{"id":153654,"date":"2026-11-03T14:29:19","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T14:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=153654"},"modified":"2026-11-05T10:11:16","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T10:11:16","slug":"poland-sports-law","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/poland-sports-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland: Sports Law"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-153654","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-sports-law","jurisdictions-poland"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Wo\u0142osza\u0144ski i Wsp\u00f3lnicy<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/10\/Logo-Woloszanski.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Wo\u0142osza\u0144ski i Wsp\u00f3lnicy<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/10\/Logo-Woloszanski.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Sports Law laws and regulations applicable in Poland<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you have a specific sport tribunal in your country to decide sports-related domestic issues for one or more disciplines? Are there any other sports-specific alternative dispute resolutions in your country, i.e. mediation, conciliation, or sports ombuds instance? Are there cases that can or cannot be submitted to a specific sports tribunal or cannot be subject to arbitration (e.g. labor disputes)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Poland has a specialized sports arbitration tribunal &#8211; the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Polish Olympic Committee (\u201cTrybuna\u0142 Arbitra\u017cowy do Spraw Sportu przy Polskim Komitecie Olimpijskim\u201d), established under Article 45a of the Act of 25 June 2010 on Sport (the &#8220;<strong>Sports Act<\/strong>&#8220;). It operates as a permanent arbitration court under the Polish Code of Civil Procedure and has jurisdiction over disputes arising across different sports disciplines. \u00a0The Tribunal consists of 24 arbitrators appointed by the Executive Board of the Polish Olympic Committee for a 4-year term.<\/p>\n<p>The Tribunal performs two principal functions. First, it resolves sports-related disputes submitted to it under a valid arbitration agreement, provided that the dispute is arbitrable under Polish law. Such disputes may include contractual and other civil or commercial matters arising in the sports sector. Second, the Tribunal reviews final disciplinary decisions issued by Polish sports federations. Disciplinary liability is governed by the principles of the right to defence and the right to two-tier proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Under the Sports Act, an appeal to the Tribunal must be lodged within 14 days of the date on which the decision is served. No appeal to the Tribunal is available in matters concerning the technical rules of the game. The Tribunal may set aside a disciplinary decision issued by a Polish sports federation and refer the case back for reconsideration if resolving the matter requires the taking of evidence in its entirety or to a substantial extent. A disciplinary ruling issued by the Tribunal may be challenged by way of a cassation appeal to the Polish Supreme Court on the grounds of a flagrant violation of the law or the manifest injustice of the ruling. The cassation appeal must be lodged through the Tribunal within 30 days of the date on which the appellant is served with the ruling together with its statement of reasons. The above provisions do not apply to disciplinary proceedings concerning doping in sport, as discussed further below.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the Tribunal, Polish sports federations may establish their own specialized dispute resolution bodies and internal disciplinary and appellate mechanisms. For example, the Polish Football Association (\u201cPZPN\u201d) operates the Football Court of Arbitration (\u201cPi\u0142karski S\u0105d Polubowny\u201d), which deals with certain football-related disputes in accordance with its rules. The jurisdiction and procedures of such bodies depend on the applicable federation regulations and Polish law. Internal disciplinary bodies should, however, be distinguished from arbitration tribunals established to resolve civil disputes.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-doping matters are governed by a separate statutory and regulatory framework. Under the Act of 21 April 2017 on Combating Doping in Sport, doping-related disciplinary cases are adjudicated at first and second instance by the Disciplinary Panel operating within the Polish anti-doping system. These matters are excluded from the general disciplinary appeal regime established under the Sports Act. The Disciplinary Panel operates in accordance with anti-doping rules, the World Anti-Doping Code and the provisions of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, adopted in Paris on 19 October 2005. The Panel consists of no more than 20 members, with at least five members designated to adjudicate at each instance. Membership of the Panel is incompatible with holding a position in the governing bodies of a Polish sports federation. The minister responsible for physical culture appoints and dismisses the members of the Panel. The Panel&#8217;s term of office is three years.