Sports Law Attorney Istanbul
As sports law attorneys, we can state that this field of law aims to find solutions—consistent with the general principles of law—to disputes arising between athletes, clubs, and federations across all sports disciplines. It ensures that all transactions comply with national and international legal norms and is today recognized as a distinct branch of private law with its own unique characteristics.
Today, as sports have gained significant economic and social importance, Sports Law is recognized by all developed countries as a distinct branch of law and regarded as an indispensable part of the sports industry. It is now widely accepted worldwide that sports possess a unique structure and that sporting disputes must be resolved within this specific framework, under the discipline of “Sports Law.” In our country, sports law has only recently begun to be acknowledged as an academic field; notably, universities have started offering certificate programs and organizing scientific events in the field of sports law.
In this context, AREL LAW regards Sports Law as a distinct legal field and academic discipline, just as advanced countries around the world do. This emerging branch of law contains elements from several major legal disciplines—including Civil Law, Law of Obligations, Commercial Law, Private International Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, and Tax Law—and has developed through the integration of these areas with the unique dynamics, characteristics, and rules of sports.
In the West, Sports Law has gained such prominence that leading experts in the field have remarked: “There are two legal systems in the world—the legal system of states and the legal system of sports.” In fact, within this framework, the Sports Law Institute Association has been established in our country.
As is well known, sports are no longer merely a national matter but have become an international phenomenon worldwide. To succeed in any sports discipline, it is essential to have comprehensive knowledge of all national and international regulations, rules, and judicial mechanisms governing that sport.
As AREL LAW, by contributing to the development of both national and international Sports Law, we aim to ensure that Sports Federations and sports clubs at certain levels benefit from legal professionals who are trained in this field and who have participated in the scientific work of various institutions. In this regard, our approach to sports law is not limited to focusing solely on athletes or clubs; instead, we identify the deficiencies encountered in resolving disputes arising within the scope of sports activities and work toward filling these gaps.
AREL LAW, through our attorneys and consultants who have received specialized training in Sports Law, provides services to domestic and international corporate and individual clients across all sports disciplines. We would like to outline these services under specific headings.
• Participation in transfer negotiations between athletes and their teams, and preparation of the related contracts
• Player licenses, work and residence permits, citizenship applications
• Name rights of clubs and athletes
• Preparation of professional athlete contracts
• Transfer of broadcasting rights for sports activities
• Preparation of contracts for jersey advertisements, product sponsorships, and other advertising and marketing activities
• Management of athletes’ registration and transfer processes
• Training programs for institutions operating in the field of sports
• The liability of athletes and clubs for torts committed both on and off the field
• Management (agent) contracts
• Protection of athletes’ rights against violations of their personal rights in visual and written media
• Resolution of legal tax issues of athletes and clubs
• Resolution of legal disputes before national and international organizations such as the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), UEFA, and FIFA
• Resolution of financial disputes between athletes and clubs
• Resolution of financial disputes between clubs and agents
• Resolution of financial disputes between athletes and agents
• Representation of athletes and clubs as legal counsel before international judicial bodies such as CAS, FIFA decision-making bodies, UEFA decision-making bodies, arbitration panels, and disciplinary committees
• Representation of athletes and clubs as legal counsel before judicial bodies within national federations, such as the Dispute Resolution Board, Arbitration Board, and Ethics Committee
• Representation as legal counsel before national judicial authorities in all financial disputes related to Sports Law