Football Law Conference 2024 Panel Recordings Now Available to Purchase

The 7th edition of our Football Law Conference brought together 250+ attendees, 30+ expert speakers and 100+ sports organisations and professional services firms from club representatives, executives, players, agents and academia.

The conference featured two days of interactive panel discussions on the contemporary and important legal issues and developments facing the football industry, with opportunities for attendees to network and build relationships with industry professionals, and connect on important business matters.

All of the panel recordings are now available to purchase here. This will give you full access to all 9 panels from across the two days.

Topics & Speakers:

Pricing

• Standard Members - £249
• Plus/Corporate/Academic Members - £149 (Use code LISMEM at checkout)

If you bought a ticket to attend the conference, you should already have access to the recordings. If there are any issues please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Circular no. 1887 - Amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) concerning provisions regarding female players and coaches, the extension of Annexe 7 and the international transfer process for football

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA

Circular no. 1887

Zurich, 31 May 2024

Amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) concerning provisions regarding female players and coaches, the extension of Annexe 7 and the international transfer process for football

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of several amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which were approved by the FIFA Council at its meeting on 15 May 2024. The following paragraphs briefly set out the amendments concerning:

(a) provisions regarding female players and coaches; 

(b) the extension of Annexe 7 to the RSTP to continue addressing the exceptional situation deriving from the war in Ukraine; and

(c) the international transfer process for football – Annexe 3 to the RSTP.

(a) Provisions regarding female players and coaches

Based on the FIFA Council’s mandate of 14 March 2023 to explore possible further regulatory steps to protect the well-being of female players, the FIFA administration undertook a detailed assessment of the current labour conditions regarding pregnancy and maternity for female professional players with the aim of exploring objective additional regulatory measures. 

The amendments and additions to the RSTP in respect of provisions regarding female players and coaches relate to the implementation of the mandated areas and are aimed at ensuring clarity within the current regulatory framework. Furthermore, an equal protection regarding pregnancy and maternity (where appropriate) has been expanded to female coaches. A further objective is the appropriate implementation of these provisions at national level.

In particular, the amendments concern the definitions of the terms “maternity leave”, “adoption leave”, “family leave”, as well as article 1 paragraph 3 a); article 6 paragraph 3 c) and d); article 18 paragraph 7; article 18quater paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6; article 18quinquies (new); article 1bis paragraph 11 of Annexe 1 (new); article 1 paragraph 5 of Annexe 2, article 1 paragraph 5 of Annexe 6. These latest amendments focus on: 

• • reflecting the reality of female football and promoting inclusivity by extending the rights and protection to adoptive parents as well as non-biological mothers;
• • recognising the physical, psychological and social dimensions in the event of an inability to provide employment services due to severe menstruation or medical complications relating to pregnancy by providing for related rights; and
• encouraging associations to facilitate attachment and emotional balance for female players with their families while on international duty with their national teams.

(b) Extension of Annexe 7 to the RSTP to continue addressing the exceptional situation deriving from the war in Ukraine

As a consequence of the war in Ukraine, on 7 and 16 March 2022, the Bureau of the Council decided to temporarily amend the RSTP to provide urgent legal certainty and clarity on a number of important regulatory matters.

The decisions of the Bureau of the Council, communicated via circular nos. 1787 and 1788, set out the regulatory principles in the form of a temporary annexe to the RSTP (Annexe 7) entitled: Temporary rules addressing the exceptional situation deriving from the war in Ukraine.

Subsequently, on 20 June 2022, the Bureau of the Council decided to extend the temporary amendments to Annexe 7 to the RSTP until 30 June 2023, with minor modifications. The decision was communicated via circular no. 1800, dated 22 June 2022.

On 21 May 2023, the Bureau of the Council approved further temporary amendments to extend and adapt Annexe 7 to the RSTP until 30 June 2024 with the objective being to continue assisting players, coaches and clubs impacted by the war in Ukraine, while at the same time aiming to strike a reasonable balance between all interests at stake and avoiding abuse. These amendments have been communicated via circular no. 1849.

The ongoing situation with the war in Ukraine has resulted in the need to further clarify the application of Annexe 7 to the RSTP, in particular its application beyond 30 June 2024.

The related amendments to Annexe 7 to the RSTP concern the following provisions: article 1 paragraph 2 a) and b); article 2 paragraphs 1 and 2; article 7 paragraph 1. These latest amendments focus on:

• a further temporary extension of the right of foreign players and coaches who have left the territory of Ukraine and Russia due to the conflict, and who might not wish to currently return in view of the situation, to unilaterally suspend their contracts with clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of Football and the Football Union of Russia until 30 June 2025;
• maintaining the limitations on the scope of application of Annexe 7 to the RSTP that were introduced in May 2023 in order to prevent abuses and to ensure that players and coaches exercise their right to suspend their employment contracts in a clear and timely manner; and
• partially reintroducing the obligation to pay training compensation.

(c) The international transfer process for football – Annexe 3 to the RSTP

Annexe 3 to the RSTP establishes the general principles governing the use of the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS), the process for international transfers of players in the system and the enforcement of the relevant rules. It also sets the obligations of member associations, clubs and their users when using the system.

In this context, a minor technical amendment to the RSTP has been approved by the FIFA Council in order to reflect the obligation of clubs to also declare in TMS any amendments to previously agreed club-to-club payment terms in the context of an international transfer.

The amendment related to Annexe 3 to the RSTP concerns the following provision: article 12 paragraph 1 of Annexe 3.

Entry into force of the amendments to the RSTP

All the aforementioned amendments will come into force on 1 June 2024, with the exception of the amendment regarding Annexe 3 to the RSTP, which will come into force on 1 July 2024.

The revised edition of the RSTP, as well as explanatory notes concerning the new provisions regarding female players and coaches and an updated explanatory note on Annexe 7 to the RSTP are available on legal.fifa.com.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jan Kleiner, Director of Football Regulatory at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions in this regard.

We thank you for taking note of the above and for informing your affiliated clubs accordingly.

Yours faithfully,

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE

DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Swansea City's Player Liaison Officer Sanctioned

Swansea City’s player liaison officer has been suspended from all football and football-related activity for 12 months and fined £1,500 following misconduct in relation to betting. 
 
The FA alleged that Huw Lake had placed 2,476 bets on football matches between 03 April 2018 and 24 September 2023, and he subsequently admitted to this charge. 
 
An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a 12-month ban from all football and football-related activity, with three months to be served immediately and the remainder to be suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season, and £1,500 fine. 
 
The FA appealed against the independent Regulatory Commission’s decision on the grounds that it came to a decision which no reasonable such body could have come; and imposed a penalty, award or sanction that was so unduly lenient as to be unreasonable.
 
An independent Appeal Board found that the decision to suspend nine months of the suspension was unreasonable and/or so unduly lenient as to be unreasonable, and it substituted a 12-month suspension to be served in its entirety from 25 March 2024. 
 
The written reasons for both the independent Appeal Board and Regulatory Commission’s decisions can be read below.

The FA v Huw Lake - Appeal Board - 21 May 2024

The FA v Huw Lake - 25 March 2024

The ITA welcomes the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision concerning Miguel Ángel López

The Tribunal found Miguel Ángel López guilty of an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) for use and possession of a prohibited substance (Menotropin)*, concomitantly with the 2022 Giro d’Italia, and has imposed a four-year suspension on the rider.

In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the period of suspension started on 25 July 2023 and will remain in force until 24 July 2027.

The disciplinary proceeding was initiated following an investigation conducted by the ITA based on evidence obtained from the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Spanish Anti-Doping Organisation (CELAD) in the so-called Operation “Ilex” concerning Dr Marcos Maynar. This valuable collaboration demonstrates the importance of intelligence-sharing between the ITA, National Anti-Doping Organisations and law enforcement authorities.

In line with the Procedural Rules of the UCI Tribunal, the decision will be published on the UCI website. The decision may be appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within one month.

The ITA will not comment further on the matter.

As a reminder, the UCI delegated the operational activities of its anti-doping programme to the International Testing Agency (ITA) in January 2021. Since then, cycling’s clean sport efforts have been led by the ITA Cycling Unit, which is dedicated specifically to all disciplines of cycling. The UCI and the ITA are bound by a service agreement which guarantees that the ITA operates in an independent manner.

