Football Australia sets up Independent Complaint Process following abuse allegations

Football Australia has established an independent complaints process following recent allegations of abuse by former international Lisa De Vanna.

Independent complaint handling process confirmed for Football Australia

Football Australia, Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal have today confirmed they will develop an independent complaint handling process to manage reports raised in relation to Football Australia’s national teams and the A-Leagues.

Players’ Status Department Report highlights landmark 2020/2021 season

FIFA has today published the second report on the activities of its Players’ Status Department (PSD), covering the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

WADA’s Africa Office hosts African Partnership Forum

This week, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Africa Office, in cooperation with the Agency’s NADO/RADO Relations Department, hosted a virtual African Partnership Forum to enhance National Anti-Doping Organizations’ (NADOs’) partnerships and cooperation in the region. The Forum gathered representatives from developing and established NADOs (both from the African region and beyond), as well as other partner organizations that are key to the ongoing development and implementation of anti-doping programs in Africa.

iNADO Project: Overview of 20 years of research funded by WADA and PCC

INADO is presenting the results of a two-month project about social and scientific research on anti-doping in the last 20 years, funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Partnership Competition Partnership (PCC), up to $83 million and $29 million each

US Soccer appoints former Deputy Attorney General to lead sexual misconduct investigation

Former United States Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates has been appointed by US Soccer to lead an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The National Football League, The NFL Players Association and Dapper Labs Announce New NFT Deal to Create Exclusive Digital Video Highlights

Innovative digital experience spanning the NFL, all 32 clubs and players will empower fans to purchase, trade, and own NFTs featuring some of the most exciting and favorite in-game plays

Disciplinary charges, responses and suspensions for September 2021

SURROUNDING OF A MATCH OFFICIAL (FAST TRACK 2) – STANDARD CASE
Derby County FC, English Football League Championship 

Sheffield United FC v Derby County FC 
English Football League Championship 
24 September 2021

Munsey and Budge fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Scotland players George Munsey and Dylan Budge have both been fined 15 per cent of their match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match against Papua New Guinea in Muscat on Wednesday.

The ITA issues a decision sanctioning Ning Liu to a lifetime period of ineligibility for administration of prohibited substances and complicity

The International Testing Agency (ITA) reports that it has issued a decision to sanction former doctor of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association, Ning Liu to a lifetime period of ineligibility for anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) of administration and complicity.

FIFA statement on recent reports in the US made by several players

FIFA is deeply concerned by the recent reports in the US made by several players.  Due to the severity and seriousness of the allegations being made by players, we can confirm that FIFA’s judicial bodies are actively looking into the matter and have opened a preliminary investigation.   As part of this, FIFA will be reaching out to the respective parties, including US Soccer and NWSL, for further information about the various safeguarding concerns and allegations of abuse that have been raised.

Connecticut awards Genius Sports inaugural sports betting license

U.S. Cycling Athlete Matt McWhirter Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Matt McWhirter, of Scottsdale, Ariz., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has received a four-year suspension for an anti-doping rule violation.

McWhirter was subject to testing due to his membership in USA Cycling, which maintains the RaceClean Program that works to deter doping in the sport of cycling. The goal of the RaceClean Program is to create a level playing field from the grassroot to elite level of cycling.

Statement on the incident involving Belarusian athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya at Tokyo 2020

Further to the incident involving Belarusian athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the decision taken by the IOC to cancel and remove the accreditations of the two coaches, Messrs A. Shimak and Y. Maisevich, as a provisional measure during the Games, the IOC and World Athletics have jointly agreed to continue the investigation and to open a formal procedure vis-à-vis the two aforementioned coaches. 

The ITA issues decision sanctioning Azerbaijan weightlifter Boyanka Kostova to 8-year period of ineligibility

The International Testing Agency (ITA) reports that it has issued a decision to sanction Azerbaijan weightlifter Boyanka Minkova Kostova with a period of ineligibility of 8 years for an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) for the presence of a prohibited steroid.

International Basketball Migration Report 2021 marks milestone with tenth edition

NEUCHATEL/MIES (Switzerland) – The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) and FIBA have published the International Basketball Migration Report 2021.

Only the sky will be the limit for African women's football

This is the culmination of hard work that began several years ago. CAF was committed to introducing new competitions to strengthen the clubs and leagues of the continent when it developed the 2020-2023 women's football strategy. Promise kept, since women's football clubs now have their Champions League.

