webeeui-hero-2-colSports Litigation
Disciplinary, regulatory and financial procedures
Disciplinary procedures and sanctions
Sports authorities have wide-ranging powers to impose sanctions, including summonses to appear before a disciplinary commission, suspensions, fines, deregistration and bans on practice. From warnings to disbarment, we defend athletes, coaches, staff and amateur clubs before all disciplinary commissions of federations, leagues and districts, at first instance and on appeal.
Regulatory and evocation procedures
License, transfer, reserve, complaint, homologation, points withdrawal, relegation, etc.: regulatory commissions apply sports regulations, sometimes with far-reaching consequences. We also intervene in evocation procedures, when a higher authority takes up a case to examine it or aggravate a sanction.
Financial control (DNCG)
Has your club been subject to an unfavorable management audit? Demotion, financial sanction, recruitment ban, wage bill restrictions, etc.: we can help you defend your club's interests and prepare appeals before the management bodies of federations and leagues (DNCG, DNACG, A2R, etc.).
webeeui-centered-3-colYour issues
Sports commission proceedings can arise at any time in your career. Whatever your situation, we analyze the facts, the applicable regulations and the avenues of appeal to build your defense.
Is your case not listed below? Contact us: each case is unique.
Disciplinary procedure
Have you been summoned to appear before a disciplinary commission? Have you received a disciplinary sanction that you feel is unfair or disproportionate?
Situations concerned:
- Warning, reprimand, call to order
- Financial fine
- Temporary suspension (matches, season)
- Suspended or suspended sanction
- Disqualification (coach, manager, referee)
- Striking off or permanent exclusion
- Infringement of the disciplinary scale
- ...
Regulatory procedure
Have you been penalized by a regulatory commission? Is your transfer blocked, your license refused, or penalized by a reserve or evocation case?
Situations concerned:
- Problems with transfers or player, educator, referee or manager licenses
- Registration for competition, promotion or relegation
- Contested homologation of sporting results
- Reservation, complaint and evocation procedure
- Violation of statutes and competition rules
- Infringement of general or sporting regulations,
- ...
Financial procedure (DNCG)
Is your club being audited by the Direction Nationale de Contrôle de Gestion? Are you facing a financial penalty?
Situations concerned:
- Unfavorable DNCG, DNACG or A2R control
- Financial downgrading
- Prohibition on recruitment or promotion
- Payroll restrictions
- Budgetary sanctions,
- Infringement of accounting provisions, control procedures, production of documents, etc.
- ...
Relegation or withdrawal of points
Is your club threatened with administrative or sporting relegation? Have points been withdrawn following a federal decision?
Situations concerned:
- Sporting or administrative relegation
- Withdrawal of ranking points
- Exclusion from competition
- Non-homologation of results
- Forced withdrawal
- ...
Internal Association Litigation
Are you a member of an amateur club and the subject of an internal disciplinary procedure? Has your membership status been called into question?
Situations concerned:
- Deregistration and exclusion of members
- Suspension of associative rights
- Challenging an executive or AGM decision
- Internal governance disputes
- ...
Disciplinary sanctions in the workplace
Are you an employed athlete or trainer whose employer (club) is initiating disciplinary proceedings against you?
Situations concerned :
- Employer's warning or reprimand
- Protective or disciplinary layoff, prior interview
- Procedure for permanent dismissal or early termination of fixed-term contract for serious misconduct
- ...
webeeui-left-split-toggleOur services by profile
Professional and amateur athletes
Who do we represent?
- Team sports: Football, Basketball, Rugby, Handball, Volleyball, Hockey, Futsal,...
- Individual sports: Tennis, Athletics, Cycling, Swimming, Boxing, Riding, Golf, etc.
- All levels: Professional, semi-professional, amateur, young trainees
Our support
- ✅ Disciplinary commission defense: preparation of case file, representation, pleading
- ✅ Challenging sanctions: Legal analysis, appeals, requests for reprieve
- ✅ Regulatory procedures: Blocked transfers, refused registrations, reserve cases
- ✅ Evocation procedures: Defense when a case is referred to a higher authority
- ✅ CNOSF appeals: Compulsory prior conciliation, arbitration procedure
- ✅ Administrative appeals: Administrative tribunal, summary proceedings, excess of power
I've been summoned to appear before my federation's disciplinary commission. What should I do?