Please find the UCI statement on the matter here.

FIFA Disciplinary Committee sanctions the Equatorial Guinean Football Association and the player Emilio Nsue López on grounds of ineligibility

West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta Charged

West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3. 
 
The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023. 
 
It’s alleged that he directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.
 
Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2.
  
The player has until 03 June 2024 to provide a response to these charges subject to any request for an extension to this deadline. 
 
The FA will be making no further comment until the conclusion of this case.

Venezuelan official banned for life

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Venezuelan tennis official Armando Belardi has been banned for life following 26 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

Belardi, a national-level official who previously served a 30-month suspension for failure to co-operate with an investigation, did not respond to the ITIA’s charges. The case was ruled on by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Janie Soublière, who also issued Belardi a fine of $75,000.

In failing to respond to the ITIA charges, Belardi effectively admitted liability for all charges and acceded to sanctions.

The breaches included facilitation of wagering, contriving the outcome of matches, and soliciting money or benefit to negatively influence a player’s best efforts. 

The ban is effective from 7 May 2024, the date of the decision. As such, Belardi is permanently prohibited from attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association. 

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.  

To access the full decision, click here.

Global stand against racism by the Member Associations of the 74th FIFA Congress

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA

Circular no. 1884

Bangkok, 16 May 2024

Global stand against racism by the Member Associations of the 74th FIFA Congress

Dear Sir or Madam,

The time has come for football to unite to unequivocally commit as a global community to address the issue of racism in the game. Football can be proud of the fact that it so often sets an example for the rest of society, showcasing what is possible when the world comes together for a common cause. It is now incumbent upon us to leverage this unique ability for this particularly important cause for us and for future generations. 

Given players are so often the central victims of this heinous act, FIFA has over the course of recent months undergone an extensive consultation process with current and former players, male and female, from all over the globe, all of whom are passionate about making a change.

Their views and input have resulted in a consolidated proposal for action. FIFA is now pleased to present this proposal to the 74th FIFA Congress on 17May 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The five pillars of action are outlined in annexe to this circular letter and comprise the following:

• Pillar 1 – Rules and sanctions
• Pillar 2 – Action on the field
• Pillar 3 – Criminal charges
• Pillar 4 – Education
• Pillar 5 – Players’ voice

Ahead of this agenda item at the 74th FIFA Congress, FIFA would like to share this proposal with all member associations as we look forward to standing together with them against racism. 

Yours faithfully,

FIFA

Mattias Grafström

Secretary General

Pillar 1 - Rules and sanctions

"We, together united as global football, will make racism a specific offence with mandatory inclusion in the individual Disciplinary Codes of all 211 FIFA Member Associations, differentiating racism from other incidents, giving acts of racism their own specific and severe sanctions, including match forfeits."

Pillar 2 - Action on the field

"We, together united as global football, will pause, suspend and abandon games in cases of racism, introducing a global standard gesture for players to communicate racist incidents and referees to signal the implementation of the three-step procedure which will be made mandatory in all 211 FIFA Member Associations."

Pillar 3 - Criminal charges

"We, together united as global football, will push for the recognition of racism as a criminal offence in every country in the world, and where already an offence, will push for prosecution with the severity it deserves."

Pillar 4 - Education

"We, together united as global football, in recognition that no child is born a racist, will develop and promote educational initiatives together with schools and governments, to provide a future free of racism."

Pillar 5 - Players' voice

"We, together united as global football, will establish a new Players' Anti-Racism Panel composed of former players who will monitor and advise on the implementation of these actions around the world."

Korea Republic women’s national team players fighting for better working conditions

Players of the Korea Republic women’s national team are asking for improved working conditions. Supported by the Korea Pro-Footballer’s Association (KPFA), they are inviting the Korea Football Association (KFA) to start discussions on how to solve some glaring issues.

In April, the KPFA’s Secretary General Hoonki Kim organised a meeting with national team players to discuss ideas to advance women’s football. The players unanimously voiced their concerns about their current treatment, which in their opinion is of a lower standard than the handling of the men’s national team or the men’s Olympic (U-23) team.

The players have the impression that the women’s team budget is insufficient, which is illustrated by their travel conditions. Kim said: "Despite being in the national team, the women are allocated regular tourist buses instead of the premium buses that are prioritised for the men's national team and Olympic team. Even when just the women's team is called up, they still travel with regular tourist buses instead of premium buses. This seems to be a serious form of discrimination."

Kim continued: "Additionally, the women's national team lacks dedicated training facilities. The men can use a quality pitch at a training centre, but usually the women are forced to take a spare training field, resulting in discomfort during travel between training grounds and accommodation." 

Seo-yeon Shim, who has made over 90 appearances for her country and is also a director of the KPFA, said: "While the men's team accommodation is well-arranged and they stay in hotels close to their training ground, our team lacks a proper arrangement: there is often no clear schedule, and we have to stay in resorts far from the training ground or stadium. This further reinforces the feeling of discrimination among all women players."

Air travel is another issue. When the women’s team travels to away games, the players have to travel in economy class; only a couple of technical staff members and the team doctor are assigned business class seats. Next month, Korea Republic will be playing two friendly matches in USA, which requires an 18-hour flight.

Former Chelsea midfielder So-yun Ji, who currently plays at Seattle Reign and is a co-president of the KPFA, stated that this type of travel will have a negative impact on the players’ performance. "Many of our women’s players have insufficient rest time, with less than five days between matches," said Ji. Players in the Women’s K League often play twice a week. "Considering that player welfare is directly linked to quality of life, I believe that schedule adjustments and comfort should be provided."

Ji, who has played over 150 times for Korea Republic, referred to FIFPRO research that noticed significant increases in injuries among professional women footballers. Players who experienced a higher frequency of injuries, especially anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, had shorter recovery periods between games or from travel, and travelled longer distances and across more time zones than non-inured players. FIFPRO emphasised the importance of minimising travel distances and reducing fatigue during travel. 

The players also mentioned other problems, including a lack of interpreters and equipment. All women players need to return their sponsored equipment and this leads to uncomfortable moments. Often the players are immediately released after a final match in the international window, which regularly forces them to change their gear for casual clothes at airport restrooms, which the players find frustrating. 

Another frustration, according to goalkeeper Jung-Mi Kim, is that the call-ups and the matches are frequently arranged last minute, leading to matches being played at uncomfortable times such as 6 or 7 pm, and in difficult-to-reach stadiums. "The poor accessibility of venues for A matches and the match schedule also hinder interaction with fans, which is regrettable." 

Secretary General Kim is taking from the experiences of other FIFPRO member unions, who have been trying to improve working conditions of their women footballers. Kim said: "Although women players in countries such as Japan and Australia initially faced many problems while appearing for their national teams, ongoing communication between their player associations and federations has led to significant improvements in their working conditions.

"As we in Korea are just beginning to address these issues, the KPFA will work diligently to resolve them. We have sent an official letter to the Korea Football Association to address these issues and invited them to jointly advance women’s football in our country." 

Two tennis players sanctioned under Tennis Anti-Corruption Program

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) can today confirm sanctions for two tennis players under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). 
 
The sanctions are linked to a recently concluded criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. Collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities led to a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan.  Five other players related to the case had previously been sanctioned after failing to respond to ITIA charges in 2023.
 
Sanctions were imposed by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Professor Richard McLaren following a formal hearing held between 4-5 March 2024. The sanctions are effective from 4 April 2024. 
 
Alejandro Mendoza Crespo, a 34-year-old Bolivian who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 741 in 2016, was issued the maximum penalty by AHO McLaren for committing 20 major offenses under the TACP, resulting in a lifetime ban from the sport and a $250,000 fine. 
 
Mendoza was found by AHO McLaren to have “engaged in a continuous pattern of corruption” between 2016 and 2018, including initiating corruption offenses by encouraging other players to contrive the outcome of matches for financial gain.  
 
Jorge Panta Herreros, a 28-year-old Peruvian with a career-high world singles ranking of 447 reached in 2022, has been suspended for three years and fined $10,000, having been found liable for four major offenses under the TACP, including contriving the outcome of two of their own matches over a period of two years. Panta’s suspension will end at midnight on 3 April 2027. 
 