New rules around glucocorticoid injections

From 1 January 2022, all glucocorticoid injections will be prohibited in-competition. This is a new ruling making their classification consistent with oral glucocorticoid preparations.

Genius Sports and PointsBet Expand Partnership with Official Data, NFL and Fan Engagement Agreement

• PointsBet was recently selected as an Approved Sportsbook Operator of the NFL for the 2021 season
• PointsBet will gain access to Genius Sports’ leading portfolio of global sports data and content
• Genius Sports to provide PointsBet with complete NFL offering including official data feeds, player acquisition, and fan engagement solutions

CAF to hold Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo

Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) will hold an Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) on Friday 26 November 2021 in Cairo, Egypt. 

AFC announces media rights deal with ELEVEN

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today announced ELEVEN as their new media partner in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Philippines.

Outcomes of the Executive Committee Meeting: Cannabis and Revised Code Compliance Policy

Preliminary discussion on the review of Cannabis:

“…the ExCo endorsed the decision of the List Expert Advisory Group to initiate in 2022 a scientific review of the status of cannabis. Cannabis is currently prohibited in competition and will continue to be in 2022.” iNADO welcomes this review. iNADO maintains that the placing of cannabis on the prohibited list should be reviewed not just from a scientific perspective but should include social, policy and proportionality arguments. 

Boxers encouraged to study WADA’s new Prohibited List for 2022

Competing members of England Boxing and their coaches are encouraged to study the newly-released 2022 List of prohibited Substances and Methods produced by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA).

WADA publishes enhanced policy for compliance by World Anti-Doping Code Signatories

The World Anti-Doping Agency published today the revised ‘Policy for WADA’s Application of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories’ (ISCCS) (Prioritization Policy) that was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) on 14 September 2021.

Sigurgeirsdóttir elected in Iceland

Former Iceland player and manager Vanda Sigurgeirsdóttir becomes first woman elected as president of the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ).

Special rules applicable for the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League finals

Teams allowed to make unlimited squad changes before their first match in case of serious injury or illness, while matches will go ahead as long as a team is able to field a squad of 13, including one goalkeeper

WADA publishes 2022 Prohibited List

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to publish the 2022 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List); the 2022 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes; and the 2022 Monitoring Program. The 2022 List was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 14 September 2021 and comes into force on 1 January 2022.

FIFA Football Tribunal set to enter into operation

• Body composed of three chambers to become operational on 1 October #

• New procedural rules for dispute resolution to be applied

• Procedures to be free of charge if at least one of parties is natural person

• New FIFA mediation list to be compiled

Genius Sports announces expansion of its agreement with Entain and BetMGM with official NFL data and fan engagement solutions

• Genius Sports to provide BetMGM and Entain brands with full NFL offering including official data feeds, sportsbook content and fan engagement solutions
• BetMGM is a leading sports betting platform in the U.S. available in 16 markets
• New agreement expands on Genius Sports’ decade-long official data and trading partnership with Entain

LawInSport Weekly News Recap - 1 October

Welcome to LawInSport’s weekly News Roundup.  This recap highlights this week’s news pieces from across the world of sport. For further updates, please visit our news section.

We hope you find this useful. If you have any related questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Joint statement from the IOC, World Athletics and Athletics Integrity Unit

Major review into transgender sport in UK details findings

A major review into non-elite transgender sport in the UK has concluded that current policies are outdated and require amending.

The International Cricket Council announces strategic partnership with fintech infrastructure Leader: NIUM

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced today that it has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with Nium, a leading global financial technology (FinTech) infrastructure company. Nium provides banks and businesses with access to a suite of fintech infrastructure services through one API. This partnership includes involvement and integration in three global ICC events through to the end of 2023 such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2023 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to be hosted in India.

AFC agrees media rights deal with ESPN exclusively in Latin America, Central America and non-exclusively in the Caribbean

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today announced ESPN as their new media partner in Latin America, Central America and non-exclusively in the Caribbean to broadcast AFC competitions for the 2021 to 2024 rights cycle.

