2026 Sports Agent Reform: What the New Law Means for Your Business
The law of 3 August 2026 brings sweeping changes to the legal framework governing sports agents. A new professional card, tighter rules for scouts and business introducers, harsher penalties, and stronger protection for minor athletes: this major reform of the French Sports Code requires sports agents — and agent companies — to thoroughly review their practices and contracts. As a sports […]
Early termination of a professional athlete’s fixed-term contract for serious misconduct
In a ruling handed down on 7 October 2025 (No. 24/01743), in a case between a professional basketball player, represented by Mrs. BRUIN, and his former basketball club, the Nîmes Court of Appeal decided in particular that the employing club, having terminated the professional athlete’s fixed-term contract for serious misconduct, including alleged physical threats and […]
The use of fixed-Term Contracts (CDD) in football: Review of the Paris Court of Appeal decision of 19 June 2025
On 19 June 2025, the Paris Court of Appeal issued a ruling in a case between player Adrien Rabiot and the Paris Saint-Germain football club. In its decision, the Court ordered the reclassification of successive fixed-term contracts (CDD) into an open-ended contract (CDI). This decision provides the opportunity to have a look at the conditions […]
Jurisprudence of FIFA and CAS regarding the obligations of a Football Club in hiring a Player
The football club, in its capacity as employer, is required to undertake all necessary administrative steps to obtain a work visa and to register the professional player. As an employer, a football club has the responsibility to carry out all necessary procedures to obtain a work visa and register a professional player. Beyond the obligation […]
Food supplement contamination and reduction of a ban imposed on an athlete sanctioned by the AFLD for doping
The firm recently assisted a rugby player before the AFLD (Agence Française de Lutte contre le Dopage) Commission des sanctions. The athlete was prosecuted following a positive doping test during training. The firm’s support throughout the procedure enabled the rugby player to obtain a significant reduction of the ban, which was reduced to […]
Focus on the application for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in a doping case.
Me Audrey BRUIN recently assisted a professional athlete before the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), who was initially facing a two-year suspension for ingesting Terbutaline (a substance used to treat asthma). The firm’s defense of the athlete before the AFLD enabled the suspension to be reduced from 2 years to 3 months. As part of the […]
Conference on the tax imposition of athletes in an international context
On March 8, 2024, Me Audrey BRUIN took part in the Conference on the tax imposition of athletes in an international context, at the University of Lyon 3. On March 8, 2024, Audrey BRUIN took part in the Conference on the tax imposition of athletes in an international context, in Lyon, under the direction of […]
Anti-doping rules: understanding sanctions, legal consequences and the role of the sports lawyer
Fair play and integrity are fundamental values of sport. They guarantee fair competition in which every athlete can demonstrate his or her skills on an equal footing. However, doping threatens these essential values. By using banned substances to enhance their performance, athletes who use doping substances, transgress these principles, compromising the fairness of competition and undermining confidence […]
Audrey BRUIN’s firm assists athletes before the AFLD
Audrey BRUIN recently intervened before the AFLD in two proceedings between professional athletes and the AFLD following doping controls. The firm assisted the athletes throughout the proceedings initiated by the AFLD, and also assisted them during the hearings held before the AFLD Sanction Commission. Audrey BRUIN regularly assists athletes with doping cases. Numerous products, including […]
Football coach-related disputes : Incapacity following an accident and payment of wages
A football coach, who is the victim of a serious accident that leaves him off work for several months, is entitled to receive, during this period of incapacity, payment of his monthly salaries. He is also entitled to be reimbursed for medical expenses incurred. The firm BRUIN Avocat is delighted to have assisted the US […]