Sports Law Introduction

Sport, as an individual and collective pursuit, is considered as an influential factor in life since it produces healthy personal development and qualities within societies. These factors are recognized in the Preamble to the new Law. So, In 1999 a new sports law

(L. 2725/1999) came into operation in Greece. This created a new era in the develop

ment of sport and its governance . The new Sport Law addresses the inadequacies of the old statute. It distinguishes between professional and amateur sport and provides improved dispute mechanisms for the resolution of offences and disputing connected to sport. It also placed professional athletes on the same footing as employees under Greek employment law.

The new law deals with the following issues:

- creation of regulatory bodies to organize sporting activities;
- the independence of sporting organizations;
- it separates the amateur sporting activity from the professional activity and regulates sporting entertainment;
- rules that establish a transparency in the organization of the game and the ad judicatory process with the intention of benefiting athletes and clubs;
- rules to expedite judgments;
- recognition of the idea of ‘sport for all’ as a fundamental right of the citizens and as an obligation of the State;
- guaranteeing participation by the disabled in sporting activities;
- the recognition of commercial activity in sport;
- the protection of athletes’ rights in employment and contract law.

In this report, we try to present all the main topics of Greek Sports Law in order to help the reader comprehend Greek Sports Law, using the method of questionnaire. We include all the potential queries that a reader has, when thinking of Greek Sports

Law. All in all, we are certain that this report will be a useful tool, not only for those who are professionally occupied with Sports Law, but also for those who are engaged in sports in a practical manner.