Marshawn Lynch to become NFLPA's first-ever Chief Brand Ambassador

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The NFL Players Association is excited to announce that All-Pro running back and Super Bowl champion Marshawn Lynch will serve as the union’s first ever chief brand ambassador. In this role, Lynch will support the development of players past, present, and future both on and off the football field.

Genius Sports to activate in-stadia sports betting partnerships with Philadelphia Eagles

• Genius Sports to deliver real-time betting odds to drive fan engagement in Lincoln Financial Field’s sports betting lounges
• Genius Sports is the NFL’s exclusive distributor of real-time and official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats (NGS) data and official sports betting data feed

WADA issues report from review into Nike Oregon Project investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department has published its summary report following a review of the investigation carried out by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in relation to the Nike Oregon Project (NOP).

Bosch extends Formula E partnership through Season 10

Formula E and Bosch have today agreed a new, multi-year partnership to continue showcasing the German manufacturer’s sustainable mobility solutions.

Rise in excessive back-to-back matches in men's football, FIFPRO research shows

The amount of back-to-back matches in elite men’s professional football has increased over the last three years, with some footballers spending 70 to 80 percent of their playing time in a two-game-a-week rhythm, according to a new FIFPRO report.

Unions strengthen worker protections, demand to elevate health & safety to ILO’s fundamental rights compact

Action Alert! On October 7th, World Day for Decent Work, UNI Global Union and unions on every continent will call upon the ILO to designate occupational safety and health as a fundamental right. Find UNI's Action Toolkit here.  

We will draw attention to the lifesaving measures that unions have taken to protect all workers during COVID-19 and demand that workers everywhere have a right to a union and to independently elected safety and health committees.  

Joint statement on the impact of a biennial World Cup on women’s football

The proposed plans by FIFA to stage both the men’s and women’s World Cup tournaments every two years will have profoundly detrimental sporting, economic, societal and many other impacts that will fundamentally alter the course and development of the women’s game. The fast-paced nature of the (so far) very selective consultation process and all-but agreed proposals have not allowed a careful reflection on what is in the best interests of the future development of women’s football or adequately assessed the possible irreversible consequences such a change might entail.

FIFA kick-off Global Integrity Programme for CAF Member Associations

FIBA Europe General Assembly 2021 convenes in Sarajevo

The 2021 session of the FIBA Europe General Assembly convened in Sarajevo on Saturday under a hybrid meeting format, with approximately two-thirds of the delegates attending in person in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest participating via videoconference.

FIFA statement on recent reports in the US made by several players

FIFA is deeply concerned by the recent reports in the US made by several players.  Due to the severity and seriousness of the allegations being made by players, we can confirm that FIFA’s judicial bodies are actively looking into the matter and have opened a preliminary investigation.

Thoroughbred Industries Steering Group welcomes EFRA Select Committee ‘Moving Animals Across Borders’ report

• Industry figures presented evidence to the Select Committee earlier this year
• Report recommends that Government should work with EU to formulate ‘high health status’ agreement to replace Tripartite Agreement for thoroughbred movement
• Adds that Government should embrace digital systems for equine identification and utilise industry solutions

FIBA Europe Board confirms 2022 Youth Championships hosts ahead of General Assembly in Sarajevo

 The Board of FIBA Europe, term of office 2019-2023, convened for its 15th meeting in Sarajevo on Friday, October 1, ahead of the annual General Assembly of the European national federations due to take place in the same location on Saturday, October 2

Tips for masters to avoid sport integrity pitfalls

Continuing to play sport as we age is regarded as an ideal facilitator of healthy ageing through enhanced physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

And as the international sporting arena continually strives to create options for all, there are more and more competitive opportunities for sport loving Australians over the age of 35 within the masters’ cohort.

Webinar: Berlinger and BD Push Innovation In Blood Collection With The New MDR

Berlinger has taken the new European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) 2017/745 as an opportunity to update to the latest generation of blood collection needles from Beckton Dickinson.

U.S. Weightlifting Athlete Jacob Lacoste Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Jacob Lacoste, of Great Falls, Mont., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.

FIFA Anti-Doping Report 2020/2021 published

FIFA has today published its Anti-Doping Report 2020/2021, which covers FIFA’s efforts in the area from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the planning and implementation of FIFA’s anti-doping programme, with tournaments postponed and matches cancelled during the period covered by the report, a total of 354 players were subject to doping control tests in the following FIFA competitions: