (acquisition, merger, fundraising), or simply on a periodic basis (every 2-3 years) to verify compliance. An audit is also recommended after litigation to identify corrective measures and prevent recurrence.
What does a comprehensive legal audit of a sports club involve?
A comprehensive audit examines several aspects:
- Institutional compliance: Articles of association, internal regulations, functioning of governing bodies
- Regulatory compliance: Compliance with federal regulations, DNCG obligations, licenses
- Contractual analysis: Player contracts, staff, sponsors, service providers, agreements
- Social compliance: Workforce, employment contracts, collective agreements
- GDPR compliance: Protection of licensees' and partners' data
- Litigation risks: Current or potential disputes, statutes of limitations
The audit report presents our findings, risk assessment, and prioritized recommendations.
What is the difference between a legal audit and due diligence?
A legal audit is a compliance analysis of an existing structure, generally commissioned by its managers to verify their own organization. Due diligence is an analysis carried out as part of a transaction (acquisition, investment) on behalf of the potential buyer. Due diligence aims to identify risks that could affect the valuation or constitute obstacles to the transaction. The methodologies are similar, but the objectives and the sponsor differ.
How do you create a SASP to professionalize your club?
The creation of an SASP follows a structured process:
- Drafting of the articles of association: In accordance with the Sports Code and federal regulations
- Agreement with the association: Organization of association/company relations
- Capital formation: Compliance with the minimum capital requirement
- Registration: Registration in the Trade and Companies Register
- Federal validation: Final approval by the federation
We provide support at every stage to ensure compliance and avoid administrative delays.
What is a crisis exit audit?
A crisis exit audit takes place after a dispute or major difficulty (sports sanction, internal conflict). Its purpose is to analyze what happened, identify the flaws that led to the crisis, and make recommendations to prevent it from happening again. It is an organizational learning tool that strengthens the structure for the future.
How does Bertrand guarantee the confidentiality of its audits?
Confidentiality is guaranteed by our professional secrecy as lawyers, one of the most protective forms of secrecy that exists. All documents transmitted, our analyses, and our recommendations are covered by this secrecy. We use secure transmission channels and limit access to files to only the lawyers in charge of the assignment. No information about our clients or their audits can be disclosed without their express consent.
How much does a sports legal audit cost?
The fees for an audit depend on the scope of the analysis and the complexity of the structure. For an amateur club, a basic compliance audit can cost a few thousand euros. For a complete due diligence of a professional club, the budget will be more substantial. We always provide a detailed quote after an initial discussion to define your needs. Our fees are transparent and defined in advance in a letter of engagement.