You generally have a short period of time in which to prepare your defense and submit written observations. It's essential to analyze the grievances immediately, gather the evidence you need and prepare a structured argument. As soon as you receive your summons, we can help you optimize your defense and, if necessary, represent you at the hearing before the commission.
My sanction is disproportionate to the facts. Can I contest it?
Yes, the principle of proportionality of sanctions is a general principle of law applicable to sports disciplinary proceedings. If the sanction imposed appears excessive in view of the facts, circumstances or your personal situation, we can appeal to the relevant appeals commission, invoking this principle. There is a large body of favorable case law.
Coaches, technical staff and supervisors
Who do we represent?
- Head and assistant coaches, all sports and all levels
- Physical and mental trainers
- Medical staff (doctors, physiotherapists, osteopaths)
- Educators and trainers
Our support
- ✅ Federal disciplinary sanctions: suspensions, bans on practice, disbarments
- ✅ Employer disciplinary sanctions: warnings, layoffs, dismissal procedures
- ✅ Challenging decisions: Appeal commissions, CNOSF, administrative courts
- ✅ Regulatory procedures: License renewals, qualifications, equivalencies
- ✅ Professional liability: Challenge following an incident, criminal defense if necessary
My club has notified me of a precautionary layoff following an incident, what are my rights?
A precautionary layoff must be followed swiftly by a disciplinary procedure (summons to a preliminary interview). During this period, you retain your rights as an employee, but are removed from your duties. We check that the procedure is in order, prepare your defense at the preliminary interview and, if an unjustified sanction is pronounced, initiate the appropriate appeals before the Conseil de prud'hommes (industrial tribunal).
I'm a trainer and the federation is suspending me for comments I made at a press conference. Is this legal?
Federations have disciplinary powers that are governed by their regulations. However, this power must respect freedom of expression and the principle of proportionality. We analyze the applicable regulations, the nature of the alleged remarks and the circumstances to determine whether the sanction is questionable. Numerous suspensions have been annulled or reduced by appeal bodies or administrative courts.
Amateur Clubs and Sports Associations
Who do we represent?
- Amateur clubs (regional, departmental, all disciplines)
- Local sports associations
- Training structures
Our support
- ✅ Disciplinary disputes: Sanctions against the club, managers, teams
- ✅ Regulatory disputes: registrations, licenses, homologations, reserve cases
- ✅ Evocation procedures: Defense when the federation takes up a league or district case
- ✅ Financial procedures: DNCG pro and amateur (DNACG, A2R), management control, budget management
- ✅ Sporting sanctions: relegation, withdrawal of points, exclusion from competition
- ✅ CNOSF and administrative appeals: conciliation, arbitration, administrative tribunal
Our club has had points deducted following an incident with the opposing club. How do we contest?
The withdrawal of points must be based on an applicable regulation and respect a contradictory procedure. We analyze the decision, check the regularity of the procedure and the evidence used, and then appeal to the appropriate appeals committee. If the withdrawal appears unfounded or disproportionate, we request that it be cancelled or reduced.
What is an evocation procedure and how can I defend myself against it?
The evocation procedure enables a federal body to take up a case :
- either directly, even if the disputed match or sporting event has not been the subject of a reservation or complaint, but on condition that the match has not been homologated, de facto or de jure (generally, within one month)
- was initially dealt with by a lower authority (regional league, district).
We intervene as soon as you are notified that a case has been referred to us, to prepare an appropriate defense and put forward your arguments before the body that has taken over the case.