During their periods of ineligibility, Mendoza and Panta are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.   

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.    

To access the full decision, click here.

Premier League and Fanatics Collectibles announce landmark partnership

Fanatics Collectibles will become the exclusive provider of Premier League trading cards, trading card games and stickers from June 2025

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) and Union Sportive Medina D'Alger (USM Alger) File an Appeal at The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Regarding the Shirts of RS Berkane

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered the appeal filed by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) and Union Sportive Medina d'Alger (USM Alger) (“the Appellants”) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Royal Maroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and Club Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RS Berkane) (“the Respondents”) against the decision taken by the CAF Appeals Jury dated 21 April 2024 (“the Challenged Decision”). This decision confirmed the earlier decision taken by the CAF Interclubs Committee, which validated the use of RS Berkane's shirts for the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup.

Together with their appeal, the Appellants filed an urgent request to immediately suspend the execution of the Challenged Decision. This request was rejected ex parte by the President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division on 26 April 2024.

In their appeal on the merits, the Appellants ask CAS to annul the Challenged Decision and to rule that the RS Berkane shirt, which the Appellants consider presents a political message, contravenes the laws of the game, CAF regulations and FIFA rules.

In relation to the arbitration procedure, the parties are currently exchanging written submissions and the arbitral panel that will be decide the matter is being appointed. Once constituted, the arbitral panel will issue instructions for the next phase of the proceedings, including the holding of a hearing.

At this juncture, it is not possible to give any further details on the timetable for this procedure.

USA Fencing Decision Is Lenient on Match Fixing and Undermines the Integrity of Sport

30 April 2024: USA Fencing athletes are aggrieved by the recent decision by USA Fencing to enact a weak and futile suspension on two American fencing referees.

Yesterday’s decision by USA Fencing to sanction Mr. Jacobo Morales and Mr. Brandon Romo for only nine months after being found guilty of violating the USA Fencing Referee Code of Ethics, the FIE Technical Rules and the FIE Ethical Code undermines the ethics of the sport and every athlete who strives for success on the grounds of fair play.

Fencers, like all athletes, are required and expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity when competing. When athletes fail to do so, swift sanctions and consequences are enacted. This decision, however, highlights the discrepancy in accountability standards between athletes and officials, with the latter often receiving minimal repercussions for breaking the rules of sport, as evidenced in this case. This decision provides zero deterrence for match manipulation and leaves athletes, who dedicate their lives to the sport, vulnerable to unfair refereeing and match-fixing.

These officials, who are not competing for medals, are expected to uphold the rules of the sport with integrity. Yet, they have undermined the very fiber of sport – a level playing field – and are facing inconsequential repercussions. If USA Fencing is committed to protecting the rules and integrity of their sport, these officials must receive multi-year suspensions.

Furthermore, based on this decision and with a pending second investigation yet to be complete, USA fencing has set a precedent that leniency is afforded to officials who break the rules. How can athletes have confidence that the sport will abide by its own rules that were established to protect athletes and fair play when decisions, as per this case, indirectly endorse match manipulation?

Importantly, the investigation and USA Fencing has failed to recognize this event was an Olympic qualifier. USA Fencing has yet to redistribute competition points to ensure justice prevails. If USA Fencing cares about fair sport this must be immediately implemented.

As athletes head into the Paris Olympic Games, USA Fencing and the International Fencing Federation have a responsibility to clean up the sport and enact tough sanctions on match manipulation to not only avoid a cloud of suspicion overshadowing the performances in Paris but to ensure that all fencers in Paris have fairly earnt their position and will compete on a level piste.

On behalf of,

Select members of the USA Fencing Team

FIFA launches fourth edition of the Executive Programme in Sports Arbitration

FIFA has launched the fourth edition of its programme which provides participants with a practical and theoretical guide to proceedings at the CAS. 

Aimed at lawyers with an interest in sports law, in-house legal counsel of confederations, FIFA Member Associations, clubs, leagues and player unions, the Executive Programme in Sports Arbitration draws on FIFA's long and varied understanding of dealing with CAS cases.

FIFA is the international sports federation with the most experience of dealing with CAS procedures and has been involved in thousands of cases covering the whole spectrum of legal disputes, including disciplinary, anti-doping and contractual.

The programme offers a practical, personalised learning method, backed up by the theory and research that focuses primarily on proceedings and practical aspects before CAS, as well as exploring arbitration in other sports bodies. It consists of three modules, each lasting four days, which will take place in Miami, Buenos Aires and Zurich in the final quarter of 2024.

EFL Statement: Gateshead Football Club

Gateshead Football Club will not be permitted by the National League to participate in this season’s Play-Offs as the terms of the Club’s occupation at the Gateshead International Stadium, owned by the Borough Council of Gateshead, does not meet the relevant qualifying criteria to enable the Club to become a Member of the EFL.

All other Clubs permitted to play in the National League play-offs adhered to the requirements as set out in EFL Regulations.

Despite the League working with Gateshead throughout last season and again in recent months, the Club has been unable to attain security of tenure to play matches at its Stadium for a minimum of 10 seasons.

All National League Clubs are required to apply annually to the EFL should they wish to be eligible for promotion, which Gateshead did alongside other Clubs by the 30 November deadline. Working with the EFL, Clubs then had until 1 March to ensure that all the relevant criteria of EFL Regulations were met.

As Gateshead failed to meet the security of tenure requirement, the EFL rejected its application. The Club appealed the League's decision claiming that it was irrational or unreasonable, but that appeal has now been rejected after consideration by an independent Arbitrator.

As the EFL strongly believes in the principles of promotion and relegation it is therefore highly disappointing that appropriate solutions have not been put in place over the previous two-year period, as avoidable circumstances are preventing Gateshead from progressing up the pyramid even if the Club achieves success through sporting merit.

The League hopes that Gateshead and the relevant stakeholders can address this matter so that the Club can meet the obligations of EFL membership and be eligible for promotion in future seasons

The Decision of the independent Arbitrator and written reasons are available to view on EFL.com.

Developing Professional Sport in Ireland: Networking Evening & Roundtable

We are hosting a networking evening on 26 April 2024, for people interested in sport, business and the law in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in partnership with 12KBW Chambers.

The aim of this event is to bring together those interested in sports business & law in Ireland, who may not otherwise have a chance to meet. It will bring together those working in sports organisations such as clubs, leagues, federations & player associations as well as those working in professional service & accountancy firms.

If you would like to connect with people that share your interest in the subject of sports law & business, this networking evening will be of interest to you. It will also provide an excellent opportunity for those who are considering a career in sports law to meet industry professionals and gain insights into this exciting field.

PLEASE NOTE: there are only a limited number of spaces available so tickets will be on a first come first served basis. You can register for the networking evening here.

Developing the Professional Game: Roundtable

Prior the the networking evening, we will also be hosting a private roundtable on ‘Developing the Professional Game: How lawyers are being used within and outside sports organisations’ where the following will be discussed:

• Identifying where the legal community can help sports organisations in Ireland
• How to get a return on investment when using the legal community
• How the legal community can help create sustainability in sports organisations in Ireland

This roundtable is exclusive for those working in sports organisations including athletes, governing bodies and leagues, clubs and teams, broadcasters and media companies, agencies, sponsors and investors.

Please register your interest in attending here. We will then be in touch to confirm availability. Once capacity has been reached, we will operate a waitlist.

Registration

The event is free for LawInSport Plus members and Institutional members and will be of interest to anyone interested in or who shares a passion for sports law and would like to meet, and build relationships, with like minded people.

You can register here.

Attending Organisations

• 12 King's Bench Walk
• B.F.P. Sports & Management Consulting s.r.l.
• Bar of Ireland
• BCL Solicitors LLP
• Crusaders FC
• DLA Piper LLP
• Edge Hill University
• European Sports Business School
• Geaney Solicitors LLP
• Grayfield Solicitors LLP
• Horwich Farrelly
• IRFU
• Irish Football Association
• ISDE
• Lewis Silkin
• MaCauley & Ritchie Solicitors
• Mills & Reeve
• NI PFA
• NIFL - Northern Ireland Football League
• Queen's University
• Sheridans
• The Bar of Ireland
• The Financial Times
• University of Westminster
• Wexford FC
• Wiggin LLP

Weightlifting Athlete Aaron Babet Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Aaron Babet, of Avon, Ohio, an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a one-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.

