Sports Law
Why Leaving the Ice Early Cost Kyiv Capitals at CAS – Field of Play Doctrine Prevails
A recently published Arbitral Award by the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed a decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine against Hockey Club Kyiv Capitals (Kyiv Capitals). The appeal to the CAS had been brought by Kyiv Capitals in connection with a match during the 2023/2024 Ukrainian Men’s Ice Hockey Championship season.
This article examines the award which serves as a crucial reminder for clubs, athletes, and sports administrators about the consequences of abandoning matches in protest at refereeing decisions. The ruling has broader implications for all sports organizations in understanding when regulatory sanctions for match abandonment will be upheld by sports tribunals.
The full award is available here: CAS 2024/A/10449 Hockey Club Kyiv Capitals v. Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine[1]
Article Outline AuthorJonathan MasonWhat sports clubs should bear in mind when handling member disciplinary cases
This article, drawing on the recent case of Rohilla v The Members of Royal Mid Surrey Golf Course[1], will be a helpful reference for anyone involved in running sports clubs, from committee members to club secretaries. It shows why following proper procedures matter when dealing with membership disciplinary matters, and what can go wrong when personal feelings influence decision-making.
The case highlights the need for principles of natural justice to be applied in disciplinary cases and illustrates the issues that can arrive when a club removes a member without following proper procedures, ultimately leading to costly legal consequences.
Article Outline AuthorIan Debbage