Sport is a very popular area that encompasses the practice of different disciplines and has millions of loyal followers worldwide. It is a regulated activity, prone to situations that require professional assistance from a Sports lawyer so that it helps to resolve them properly.
Our firm, with over 30 years of experience in Madrid, it is made up of lawyers specialising in Sports Law who offer agile and effective advice. Below, we explain in detail what we do and why having a sports lawyer can make all the difference – especially if you are an athlete, part of a club or federation, or manage any sports-related entity.
The Sports Law It is a specific sector of law that has been gaining its own prominence. Initially, it could be perceived as a sum of various branches (civil, labour, commercial, etc.), but nowadays it enjoys recognition as a distinct legal field. This is due to the increase in legislation and jurisprudence. ad hoc for sport. Despite being interrelated with traditional areas of law, sports law has its own particularities: for example, federative regulations, sports tribunals, anti-doping rules, international player transfers, among others. In short, sports law has become a specialised discipline, with professionals prepared to address the specific legal needs of the sports sector.
The Sports lawyer he is a lawyer specialised in that specific area, who can also dedicate themselves to specific categories within this new legal discipline. For example, there are jurists who are interested in the work of legal representation for the signing of sports contracts, and others who dedicate themselves to cases of sporting discipline or to dealing with judicial or arbitration procedural matters when a proceeding is underway.
In any case, the sports lawyer always acts in the best interests of their clients, defending their interests and rights, and seeking the best economic and legal outcome.
He is a lawyer prepared to act in the sports field from a legal perspective, with the application of the corresponding regulations governing activities from different aspects.
At Calderón-Corredera Abogados, we understand that when you're involved in the world of professional sport, you need a legal ally by your side. Our team is prepared to operate within the sporting arena from a legal perspective, correctly applying the rules that govern each sporting activity. Below, we tell you about our Key functions and services as sports lawyers.
The role of a sports lawyer in Madrid
A sports lawyer It has a wide range of functions that are useful not only to the particular athlete who hires their services, but also to sports associations, clubs, institutions and other organisations that promote the practice of sport in any discipline.
Regarding what a sports lawyer does, several special functions can be defined, among which we will mention the most important ones:
- Professional legal advice for professional athletes, clubs, sports associations and federations, etc.
- Defence of athletes when subject to disciplinary sanctions.
- Negotiation of sponsorship and endorsement contracts.
- Legal aspects relating to the planning of sports events.
- Hiring and agreement for athlete remuneration.
- Defence of the rights and interests of natural and legal persons in any judicial or arbitration proceedings relating to the legal framework of sports law.
- Providing legal assistance to their clients, who may be athletes, coaches or managers, with regard to employment relations, social security and other aspects related to the employment relationship.
- Management of administrative procedures and sports financial advice. We also assist in obtaining federation licences and other necessary authorisations for sports practice.
Common situations where we intervene: contract reviews, disputes over improper alignment, a coach's non-compete clauses, disputes over agent commissions, wage claims against a club…
It is a broad field that sports lawyer will address for the effective fulfilment of your duties in this important area. These are situations with which, if you play any sport, you will surely feel identified in some way.
It is not easy to determine how much a sports lawyer charges, as it will depend on the contracts and agreements they make with their clients. The conditions are not usually the same for lawyers working for sports clubs as for those assisting an athlete in a specific lawsuit.
When you're involved in the wonderful world of sport, at a professional level, You will need the support of a lawyer specialising in sports law.; Therefore, you should always have one near you to help you resolve your legal matters.
A good lawyer specialised in sports law knows the legislation what applies to each case that may arise and the way to act diligently and promptly so as not to miss a good opportunity or to defend your client from any undesirable situation, and that is definitely what you need.
Doping in the world of sports and in Madrid
There are many legal cases that revolve around athletes, associations and disciplines that are not so well-known, but those that undoubtedly always attract attention are those related to the doping of famous high-performance athletes. It's a subject that a lawyer representing professional footballers can easily encounter.
The lawyer specialising in sports law In Madrid, it faces two sides of the same coin when it comes to doping cases: on the one hand, to advise the federation or association what a disciplinary procedure should instruct against a potential offender and take decisions; on the other hand, defend the accused athlete in the said disciplinary proceedings, safeguarding their rights.
It's a rather delicate subject. While it's true that there's established legislation to prevent the use of prohibited substances or illegal methods to enhance an athlete's performance, it's also true that sometimes analyses can confuse certain permitted substances and yield erroneous results that unfairly compromise the person being tested.
It may also happen that the sanctions applied against an offender who has been confirmed to have used prohibited substances are disproportionate, and the sports lawyer must act in defence of their client's interests to reduce them as much as possible, in accordance with current regulations.