Babet, 19, tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a urinary metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, marijuana, and hashish, above the urinary Decision Limit, as the result of a sample collected in-competition at the North American Open Series 1 & National University Championships on February 29, 2024.

Cannabis, marijuana, and hashish are Specified Substances in the class of Cannabinoids and are prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

In the 2021 Code, THC is classified under a special category that allows for a reduced three-month sanction if the athlete establishes that their use of the substance occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance. The sanction may be further reduced to one month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a treatment program approved by USADA.

Babet’s period of ineligibility was reduced to one month because his use of cannabis occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance, and because he successfully completed a substance of abuse treatment program regarding his use of cannabis.

Babet’s one-month period of ineligibility is the minimum allowed under the rules and began on March 18, 2024, the date he was provisionally suspended. In addition, Babet has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on February 29, 2024, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

WADA seeks input on each year’s updated version of the Prohibited List. USADA has advocated and will continue to advocate to WADA, the rule maker, to treat marijuana in a fairer and more effective way to identify true in-competition use.

Quarterly FIFA Data Protection and Cybersecurity in Sport Networking Event – Hybrid Event

Friday 21st June 2024

10 AM – 12 PM ET
4 PM – 6 PM CET

Our next FIFA Data Protection & Cybersecurity in Sports Networking Event is around the corner, and we would love for you to join us.

Event highlights:
- Expert insights: Trevor Hughes, CEO & President of the IAPP, will share his insights into the evolving privacy landscape in the USA, focusing on health data and minors.
- Industry perspective: Ashish Khanna, Senior Managing Director of the Verizon Cybersecurity Consulting Services, on how to interpret the evolving cyber threat landscape through current incident trending and geopolitical perspective for the sports and entertainment sector.

Event format: This event allows for both in-person and virtual attendance, ensuring that you can join us from anywhere in the world. The in-person event will be held in Miami, Florida, USA.

How to register: Secure your spot by registering here. For those joining us in-person, please ensure to register your in-person participation to assist us in organizing the event.

For additional information or assistance with the registration process, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We look forward to welcoming you, whether you join us online or onsite!

Best regards,
FIFA Data Protection & Cybersecurity Risk Team

Circular no. 1886 - Compliance with applicable regulations regarding release of players to representative teams

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA

Circular no. 1886

Zurich, 31 May 2024

Compliance with applicable regulations regarding release of players to representative teams

Dear Sir or Madam,

FIFA is pleased to note that, with the recent approval of the Women’s International Match Calendar 2026-2029, combined with the prior approval of the Men’s International Match Calendar 2025-2030, there is now a clear and consistent framework for the mutually beneficial coexistence of representative-team and club football globally for the future. This hugely positive development allows all football stakeholders to plan responsibly and with sufficient certainty for the benefit of all involved.

A fundamental component of each International Match Calendar is its binding relationship with the release of players to representative teams, as set out in the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (the “Regulations”). This legal framework clearly lays out predetermined rules around the timing of the mandatory release of players, where validly called up to representative teams by their respective member associations.

In doing so, this framework recognises the need to balance the rights and obligations of both clubs and representative teams, in order to ensure that the harmonious relationship between representative-team and club football continues.

With this in mind, FIFA notes with concern reports of an increasing trend of member associations engaging in “early call-ups” – in other words, arranging or requiring the arrival of players for representative-team duty before the start of the stipulated period of release as set out in the Regulations and therefore outside the release period, where there is no prior agreement with the releasing club in question.

FIFA would therefore like to strongly remind all member associations preparing for the upcoming international windows that call-ups in advance of the opening of the international window in question should not be undertaken unless otherwise mutually agreed between the member association and club concerned.

FIFA also draws attention to the fact that universal compliance with the Regulations and consistency in their application are critical for the long-term health and coexistence of representative-team and club football globally. In this regard, all involved parties and stakeholders must respect the rules and their obligations, in order for this long-standing and successful system to function as intended.

In recognition that there do exist individual cases with unique circumstances where an early release may be in the interest of all involved, FIFA of course promotes and encourages open dialogue in this regard, such that a clear agreement can be found that is acceptable to all parties. In such cases where an agreement is reached, we would take this opportunity to confirm that the cover provided by the FIFA Club Protection Programme as set out in circular no. 1852 will apply from the moment of release by the club in question, thereby providing insurance for the players in question when on duty with those representative teams in scope.

FIFA would like to thank you for your attention to the above and wishes all member associations the best in their preparations for the upcoming windows, as well as in any tournaments in which they are participating over the coming months.

Yours faithfully,

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE

DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Circular no. 1885 - Training compensation system for women’s football – financial data for calculation of training costs and categorisation of clubs

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA

Circular no. 1885

Zurich, 30 May 2024

Training compensation system for women’s football – financial data for calculation of training costs and categorisation of clubs

Dear Sir or Madam,

On 17 December 2023, the FIFA Council approved the governing framework for a training compensation system for women’s football to encourage the development of youth players, protect the investment of training clubs and contribute to the competitive balance and sustainability of the women’s game.

In order to build and implement this system, it is essential to collect and analyse accurate financial data from clubs related to female players’ training costs. This will allow the correct categorisation of clubs and establishment of training compensation amounts which will be paid to beneficiary clubs when the system becomes active. In this regard, a survey has been produced to gather such data from your affiliated clubs.

Whilst the survey relates to training costs, professionalism and sporting indicators, other key questions have been included for correlation and benchmarking purposes. FIFA will not use this data for any other purpose, disclose it to any unauthorised persons or make it available in any other way.

Member associations are kindly requested to ensure that their affiliated clubs complete the survey, which is available at the following link: CLUB SURVEY which needs to be shared with your clubs directly.

Please kindly inform your affiliated clubs that once they start the online survey, they will need to enter all the requested data in one session and press submit to avoid losing any progress made. All survey responses must be received by 30 June 2024.

For any enquiries regarding the club survey, please contact Ignacio Toro from the FIFA Women’s Football Division at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Yours faithfully,

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE

DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

FIFPRO launches elite performance forum to advance strategic priorities on player performance

• HPAN will provide an independent resource to support ongoing player union activities on workforce issues in men’s football relating to performance, workload and emerging technology
  
  
• Forum will initially boast 12 expert practitioners operating in high-performance roles across elite sport
  
  
• Will strengthen ongoing efforts of Player IQ to establish expert networks to drive player-centric research and thought-leadership

FIFPRO has launched the Player IQ High-Performance Advisory Network (HPAN) to establish a dedicated forum for elite performance coaches to provide feedback and thought-leadership on priority topics such as player workload and performance technology.

HPAN will provide an independent and complementary resource to ongoing player union activities on performance issues. It will also inform player-centric policy development, and enhance existing evidence-based research and medical expertise.

Chaired by Dr Darren Burgess, a FIFPRO senior advisor on player workload and performance, the network will initially boast 12 expert practitioners operating in high-performance roles across elite sport.

All specialists currently work or have previously worked in high-level football performance environments and offer a regional spread of expertise. The group composition will be evaluated periodically and remain open to the future integration of additional experts.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to chair the FIFPRO High-Performance Advisory Network (HPAN) during it’s inaugural year,” said Dr Burgess. “Over the years, I’ve often held ad-hoc or informal discussions with colleagues and practitioners to exchange ideas and explore issues that have arisen in our work with teams and players, but HPAN now provides us with a unique platform to harness these discussions and use our collective expertise to address key industry challenges in a proactive manner.

“Our member experts will bring insightful perspectives, having worked extensively across both club and international football, with vast experience participating in and preparing players for a wide variety of national and international competitions, ranging from the Premier League to the World Cup and Olympic Games.”      

The launch of HPAN will strengthen existing workstreams such as Player Workload Monitoring (PWM), enhance the understanding of emerging technology in both training and match environments, and anticipate emerging trends relevant for high-performance.