Internal Disciplinary Litigation
Situations covered
- Expulsion of a member by decision of the Board or General Meeting
- Exclusion of a member for disciplinary reasons
- Suspension of associative rights
- Challenging decisions by governing bodies
- Support for administrative staff
Our support
- ✅ Analysis of bylaws and internal regulations: Verification of applicable procedure
- ✅ Defense before associative bodies: Bureau, board of directors, general meeting
- ✅ Legal remedies: annulment of irregular decisions, reinstatement
- ✅ Mediation and negotiation: amicable resolution of internal conflicts
I'm a member of an amateur club and the board has expelled me without hearing me. Is this decision valid?
A decision to expel a member must comply with the association's bylaws and the principle of adversarial proceedings. If you have not been summoned, heard or given the opportunity to present your defense, the decision can be overturned by the legal court. We analyze your club's articles of association and the procedure followed to determine the remedies available to you.
webeeui-three-tiersBodies and jurisdictions we represent you before
Cabinet Bertrand represents you before all the competent authorities in disciplinary, regulatory and financial matters, ethics, corruption, etc., from local to international level.
🇫🇷 French sports authorities
Federal commissions
- Disciplinary commissions (FFF, FFR, FFBB, FFT, FFHB, FFVB, etc.)
- Regulatory commissions, statutes, ethics, etc.
- Federal appeal commissions
Professional leagues
- Commissions of the LFP, LNR, LNB, LNH, ...
- Legal, disciplinary, regulatory, ethics commissions, etc.
Financial control
- DNCG
- DNACG
- A2R
- Federal Appeals Commission
CNOSF
- Mandatory prior conciliation
- Optional conciliation
- Arbitration procedure
🌍 International sports bodies
FIFA (Football Tribunal)
- Disciplinary Committee
- Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC)
- Players' Status Chamber (PSC)
- Agents' Chamber
- Clearing House
Other federations & international bodies
- ITIA (Tennis Anti-Corruption Program - TACP)
- FIBA (Disciplinary Board, Arbitration Tribunal, etc.)
- World Rugby
- International federations of individual sports
CAS / CAS Lausanne
- Ordinary arbitration procedure
- Ad-hoc chamber (JO - IOC)
- Appeals against international disciplinary decisions
Sports Resolutions (London)
- Integrity & Discipline
⚖️ State courts
Administrative courts
- Administrative court (appeals against federal decisions)
- Annulment proceedings
- Compensation proceedings
- Administrative Court of Appeal
Judicial courts
- Industrial tribunal (employer disciplinary sanctions)
- Tribunal judiciaire (associative litigation)
- Court of appeal
Emergency procedures
- Administrative summary proceedings (suspension of sanctions)
- Interim suspension
- Référé liberté
- Judicial interim injunction (manifestly unlawful disturbance)
webeeui-nested-featuresWhy choose Cabinet Bertrand?
Every sports-related issue requires specific legal expertise. Identify below the situation that corresponds to your immediate needs. Our expert sports lawyers 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 exclusive practice in sports law
Cabinet Bertrand has been involved in disciplinary and regulatory litigation since 1973. This long-standing experience gives us in-depth knowledge of federal regulations, commission practices and applicable case law.
A unique case law database
More than 8,000 cases handled since the firm was founded constitute an invaluable resource for anticipating decisions and building solid arguments.
Professional recognition
- Trophée d'Or 2024 & 2025 - Sommet du Droit (Sports Law)
- Gold Medals 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 - Palmarès du Droit (Law Awards)
- Incontournable" ranking - Décideurs Magazine (since 2011)
OUR METHODOLOGY
1. Immediate analysis
As soon as we receive your summons or the contested decision, we analyze the grievances, applicable regulations and appeal deadlines.
2. Defense strategy
We draw up an appropriate strategy: defense before the commission, negotiation of a reduced sanction, or preparation of the appeal.
3. Representation and pleading
We represent you before the relevant sports commissions and courts, with a structured and documented argument.
4. Appeal follow-up
In the event of an unfavorable decision, we file the appropriate appeals (appeal, CNOSF, administrative tribunal) within the allotted deadlines.
webeeui-faqFAQ : Disciplinary and Regulatory
How long does it take to contest a disciplinary sanction?
Deadlines vary according to federal regulations, but they are generally short: 2 or 7, 10 or 15 days (most often just 7 days!) from notification of the decision to lodge an appeal with the relevant appeals commission. After that, the appeal is inadmissible. For appeals before the CNOSF or the administrative courts, other deadlines apply: 15 days for the CNOSF and ONE month for the Administrative Court. It is imperative to contact us as soon as you receive the decision so as not to let the deadlines expire.
Can I ask for my sanction to be suspended pending a decision on the merits of my appeal?
Yes, in certain cases. Before the administrative courts, you can lodge an application for interim suspension on two conditions: firstly, there must be a situation of urgency and secondly, there must be serious doubt as to the legality of the contested decision. Before certain sports appeal commissions, requests for suspension of execution are also possible under certain conditions. We systematically evaluate this option in the light of your situation.
My club is the subject of an unfavorable DNCG inspection. What are the possible consequences?
The Direction Nationale de Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG) for soccer, or Autorité de Régulation du Rugby (A2R) for rugby, can impose various measures depending on the seriousness of the financial situation: wage bill restrictions, a ban on recruitment, temporary demotion or a definitive sanction. These decisions can be appealed before the DNCG appeals committee. We support clubs in preparing their files, presenting them to the commission and, if necessary, lodging appeals.
A reserve has been lodged against my team after a match. How can we defend ourselves?
A reserve case (or complaint) is a procedure whereby a club contests the conditions under which a match was played, or the legality of the participation and/or qualification of an opposing player. If a protest is lodged against your team, you will be called before the appropriate regulatory committee. We analyze the merits of the complaint, prepare your defense and represent you before the commission to have the case dismissed or to limit the consequences.
I'm a volunteer director of an amateur club and I've been the subject of a federal sanction. Am I affected?
Yes, volunteer managers (licensees or de facto licensees) of amateur clubs may be subject to federal disciplinary sanctions (suspension, bench ban, ban on functions, etc.) in the same way as athletes or coaches. Federal regulations generally specify the offences and sanctions applicable to managers. We defend you before the relevant disciplinary commissions.
What is the difference between a disciplinary commission and a regulatory commission?
Disciplinary commissions rule on breaches of rules of conduct and ethics (violence, insults, unsportsmanlike behavior, etc.) and impose sanctions (suspensions, fines, striking off). The regulatory commission (or legal commission, statutes commission) deals with issues relating to the application of sporting regulations: transfers, registrations, qualifications, homologations, reserve cases. Both types of commission can have a significant impact on your sporting situation.
How much does it cost to defend myself before a sports disciplinary commission?
Fees depend on the complexity of the case, the body involved and the diligence required. We offer a free 15-minute initial consultation to assess your situation. At the end of this consultation, we provide you with a fee agreement detailing the cost of our intervention. For members of partner unions (UNFP, UNECATEF, AGJ), special conditions may apply.
Can I be assisted by a lawyer at a hearing before a sports disciplinary commission?
Yes, under the standard disciplinary regulations of the French Sports Code, the general regulations of French sports federations guarantee the right to legal counsel (lawyer or other) during disciplinary proceedings. This right derives from the principle of adversarial proceedings and the rights of the defense, recognized by the Code du sport and administrative jurisprudence. We accompany and represent you before all disciplinary commissions, both at first instance and on appeal.
Can a sports disciplinary sanction be overturned by the administrative court?
Yes, the decisions of sports federations delegated to provide a public service can be appealed to the administrative court on grounds of ultra vires. Grounds for annulment include procedural error, error of law, manifest error of assessment or disproportionate sanction. The appeal must be lodged within ONE month of notification of opposition to the conciliation notice/proposal (obtained under the compulsory prior conciliation procedure). Please note that, as a general rule, appeals to the Administrative Court are only admissible once all internal remedies have been exhausted.
What is the difference between a suspended sanction and a firm sanction in sports disciplinary law?
A firm sanction is applied immediately and in full. A suspended sanction suspends enforcement: if no new offence is committed during the suspended period, the sanction is not enforced. In the event of a repeat offence, the suspended sentence may be revoked and the penalty added to that imposed for the new offence. Obtaining a suspended sentence is often a strategic objective for the defense.