UAE Law and Practice Contributed by: Alain Zahlan de Cayetti and Anna Sedova, De Cayetti Law
1. Athlete Conduct, Integrity and Enforcement 1.1 Anti-Doping Regimes The UAE Anti-Doping Rules are implemented in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code (the “WADA Code”) and the applicable International Standards. Article 20 of the Federal Law No 4 of 2023 concerning Sports (the “UAE Sports Law”) institutes a national anti-doping agency “responsible for set - ting policies and procedures necessary to monitor and prevent doping in sports competitions, in coordination with the Authority [General Authority of Sports] and the government entities and sports organizations”. Article 33 of the UAE Sports Law provides that “clubs and federations shall maintain the safety and health of athletes and protect them against the risks of violence and abuse, insuring them, keeping them away from doping, as determined by the Executive Regulations of this law”. The National Anti-Doping Agency (UAE NADA), a committee established by the UAE Minis - try of Sports, ensures compliance with the interna - tional anti-doping rules and standards and operates in co-ordination with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). UAE NADA collects and analyses samples at certi - fied laboratories and has the role of raising awareness in that field. It collaborates with Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Health and Prevention, the UAE National Olympic Committee, and various national sports fed - erations. Doping can fall under criminal law if sub - stances are considered as narcotics or psychotropic under Federal Decree Law No 30 of 2021, or pharma - ceutics or anabolic steroids banned in the UAE. In other cases, doping can be treated as a disciplinary offence leading to disqualifications, suspension, bans or loss of prize. For example, Julia Alves, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete, was sanctioned to a three-year ban by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for using performance- enhancing drugs (Oxandrolone). The tests were con - ducted by NADA. A list of the decisions and sanctions of the UAE Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (since 2008) is available and published on the UAE NADA website.
1.2 Misconduct and Match-Fixing Article 54 of the UAE Sports Law punishes the briber or the mediator of any other party for match-fixing (or a promise thereof) by imprisonment and fine of AED100,000 to AED1 million. Disturbing public order and event misconduct (such as violence, racism and insults) are punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment, in accordance with Article 17 and Chapter Five of the Federal Law No 8 of 2014 concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security. Finally, the UAE general criminal laws apply regardless of the sporting context and include gambling, fraud, corruption and money laundering. For instance, in 2024, the International Cricket Council (ICC), acting on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), charged USA cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy with three violations of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Similarly, Sunny Dhillon, a former assistant coach with the Pune Devils franchise in the Abu Dhabi T10 league, was banned from all forms of cricket for six years by the ICC. It was found that Dhillon breached the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code for alleged attempts to influence the outcome of the matches during the tournament. In May 2025, the UAE Football Association demanded that UAE Pro League clubs Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl pay fines over fights and swearing. Shabab Al Ahli was fined USD19,000, while Al Wasl was fined more than USD21,000. 1.3 Betting-Related Offences Historically, betting is illegal. However, since the Fed - eral Law by Decree No 30 of 2022, on Regulating Commercial Gaming, the UAE has created a regu - lated commercial gaming framework, by establishing the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) as the federal executive agency responsible for regulating and overseeing commercial gaming in the United Arab Emirates. GCGRA grants licences and supervises lotteries, inter - net gaming and sports wagering. Any betting business conducted outside the scope of this law is treated as a criminal offence. For instance, the international betting network Mhadev betting app (on several sports) has
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