HPAN will meet collectively on a quarterly basis with further integration opportunities also planned at various upcoming events throughout the coming year.

Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO Director of Global Policy & Strategy for Men’s Football, said: “The establishment of the FIFPRO High-Performance Advisory Network is an important next step in strengthening our player-centric capabilities and addressing key industry challenges.

“We’ve gathered an exciting group of performance experts who possess extensive experience working with elite footballers from across all regions of the world. Alongside their football industry expertise, many members have also been successful working with elite athletes across other sports including basketball, cycling and AFL.

“The new expert network will build upon our existing medical research and evidence-based analysis and will add further value to our discussions as we explore best-practices, evaluate emerging trends, and optimise solutions that benefit players and the game overall.”

Adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee sanctions former and incumbent officials of the Bangladesh Football Federation

Swimming Athlete Suspended for Multiple Whereabout Failures

Ottawa – May 23, 2024 – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that Ruslan Gaziev, a swimming athlete, received an 18-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete had three confirmed whereabouts failures during a 12-month period.

In response to the CCES’s notification of the anti-doping rule violation, the athlete signed an Agreement on Consequences thereby waiving his right to a hearing and accepting the proposed sanction and all other applicable consequences. The sanction terminates on May 31, 2025.

During the sanction period, the athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP), including training with teammates. 

In compliance with rule 8.4 of the CADP, the CCES’s file outcome summary can be found in the Canadian Sport Sanction Registry.

ITA sanctions Indian boxer Parveen Hooda with a 22-month period of ineligibility for three whereabouts failures

THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) REPORTS THAT THE INDIAN BOXER PARVEEN HOODA HAS BEEN SANCTIONED WITH A 22-MONTH PERIOD OF INELIGIBILITY FOR A COMBINATION OF THREE WHEREABOUTS FAILURES WITHIN A TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD.

The ITA confirms that boxer Parveen Hooda has been suspended for a 22-month period, effective until 16 July 2025, after committing three whereabouts failures within a twelve-month period as defined in article 2.4 of the International Boxing Association anti-doping rules (IBA ADR)¹.

The case was resolved via an agreement on consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 of the IBA ADR, and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code.

In addition to the period of Ineligibility, the athlete’s results obtained between 11 December 2022 until 17 May 2024 are disqualified.

Ms Hooda is thus ineligible to participate in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the matter related to her Olympic quota will be treated in accordance with the Paris 2024 Boxing Qualification System², which does not fall under the ITA’s remits.

Insofar as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the National Anti-Doping Agency of India (NADA) have a right to appeal against the sanction before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, there will be no further comments.

Reading FC Sanctioned

Reading FC and four individuals have been sanctioned following misconduct charges for breaches of FA Rule E1.2 between 1 March 2019 and 16 July 2019.

It was alleged that Reading FC and Nigel Howe, Sue Hewett and Michael Gilkes – acting on behalf of the Club – as well as Intermediary Glen Tweneboah agreed for the latter to have an interest in relation to a registration right or an economic right, namely to receive payments contingent on the future transfer of a player, which was a breach of The FA’s Intermediary Regulations. 

Reading FC, Nigel Howe, Sue Hewett and Michael Gilkes denied breaching Intermediary Regulation E5, but admitted a charge of improper conduct. However, an independent Regulatory Commission found all charges to be proven, and subsequently imposed a £200,000 fine on Reading FC, while Nigel Howe has been fined £5,000 and suspended for a total of 12 months. During the first six months, Mr Howe is suspended from involvement with player contract negotiations and transfer-related activity, and for the latter six months he is suspended from all football and football-related activity. Sue Hewett and Michael Gilkes have each been warned regarding their future conduct.

Intermediary Glen Tweneboah denied all charges, however they were found proven and he has been fined £15,000 and suspended for six months from all football and football-related activity, including intermediary and football agent services, effective from 4 October 2024. 

Full written reasons from the independent Regulatory Commission can be found below.

The FA v Reading FC and others - Liability

The FA v Reading FC and others - Sanction

Austrian wheelchair tennis player fined

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) can today confirm that Austrian wheelchair tennis player Nico Langmann has accepted a sanction for breaching tennis’ betting sponsorship rules. Langmann co-operated fully with the investigation and did not contest the charge.

As an active wheelchair tennis player, Langmann is considered a “covered person”, who must comply with the sport’s rules around relationships with betting operators. The Tennis Anti-Corruption Program rules state that: “No Covered Person shall directly or indirectly, facilitate, encourage and/or promote Tennis Betting (‘Facilitation’).”

In January 2023, Langmann entered into a contract with an Austrian online gaming and betting operator to become an ambassador, a deal which included, but was not limited to, use of Langmann’s image and social media profile to promote the brand. Upon receiving contact from the ITIA, Langmann withdrew from the arrangement and made best efforts to remove promotional content already produced.

There is no suggestion of any corrupt behaviour linked to the rule violation, and the ITIA accepted that the violation was inadvertent. As such, Langmann has been issued a two-month suspended ban and fined $10,000. The suspension will not come into force unless there is a further breach of the rules during the two-month period, which began on 14 May 2024.

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. 

Czech tennis player provisionally suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that Nikola Bartunkova, an 18-year-old tennis player from Czechia, has been provisionally suspended under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).   

The ITIA sent the player a pre-charge notice of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation on 16 April 2024 under Article 2.1 of the TADP (presence of a Prohibited Substance in a Player’s Sample) and/or Article 2.2 (Use of a Prohibited Substance without a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)). 

Bartunkova, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 226 in April 2024, provided samples while competing at an ITF W50 event in Trnava, Slovakia, in February 2024, and an ITF W75 event in Maribor, Slovenia, in March 2024.

Both the February and March samples were split into A and B samples and the subsequent analysis found that the A samples contained trimetazidine, which is prohibited under the TADP, in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators (section S4 (4.4) of the 2024 Prohibited List). Trimetazidine is a non-Specified substance, and Bartunkova did not possess a valid TUE for the substance. Analysis of the B samples have since confirmed findings in the A samples.

Findings for non-Specified Substances carry a mandatory provisional suspension – in Bartunkova’s case, this is effective from 16 April 2024. 

While provisionally suspended, Bartunkova is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.   

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.   

The ITA reports that Italian athlete Vincenzo Tomasello has accepted a 14-month period of ineligibility

THE ITA, ON BEHALF OF IRONMAN, HEREBY REPORTS THAT ITALIAN ATHLETE VINCENZO TOMASELLO HAS COMMITTED AN ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATION (ADRV) UNDER ARTICLE 2.1 OF THE IRONMAN ANTI-DOPING RULES (IRONMAN ADR) FOR THE PRESENCE OF PREDNISOLONE AND PREDNISONE IN A SAMPLE COLLECTED IN-COMPETITION BY IRONMAN ON 25 NOVEMBER 2022 IN THE SCOPE OF THE 2022 IRONMAN ISRAEL. VINCENZO TOMASELLO PARTICIPATED IN THE EVENT IN THE AGE GROUP CATEGORY.

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali Sanctioned

An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali for misconduct in relation to The FA’s Betting Rules. 

The FA charged the midfielder with 50 breaches of FA Rule E8 for placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023, and he admitted to this. 

The independent Regulatory Commission imposed a two-month suspension from all football and football-related activity, which is suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season pending any further breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules, as well as a £20,000 fine and warning. 

The independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these sanctions can be read in full here. 

Premier League statement

The Premier League and Fulham FC have entered into a sanction agreement following the Club’s accepted breaches of the Premier League Rules in relation to player registrations.   

The Club will face a six-month ban (suspended for one year) from registering any Academy players currently or previously registered with another club and will pay a £75,000 fine.

The suspended registrations ban commenced on 15 April 2024.

Click here to read the sanction agreement. As required by the Premier League Rules, the sanction agreement has been ratified by three members of the Independent Judicial Panel.

UKAD statement concerning WADA, CHINADA and the positive test results of 23 Chinese swimmers

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) notes with concern the current media and sporting world commentary and speculation about serious anti-doping issues involving 23 Chinese swimmers.   