Has that happened to you? If you are an athlete and have gone through the nightmare of a doping investigation, you know how important it is to have a specialist lawyer by your side during those difficult times. You are not alone; we can help you appeal unfair sanctions or properly manage your case before the relevant sports tribunals.
At Calderón-Corredera Abogados, we are proud to offer a Comprehensive and friendly sports legal service. We know that it’s not enough to know the laws: you have to understand the world of sport from the inside. What makes us special in this field?
One of our partners is a sports lawyer in Madrid, Alberto Pérez-Calderón Corredera, who has directed the investigation of sports disciplinary proceedings on multiple occasions at the Spanish Football Federation. This direct experience at the heart of sport gives us a unique perspective. We understand the internal procedures of federations and clubs, and that leads to better advice for our clients.
Sports law advice covers a vast territory, fusing areas of human knowledge with different sports disciplines. We offer comprehensive advice backed by an experienced team and a multidisciplinary approach.
Our Master's in Sports Law places us at the forefront of sports legal advice, providing specific solutions tailored to the legal complexities of each discipline. Trust us to successfully navigate the complex legal landscape of sports.
Specifically, we can effectively represent athletes, coaches, managers, and anyone involved in sporting disciplinary proceedings, including doping cases. We have also lectured on Sports Law training at universities and authored specialised publications, contributing to the advancement of this field. We maintain a constant updateWe have an in-depth understanding of the regulations of international sports bodies (FIFA, UEFA, IOC, CAS, etc.) and national bodies (Supreme Council for Sports, Spanish federations), ensuring our clients comply with all regulatory requirements and avoid sanctions due to ignorance. Trust us to successfully navigate the complex sports legal landscape.
Some of the disciplinary proceedings in which we have intervened as Sports law solicitor in Madrid are the following:
- ZIDANE CASE – Defence in the case following a high-profile sporting incident.
- Al-Thani Case – Advice on disciplinary proceedings against a director of a Premier League football club.
- The Muniain, San José and Raúl García Case – Intervention in disciplinary proceedings for professional players.
- IAGO ASPAS CASE – Legal defence in an arbitration claim.
Whether it's a federation or association that needs to implement sports disciplinary procedures, or a club, athlete, coach or executive who has been notified of the opening of disciplinary proceedings, do not hesitate to contact us.
All public limited sports companies require comprehensive legal advice to navigate the complex legal framework of the sports sector.
It is important for an athlete to have a sports lawyer in Madrid for several reasons.
When a person decides to dedicate their life to sport and live solely for it, they are making a commitment to that lifestyle and to those who share it. There are many legal factors involved when an athlete has undertaken such an obligation, and these should always be handled with the support of a good team of lawyers with expertise in sports law compliance.
Imagine, for example, that you are a football player with high potential and you are scouted by an agent or a club that wants to sign you. So far, it all sounds very good, but what happens if when you sign the contract you don't know exactly what it says and you commit to doing things you wouldn't do. It's not the best situation, is it? At Calderón Corredera Abogados, we know this.
Therefore, you always have to count on a good Sports lawyer in Madrid that they always advise their client at the signing of the contract and avoid committing to a role that requires them to perform actions they do not wish to undertake or carry out activities that could affect their future professional performance.
A lawyer will always review the contract in detail, It will evaluate each of the clauses present, including those written in such small print that they are almost illegible, will make the necessary observations, and will help you always make the best decision.
For all of that, you should always have one with you at all times.
Moreover, a specialist lawyer ensures you don't miss any important steps: for example, processing your federation licence in good time, complying with transfer regulations if you change clubs, verifying that your club is correctly registering you with Social Security, etc. They also help you to Obtain the best benefits in every negotiation whatever you are facing (whether it's a new contract, a renewal, a sponsorship contract, etc.), always within the legal framework and complying with current regulations.
Our team has handled numerous successful cases advising sportspeople and sports entities, ensuring regulatory compliance and efficiency in the administrative management of their affairs. We put all that expertise at your disposal.
A good sports lawyer in Madrid should possess a deep understanding of sports law, including regulations, contracts, and dispute resolution within the sports industry. They should also be familiar with the specific legal landscape of Spain and Madrid, including any relevant regional laws or federation rules. Strong negotiation skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proactive approach to client representation are also essential. Furthermore, a good sports lawyer will have a solid network within the sports community in Madrid, which can be invaluable for resolving issues and facilitating deals. Integrity, along with a passion for sports, will ensure they represent their clients' best interests effectively.
The lawyer dealing with sports matters is not just any lawyer who simply applies the law; they must possess a series of important characteristics that set them apart from other legal professionals in Madrid.
One of the main characteristics that should be possessed Your sports law firm is one that must be known in depth topics relating to their practice and the corresponding legislation that regulates it.
