Vermeersch, An --- "Specificity of sport" [2018] ELECD 549; in Anderson, Jack; Parrish, Richard; García, Borja (eds), "Research Handbook on EU Sports Law and Policy" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 307

Book Title: Research Handbook on EU Sports Law and Policy

Editor(s): Anderson, Jack; Parrish, Richard; García, Borja

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781784719494

Section: Chapter 15

Section Title: Specificity of sport

Author(s): Vermeersch, An

Number of pages: 19

Abstract/Description:

The 2009 Lisbon Treaty endorsed the constitutional recognition of the specificity of sport. Despite its wide recognition, both from a political and a legal perspective, the concept of the specificity of sport remains enfolded by a number of questions. This chapter analyses the origin of the concept and its legal implications. The main contention is that sport is special to a certain extent. The case law of the European Court of Justice and the decision practice of the European Commission take into consideration the peculiarities of sport and provide for sufficient guidance in assessing sporting rules or sporting practices under EU law.