UKAD, along with WADA and all Anti-Doping Organisations, has a fundamental responsibility to protect athletes’ rights to participate in doping-free sport and promote health, fairness and equality for athletes worldwide. Clean participation is essential and must be delivered in a coordinated manner linked to the International Standards and the World Anti-Doping Code.

The recent media reports and responses by WADA and several National Anti-Doping Organisations have led many athletes and the wider sporting community to question the consistency with which anti-doping processes work and how anti-doping rules are applied worldwide.

Without public access to the full details, and with speculation continuing in the media, a more transparent approach is needed.

We call on WADA, in this specific case, to now initiate an independent review of the regulatory framework and processes applied. 

We hope that WADA, by expediting this process, can help ensure trust and confidence is restored in anti-doping worldwide, and clean athletes can continue to be protected and championed.

Bulgarian tennis official banned for life

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) can confirm that Bulgarian tennis official Pavel Atanasov has been banned from the sport for life following 21 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

Atanasov, a national-level official, initially contested the charges before withdrawing their appeal ahead of a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO). The case was ruled on by AHO Richard Young, who also issued Atanasov a $10,000 fine. The ban is effective from 4 March 2024.

In withdrawing from proceedings, Atanasov effectively admitted liability for numerous TACP offenses between 2019 and 2023, including the manipulation of scoring data of matches for betting purposes, facilitating wagering, conspiring to commit corruption offenses, wagering on tennis matches, and failure to report corrupt approaches.

Atanasov, who has officiated at ITF $15K and $25K tournaments in Bulgaria, is permanently prohibited from officiating at or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association. 

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.  

To access the written decision, click here.

NBPA Statement on the Jontay Porter Ruling

Today, the NBA permanently disqualified Jontay Porter for violating league gambling rules. The NBPA exists to protect and support the interests of all 450 NBA players – both as individual players and as a collective. Adherence to league gambling policies is paramount to maintaining the integrity of our athletes and protecting the future of the sport. 

The NBPA will make sure Jontay has access to the resources he needs during this time, in light of the NBA’s decision. All players, including Jontay, should be afforded appropriate due process and opportunity to answer to any charges brought against them.

The NBPA will continue to provide all players with training materials to ensure they understand how to properly navigate the complex sports betting landscape.

U.S. Track & Field Athlete Jaron Flournoy Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Jaron Flournoy, of Inkster, Mich., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a three-year suspension for his possession of a prohibited substance while a member of USA Track & Field.

In addition to education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from various sources, including positive tests, tips (Play Clean Tip Line), and whistleblowers. This type of information, specifically information stemming from the positive test of another athlete, led USADA to discover that Flournoy purchased ostarine online, and the ostarine was delivered in December 2022. Although Flourney also used the prohibited substance, his use occurred after his membership with USA Track & Field expired, at which time he was not subject to the anti-doping rules.

Ostarine is classified by WADA as a Non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents. It is prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.

Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Flournoy qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility as he admitted and accepted the sanction within the time allowed.

Flournoy’s three-year period of ineligibility began on February 14, 2024, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Flournoy has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to December 1, 2022, the approximate date he obtained ostarine, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.

USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

The ITA reports that three Turkish weightlifters have committed anti-doping rule violations within a period of 12 months

The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirms as follows:

1. A sample collected in-competition (IC) by the ITA from Turkish weightlifter Hakan Sukru Kurnaz returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF)[1] for the presence of methasterone metabolite, a non-specified prohibited substance, according to the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The athlete was able to establish that the presence of methasterone metabolite in his sample was through use of a contaminated supplement. The case was resolved via an agreement on consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 of the anti-doping rules of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF ADR, and the equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code). The athlete accepted a period of ineligibility of 22 months from 26 May 2023 and the disqualification of all competitive results from 21 April 2023 onwards.

2. A sample collected IC by the ITA from Turkish weightlifter Pelinsu Bayav returned AAFs for the presence of methasterone, stanozolol metabolites, methyltestosterone metabolite and clenbuterol, non-specified prohibited substances, according to the prohibited list of WADA. The athlete admitted to the violation under Article 10.8.1 IWF ADR and the case was resolved via an agreement on consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 IWF ADR. The athlete accepted a period of ineligibility of 36 months from 26 May 2023 and the disqualification of all competitive results from 15 April 2023 onwards.

3. Turkish weightlifter Dogan Donen has committed an anti-doping rule violation under article 2.4 of the IWF ADR namely the occurrence of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period.[2] The athlete accepted the consequences of the violation, and the ITA issued a sanctioning decision under Article 8.3.3 of the IWF ADR imposing a period of ineligibility of 24 months from 8 April 2024 and the disqualification of all competitive results from 1 April 2023 onwards.

Given that three athletes from the Turkish Weightlifting Federation have committed anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) within a 12-month period, this has triggered the Article 12.3[3] of the IWF ADR and provisions of the IWF Olympic Qualification System (OQS). As a result, the matter has been submitted to IWF’s Independent Member Federation Sanctioning Panel to impose appropriate consequences.

No further comments will be made on these cases.

“A big statement”: FIFA introduces measures to further protect female players and coaches

Jill Ellis is speaking from personal experience when she talks about protecting the well-being of female players and coaches. The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winner remembers trying to coach a college team after adopting her three-month-old daughter, and the difficulties of trying to juggle the two roles.

“(A football career) shouldn’t be exclusive of being a mum or raising a child, it should be inclusive of that,” she said. “If I didn’t have support around me, I wouldn’t have had the ability to do that and maintain my career.”

FIFA, however, has been listening to the concerns of women in the game and, following thorough discussions with key stakeholders and a previous set of landmark reforms, has moved to further protect their well-being by implementing changes to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) that will enter into force on 1 June 2024.

Approved by the FIFA Council in May 2024, these changes will extend the rights and protections to adoptive parents as well as non-biological mothers. They will also recognise the physical, psychological and social dimensions in the event of an inability to provide employment services due to severe menstruation, or medical complications relating to pregnancy, and member associations will be encouraged to allow female players to have contact with their families while on international duty.

“FIFA is committed to implementing a dynamic regulatory framework that is sound and suitable for the increasing needs of female players and coaches,” said FIFA Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Emilio García Silvero. “In order for the game to further flourish, it’s absolutely key that we have a holistic approach towards player well-being, including the legal aspects.”

“As a modern organisation, it’s FIFA’s duty to listen to the main actors and adapt its regulations to the ever more complex dynamics of professional football. We would like to thank all the stakeholders that have contributed to the drafting of these robust regulations, and look forward to seeing them being implemented and positively affecting the lives and careers of women in football.”

“I think it’s a big statement,” said Ellis, who led FIFA’s Technical Study Group at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and coached the USA to Women’s World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. “These are big steps and big strides to really normalise the life that we go through as women … that’s what we want to provide now at every level, the club level, the national team level – the opportunity for pro players to have the chance to be mums.”

The steps deliver on important points in Goal 2 of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027, which describe the organisation’s commitment to exploring and implementing further safeguards for player and coach welfare.

Like Ellis, former Germany international Fatmire Alushi – a FIFA Women’s World Cup winner in 2007 – has first-hand experience of raising children while pursuing a football career. “I appreciate very much FIFA getting involved to protect pregnant women so that they can have a good feeling, enjoy their pregnancy, and can get support during and after the pregnancy,” said the mother of four. 

FIFA Chief Football Women’s Officer Dame Sarai Bareman said the new measures recognised that the players are the main stakeholders. “They are the ones who are on the field, who are playing the sport, they’re training hard every day, really sacrificing a lot to entertain the fans and to deliver the beautiful matches that we see,” she said.

The measures also recognise that women have different biological make-ups, she said. “When you’re playing sport for a living, and in a professional environment, we have to factor in that the female menstrual cycle can also impact on your ability to deliver within your role. So, it’s important that we protect … those that are affected by their menstrual cycles in a way that it doesn’t put at risk their employment situation with their club and, ultimately, their ability to earn money.”

Bareman welcomed the move to encourage more family contact for national team players. “In a FIFA Women’s World Cup, (a player) can potentially be away from her family for five or six weeks … and that can have a big toll on the player, mentally, but also on the child.

“So, encouraging the member associations to make provision or to allow for those mothers and parents to have the children with them during the camp, during the tournament, is a really important step which will support not only female players but all players in our sport.”

Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players - June 2024 edition

Explanatory Note on New Provisions in the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players Regarding Female Players

Explanatory Note on Annexe 7 to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players

The ITA reports that three Ukrainian weightlifters have committed anti-doping rule violations within a period of 12 months

The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirms that samples it collected out-of-competition (OOC) on 27 October 2022 from Ukrainian weightlifters Ruslan Kozhakin and Bohdan Taranenko returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF)[1] for the presence of the prohibited substance trimetazidine, a non-specified prohibited substance, according to the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Following the results management process, the ITA submitted the matters for adjudication to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD). On 24 May 2024, CAS ADD issued its final decision confirming that the athletes had committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) and sanctioned Ruslan Kozhakin and Bohdan Taranenko each with a period of ineligibility of 48 months from 2 December 2022 and a disqualification of their competitive results from 27 October 2022 onwards. The athletes have also been granted a 6-month credit for providing Substantial Assistance[2] to the Ukrainian National Anti-Doping Organization.

Additionally, an OOC sample collected by the ITA from Alina Marushchak on 10 March 2023 returned an AAF for the presence of the prohibited substance hydrochlorothiazide, a specified prohibited substance, according to the prohibited list.

The case was resolved via an agreement on consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 of the anti-doping rules of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF ADR, and the equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code). The athlete accepted a period of ineligibility of two years from 13 April 2023 and the disqualification of all competitive results from 10 March 2023 onwards.

Given that the three athletes from the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation have committed ADRVs within a 12-month period, this has triggered the Article 12.3[3] of the IWF ADR and provisions of the IWF Olympic Qualification System (OQS). As a result, the matter will now be submitted to IWF’s Independent Member Federation Sanctioning Panel to impose appropriate consequences.

No further comments will be made on this case.

VAR to be implemented at all AFC club competitions for 2024/25 season

As Asian club football prepares to enter a new era, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reaffirmed its determination to maintain the highest officiating standards with the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system across its revamped three-tier club structure as well as the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League™ for the 2024/25 season.

Befitting the status of the newly introduced AFC Champions League Elite™, which will see the Continent’s top 24 teams battle for glory, the tournament will implement VAR from the League Stage, which kicks off this September.

Former PGMOL Referee Observer Sanctioned

Former PGMOL referee observer, Rodger Gifford, has been suspended from all football and football-related activity for five months, fined £400 and ordered to attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme, for an Aggravated Breach of misconduct.

It was alleged that following the FA Cup second round fixture between Newport County AFC and Barnet FC on Saturday 2 December 2023, his language towards an assistant referee coach was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to Rule E3.1. It was further alleged that this is an “Aggravated Breach”, as defined in Rule E3.2, as it includes a reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

Mr Gifford denied the charge, but an independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed the sanctions. The Written Reasons can be found here.

Algerian tennis player suspended under Tennis Anti-Corruption Program

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) can today confirm that Algerian tennis player Mohamed Ali Abibsi has been suspended for a period of two years and six months and fined $10,000 for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). 

Abibsi, who held a career-high world singles ranking of 1438 in 2023, was charged with failure to comply with a demand and failure to co-operate with an ITIA investigation. A hearing was held before independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Ian Mill KC on 25 January 2024, following which AHO Mill upheld both ITIA charges. A further hearing was held on 14 March 2024, where both parties made their cases on the appropriate sanction. 
 
Having found Abibsi liable for breaches of the TACP related to failure to co-operate with an ITIA investigation, including refusal to submit personal devices for examination when issued a written request to do so by ITIA investigators, AHO Mill imposed a two-year and six-month suspension and a fine of $10,000. 

Abibsi has been provisionally suspended since 19 May 2023, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against the period of ineligibility. As such, the suspension will end at midnight of 18 November 2025.  

During the period of ineligibility, the player is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.  

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.   

To access the full decision, click here.

ITA Paris 2024 Pre-Games Program ramps up to focus on high-risk sports & athletes and supports global anti-doping efforts ahead of the Olympic Games

THE ITA PARIS 2024 PRE-GAMES PROGRAM ENTERS ITS FINAL PHASE OVER TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE SUMMER OLYMPICS ARE BOUND TO BEGIN. DURING THIS TIME AND UP UNTIL THE START OF THE COMPETITIONS, THE BULK (AROUND 70%) OF DOPING CONTROLS ON ATHLETES BOUND TO PARIS WILL HAPPEN AS THE QUALIFICATION PROCEDURES CONTINUOUSLY REVEAL PARTICIPANTS. THE ITA PARIS 2024 PRE-GAMES EXPERT GROUP MONITORS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL TESTING ACTIVITIES. A SPECIAL FOCUS IS PLACED ON HIGH-RISK ATHLETES, OF WHICH OVER 50% HAVE ALREADY BEEN TESTED AT LEAST ONCE SINCE JANUARY 2024. IN ADDITION, THE ITA NOW HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DIRECTLY TEST ALL SPORTS PARTICIPATING IN THE GAMES AS A COMPLEMENTARY MEASURE TO CLOSE TESTING GAPS.

Italian tennis player suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Italian tennis player Emanuele Bastia has been suspended for a period of four months and two weeks after admitting to wagering on tennis, in breach of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). 
 
Bastia, who reached a career-high ITF singles ranking of 1835 in April 2024 and is unranked on the ATP Tour, admitted to placing bets on professional tennis matches (in which they played no part) between 2017 and 2023. The player has been fined $5,000, of which $2,500 is suspended. 
 
25-year-old Bastia’s period of ineligibility began on 6 May 2024 and ends at midnight on 20 September 2024.

During the period of ineligibility, Bastia is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.   

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.   

U.S. Skiing Athlete Breezy Johnson Accepts Sanction for Whereabouts Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Breezy Johnson, of Victor, Idaho, an athlete in the sport of skiing, has accepted a 14-month sanction for committing three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period.

At the time of the Whereabouts Failures, Johnson, 28, was included in the USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP), which consists of a select group of elite athletes subject to certain Whereabouts requirements in order to be located for out-of-competition testing. Within a 12-month period, Johnson accrued three Whereabouts Failures: the first on October 29, 2022, the second on June 13, 2023, and the third on October 10, 2023.

The accumulation of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period constitutes a rule violation under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code. The period of ineligibility for Whereabouts rule violations ranges from one year to two years depending on the athlete’s degree of fault. In this case, USADA determined that a 14-month period of ineligibility was appropriate because Johnson’s degree of fault was relatively low given the circumstances of the case.

Johnson’s 14-month period of ineligibility began on October 10, 2023, the date of her third Whereabouts Failure. In addition, Johnson has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to October 10, 2023, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

Accurate Whereabouts information is crucial for effective out-of-competition testing, which helps deter and detect doping by enabling no-notice sample collection. This is especially important because some prohibited substances have limited detection windows. In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

Argentinian tennis player suspended for five years

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Argentinian tennis player Eduardo Agustín Torre has been suspended for a period of five years following 35 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

The sanction is linked to a recently concluded criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. Collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities led to a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan. Charges against Torre relate to offenses from 2017, but the ITIA’s case was deferred until after the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

Torre, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 596 in September 2014, did not respond to the ITIA’s charges. The case was ruled on by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Amani Khalifa, who also issued Torre a fine of $35,000.

In failing to respond to the ITIA charges, Torre effectively admitted liability for all charges and acceded to sanctions.

The breaches included facilitation of wagering, contriving the outcome of matches, soliciting money or benefit to negatively influence a player’s best efforts, failure to report corrupt approaches, and failure to report corruption offenses.

The suspension will run from the date of the decision (26 April 2024) and end at midnight on 25 April 2029.

During the period of ineligibility, Torre is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association. 

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.  

Independent Appeal Board decision on Nottingham Forest

An independent Appeal Board has upheld the decision of a Commission to deduct four points from Nottingham Forest following an admitted breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

The PSR sanction applied to the assessment period ending Season 2022/23 and was appealed by the club on two grounds. The club argued that the independent Commission committed an error in not treating its sale of a high-profile player shortly after the assessment period as a mitigating factor, and that it committed a further error in electing not to suspend some or all of the points deduction it imposed. Each of these grounds was rejected by the Appeal Board, which found the independent Commission was entitled to immediately impose the sanction it did. The four-point deduction will therefore remain in place.