Additionally, you must be fully aware of how to adapt and apply a wide range of legal areas specific to sports and their various disciplines. It is a requirement. fundamental que un abogado deportivo desarrolle para poder actuar con plena capacidad.
Much of what happens in the world of sport is of interest to the press, and lawyers in Madrid must maintain discretion, respect the confidentiality afforded to them, and not divulge anything they see, hear, or discover during their work with the athlete or the association that hired them.
It is fundamental that the sports lawyer always respects this aspect. and even more so if you are looking to become a professional of respect and recognition in that difficult and highly competitive world.
Although it is true that a lawyer does not score goals or throw themselves onto the pitch, they must to know in detail all the information which forms part of the environment of its clients and potential defendants, so speaking the same language is essential in sports.
The lawyer must know everything not only about the regulations and rules surrounding the client's practice, but also about history, customs, fashions, relevant news, and anything else related to the activities. This helps them to understand potential problems from the inside and how to deal with them better.
Sports law advice is essential for understanding the unique characteristics of this legal area. It involves an understanding of sports activity and its intersection with administrative law.
Existing sports legislation does not entirely satisfy the demands that arise in the sports arena with each discipline and speciality, which is why one must always question the application of laws from other areas of law in an attempt to fill those legal loopholes that do not cover existing needs.
In this way, new perspectives and solutions are also brought, which, little by little, fill those gaps in legal regulations and leave so many things unresolved. It's a way of to advance the study of sports law and apply legal tools that can serve to help others in the future.
In conclusion, the Sporting law advice requires understanding the unique characteristics of this legal area. A good sports lawyer combines legal knowledge with passion for sport and its values. Only then can you truly put yourself in the client's shoes (be they an athlete, club, or federation) and offer them an effective service.
Do you need to tell us your case? Our expert lawyers specialise in sports law. We offer, for example, comprehensive advice in Sports arbitration for associations and federations, representation before the Administrative Sports Court (TAD) and other bodies, defence in disciplinary committees, and more. Contact us with no obligation if you need help! We would be delighted to hear about your situation and provide legal guidance.
How does one become a sports lawyer?
Most sports law experts years ago didn't study a specialised Master's degree in sports law, but rather were professionals who prepared themselves through the analysis and interpretation of legal instruments applicable to sport, with practical experience, and with the research and adaptation of existing legal regulations to that area.
Fortunately, this has changed in recent years: today in Spain you can already find different options for Postgraduate degree and master's specialised in Sports Law. In fact, several members of our team have high-level training in this subject, which reflects how this field is becoming increasingly professionalised.
In general, this type of lawyer is in constant preparation., Always learning from sport and its environment, with changing information that you must adapt to your functions within your legal practice in sport.
Work areas in Madrid and the rest of the world
The field of work for a sports lawyer is very broad and varied. Some of the environments in which we typically practise include:
- Specialised dispatch and sports consultancy: Like ours, where we dedicate all resources to customers in the sports sector.
- Sports federations, leagues and clubs: Many sports lawyers work within or for these entities, managing their daily legal affairs (player contracts, registrations, transfers, regulatory compliance, licensing, etc.).
- Professional leagues and international competitions: Providing legal support to organisations managing championships, tournaments, multinational events.
- Sponsoring and sports marketing companies: Advising on the drafting of sponsorship agreements, brand usage, promotional events…
- Sports agency (agents/intermediaries) Some sports lawyers act as agents or work closely with them, handling contract negotiations for their clients, managing image rights, etc.
- Public Sports Administration There are sports lawyers who work in public bodies drafting regulations, resolving club appeals, etc.
- e-Sports and new forms of sport From the regulation of e-Sports competitions, the protection of minors in competitive video games, to contracts for gamers with professional teams or sponsors.
In conclusion, a Sports lawyer It is an essential element in the career of every athlete, in the development of any sports organisation, and in ensuring compliance with existing sporting and traditional regulations.
Now you know all about this professional. If you need a Sports lawyer in Madrid Don't hesitate to offer quality advice: Contact Calderón-Corredera Abogados. We are ready to provide you with legal support in any sports-related matter you require, from resolving a contractual problem to assisting you with proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Our services encompass advice and assistance on legal matters related to various sports disciplines, from athletics to Valencian pilota.
We have extensive knowledge of sports arbitration, working closely with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to provide fair and effective solutions.
Furthermore, we handle various complex matters, from the exploitation of image rights to the regulation of sports agents and doping cases in athletes.
Trust our experience: we will offer you support both in the Sports tribunals as in civil or labour matters where applicable, resolving your legal affairs in this specific area effectively.
We look forward to seeing you at our sports law office to help you develop your passion for sport without any legal hitches. Contact us with no obligation and let's discuss your case! Your well-being and success, on and off the pitch, will always be our goal.