DENMARK Law and Practice Contributed by: Frederik Bruhn, Tim Krarup Nielsen, Robert Jønsson and Rasmus Theis Madsen, DAHL Law Firm
However, Danish sports governance empha - sises resolving disputes within sports organi - sations before they reach the national courts. Sports federations require athletes, clubs, and other stakeholders to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking interven - tion from national courts or arbitration bodies. Sports Federations and Internal Dispute Resolution Danish sports organisations are structured under a hierarchical, association-based model, reflecting Denmark’s tradition of voluntary sports associations. Each sport’s governing body main - tains its own internal disciplinary system, with decisions generally subject to appeal before the National Olympic Committee and Sports Con - federation of Denmark. Despite this internal structure, national courts may intervene if a dispute involves fundamental legal rights, such as employment protections, contract breaches, or competition law violations. 6.2 ADR (Including Arbitration) Alternative Dispute Resolution in Danish Sports Dispute resolution in Danish sports typically occurs within the internal mechanisms of sports federations, through national arbitration panels, or ultimately via the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Many sports contracts contain arbitration clauses that require disputes to be resolved out - side the national courts – referring disputes to CAS or a national arbitration panel, ensuring
pute resolution body for civil disputes between clubs and players or coaches within Danish foot - ball. It handles disputes related to: • employment and salary issues between play - ers and clubs; • sponsorship and commercial disputes affect - ing players; and • agent-related contractual disputes. The Football Arbitration Court does not have jurisdiction over international disputes, which remain under FIFA or CAS jurisdiction. Use of Arbitration in Sports Disputes Disciplinary disputes, such as those involving match-fixing, doping, or spectator misconduct, are generally resolved within the internal disci - plinary committees of the relevant sports fed - erations. The Role of CAS in Danish Sports CAS plays a significant role in Denmark, par - ticularly in international disputes and disciplinary appeals. Many Danish sport governing bodies have incorporated CAS arbitration clauses in their agreements and statutes to ensure access to specialised sports adjudication. 6.3 Challenging Sports Governing Bodies Autonomy of Sports and the Role of Governing Bodies Danish sports operate under the principle of sporting autonomy, meaning that federations have broad powers to regulate and enforce their own rules, including disciplinary measures and financial sanctions. However, this autonomy is subject to Danish and EU law, ensuring compli - ance with competition law, employment regula - tions, and fundamental legal principles.
specialised adjudication. Football Arbitration Court
Under the “Act of DBU” , organisations, clubs, players, coaches, third parties, etc, must accept that certain disputes are settled by the Football Arbitration Court. It serves as the primary dis -
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