Click here to read the independent Appeal Board’s full written reasons.

Appeal Boards are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The Appeal Board in this case comprised of the Rt Hon Lord Dyson (chair), David Phillps KC and Daniel Alexander KC, each of whom was appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel.

Weightlifting Athlete Joshua Mauk Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Joshua Mauk of Battle Creek, Mich., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.

Mauk, 32, tested positive for 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (Carboxy-THC), a urinary metabolite of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, marijuana, and hashish—above the urinary Decision Limit as the result of a sample collected in-competition at the North American Open Series 1 & National University Championships on March 2, 2024.

Cannabis, marijuana, and hashish are Specified Substances in the class of Cannabinoids and are prohibited in competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Under the 2021 Code, THC is classified under a special category, “Substances of Abuse,” that allows for a reduced three-month sanction if the athlete establishes that their use of the substance occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance. The sanction may be further reduced to one month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a treatment program approved by USADA.

Mauk qualified for a reduced sanction because his use occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance. Mauk accepted a three-month period of ineligibility that began on March 18, 2024, the date he was provisionally suspended. In addition, Mauk has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on March 2, 2024, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Athlete Maria Antonieta Ortiz receives reprimand for breaching terms of her sanction

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has issued a reprimand to Para powerlifting athlete Maria Antonieta Ortiz for breaching the terms of a previous suspension under the IPC Anti-Doping Code.

The Chilean athlete was found to have committed a violation of the prohibition against participation during Ineligibility, pursuant to IPC Anti-Doping Code Article 10.14.3.

The athlete had previously been sanctioned by the IPC with a two-year period of ineligibility starting on 4 August 2021 and ending on 3 August 2023. This resulted from an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) in respect of an adverse analytical finding for methylhexanamine (a specified stimulant listed in class S6 of the World Ant-Doping Code Prohibited List).

The athlete violated her period of ineligibility by competing in the women’s up to 79 kg competition at the 2023 Rancagua Invitational Para Powerlifting Cup held between 2-4 August 2023. More specifically, she participated in the weigh-in process, which took place on the final day of her period of Ineligibility (3 August 2023). Under the World Para Powerlifting (WPPO) Rules and Regulations (sport technical rules), the weigh-in process forms part of the competition.

Prior to participating in the competition, the athlete (through her NPC) had contacted WPPO to check her eligibility to compete. She was provided with an erroneous response confirming her eligibility to compete, without consideration of the weigh-in process.

The athlete cooperated fully with the IPC’s investigation and accepted she had breached the IPC Anti-Doping Code, having relied on the erroneous information provided to her by WPPO.

In these specific circumstances, the IPC deemed that the athlete bore little or no fault for her violation. Having considered all the circumstances of this case, the IPC proposed a reprimand and no additional period of ineligibility as a consequence of the ineligibility violation.

The results obtained by the athlete in the women’s up to 79 kg competition at the 2023 Rancagua Invitational Para Powerlifting Cup were also disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

The athlete accepted the consequences proposed by the IPC.

This case highlights the potential challenges for anti-doping organisations, National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), National Federations (NFs) and athletes in navigating a return to competition close to the end of an athlete’s period of Ineligibility.

Athletes are reminded that the prohibition against participation during Ineligibility or provisional suspension contained in IPC Anti-Doping Code Article 10.14.1. is very broad, and prohibits athletes from participating in any capacity in any competition or activity (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs) authorised or organised by any relevant organisation, including but not limited to the IPC, international federations, NPCs and NFs.

NPCs and NFs are encouraged to check in advance whether suspended athletes who are reaching the end of their period of Ineligibility will be permitted to attend a specific competition or carry out any other specific activity.

As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.

Public Statement on Sanction Outcome for Roheen “Goon”

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) announces the conclusion of an investigation into the conduct of Roheen “Goon” during his participation in a CS2 tournament. Our investigation confirmed Mr. Roheen’s engagement in prohibited betting activities on the tournament events in which he was a participant, a clear violation of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code.

Key findings from the investigation include evidence from live game footage and verified screenshots of communications with betting operators, which substantiate that Mr. Roheen placed bets on the tournament. His engagement in these activities and subsequent failure to report these activities to ESIC constituted a breach of our Anti-Corruption Code, specifically under items 2.2.1 and 2.4.5.

Given the serious nature of these breaches, ESIC has imposed a Rejection Order against Mr. Roheen “Goon,” effective for a period of nine months starting from 3 April 2024 to 3 January 2025. This sanction, represents a penalty for a reduced period of nine months due to Mr. Roheen’s early plea and responsive measures in removing his bets on the events which form the substance of the sanction.

During this period, Mr. Roheen is prohibited from participating in ESIC member tournaments. The decision to impose this sanction reflects ESIC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of esports competitions and upholding the highest standards of conduct.

ESIC remains dedicated to ensuring fair play and the ethical conduct of all participants in esports events. We will continue to enforce strict compliance with our Anti-Corruption Code to protect the integrity of the esports industry.

EFL Statement: FA Cup Replays

The EFL wishes to clarify further its position in respect of yesterday’s Premier League and Football Association bi-lateral announcement over the removal of FA Cup replays and the role of the League’s representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB). 

The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA.  Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL Clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.  

In September 2023, the EFL did initially discuss with Clubs potential changes to the FA Cup format but only as part of a wider and more fundamental change to financial distributions. As is now clear, there has been no movement in this area since September.

This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its Clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game.  

The EFL today calls on both the Premier League and the FA, as the Governing body, to re-evaluate their approach to their footballing partnership with the EFL and engage more collaboratively on issues directly affecting our Clubs.

A separate issue is the role of the EFL representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB) in agreeing to the 2024/25 overall fixture calendar. PGB is there to make technical decisions across the game as opposed to key policy decisions such as competition changes or formats.

Any decisions taken on the calendar involving EFL representatives are in no way an endorsement of the joint deal agreed between the FA and Premier League that imposes changes to the FA Cup competition format in isolation.

As part of the discussions the EFL representatives did challenge the position and were told that Clubs would be comfortable with no replays. They were effectively advised that, as a result, of it being an FA competition, the fixture list needed to be agreed as presented. It is also important to note that this matter was not discussed by the FA Cup committee, a separate group that oversees the competition across the professional and national game.

Powerlifting Athlete William Porter Receives Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that William Porter of New Braunfels, Texas, an athlete in the sport of powerlifting, has received a two-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.

“This case demonstrates the importance of Powerlifting America’s commitment to a robust anti-doping program with USADA, and the need to safeguard both athletes and the sport,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “The program will give athletes the knowledge and tools they need to compete clean, while also ensuring that those who choose to use performance-enhancing substances to get a competitive advantage are held accountable.”

Porter, 38, tested positive for an anabolic agent as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected on January 27, 2024 at the 2024 Powerlifting America Bench Press National Championships, where he declared the use of testosterone during sample collection. USADA was contracted by event organizers to conduct testing and results management for the event and collected Porter’s sample in accordance with the WADA International Standard for Testing.

Porter’s urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), which is capable of measuring the carbon isotope ratio of urinary steroids and confirming their synthetic origin—in this case, testosterone or its precursors. IRMS is a powerful tool that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin. Anabolic agents like testosterone have powerful performance-enhancing capabilities and can give an athlete an unfair advantage over fellow competitors.

All AAS are Non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Powerlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

After investigating, USADA determined that Porter was taking testosterone at the direction of a physician but lacked a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Under the USADA TUE Policy, an athlete has the responsibility to demonstrate that the therapeutic need to treat an acute or chronic medical condition satisfies the strict criteria within the WADA International Standard for TUEs (ISTUE). Although the substance was taken at the direction of a physician, Porter chose not to pursue a TUE. Under the applicable rules, Porter was eligible for a reduction from the default period of ineligibility based on the specific circumstances of his case.

Porter’s two-year period of ineligibility began on February 16, 2024, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Porter has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and after January 27, 2024, the date of his positive test, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.