<\/p>\n<p>Alternative dispute resolution methods, particularly mediation and negotiated settlement, are also available for sports-related disputes under general Polish law. Mediation may be conducted on a contractual basis or following a court referral, provided that the nature of the dispute permits settlement. Conciliation mechanisms may likewise be used where legally permissible. Poland does not currently have a generally competent statutory sports ombudsman with authority to adjudicate disputes across all sports disciplines. Complaints concerning athletes&#8217; rights may, depending on their nature, also be addressed through federation mechanisms or general public-law institutions, although these do not constitute a substitute for sports arbitration.<\/p>\n<p>The possibility of referring a dispute to arbitration is subject to statutory limitations. Pursuant to Article 1157 of the Polish Code of Civil Procedure, disputes concerning property rights are generally arbitrable, except for maintenance claims, while disputes concerning non-property rights may be referred to arbitration only if they are capable of being settled before a court, unless a specific statutory provision provides otherwise.<\/p>\n<p>Accordingly, Poland has a developed but decentralized system of sports dispute resolution, combining a national sports arbitration tribunal, federation-specific adjudicatory bodies, specialized anti-doping proceedings and general alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The appropriate forum depends on the nature of the dispute, the applicable statutory provisions, the relevant federation regulations and, where required, the existence of a valid arbitration agreement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is Sports law codified in your country? Is there a specific Statute or Code? Are there national sports authorities, independent agencies, or government ministries responsible for oversight?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Polish sports law has not been codified into a single, comprehensive code. The principal piece of legislation governing the organization and functioning of sport in Poland is the Sports Act. It sets out the rules governing the practice and organization of sport, including, in particular, the legal status of sports clubs and Polish sports federations, the organization of sporting competitions, the supervision of Polish sports federations, the functioning of the national Olympic and Paralympic movements, and selected matters relating to disciplinary liability and the resolution of sports disputes.<\/p>\n<p>However, the Sports Act does not regulate all aspects of sporting activities. Other legislation is also of significant importance, in particular:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Act of 21 April 2017 on Combating Doping in Sport, which regulates the anti-doping system, including the organization and responsibilities of the Polish Anti-Doping Agency;<\/li>\n<li>The Act of 20 March 2009 on the Safety of Mass Events, which sets out, among other things, the rules governing the organization and safety of mass sporting events;<\/li>\n<li>The provisions of the Civil Code, Labour Code and Code of Civil Procedure, which apply, among other things, to contracts with athletes and coaches, sponsorship agreements and dispute resolution;<\/li>\n<li>Legislation governing associations, commercial companies, business activities and the financing of sport.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The principal government authority responsible for sport in Poland is the minister responsible for physical culture, whose functions are carried out through the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. The minister is responsible for implementing state policy in the field of sport, including supporting and financing sporting activities and exercising supervisory powers as provided for by law. Pursuant to Article 16 of the Sports Act, the minister exercises supervision over the activities of Polish sports federations. This supervision includes, in particular, monitoring the compliance of the federations\u2019 activities with applicable law, their statutes and regulations. The minister may, among other things, request access to resolutions and explanations and conduct inspections. The minister also has the supervisory measures provided for under the Sports Act at their disposal. However, the minister\u2019s supervisory powers do not extend to disciplinary decisions or decisions concerning the application of regulations made by the governing bodies of Polish sports federations in connection with the conduct of sporting competitions.<\/p>\n<p>Polish sports federations play an important role in the organization of sport and regulations of particular disciplines. These govern, among other matters, the rules of sporting competitions, the licensing of athletes and clubs, transfers, disciplinary liability and internal dispute resolution mechanisms. Such regulations operate within the framework of the autonomy of sports organizations, subject to applicable provisions of generally binding law. These federations have powers defined by statute, particularly in relation to organizing competitions for the title of Polish Champion and the Polish Cup, establishing sporting rules and setting the rules for participation in competitions. They are separate legal entities rather than government administrative authorities.<\/p>\n<p>The Polish sports system also includes the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl) and the Polish Paralympic Committee (PKPar), which perform functions relating to the Olympic and Paralympic movements in accordance with the Sports Act, their respective statutes and the rules of the relevant international organizations. However, they are not public administration authorities exercising general supervision over sport.<\/p>\n<p>The specialized institution responsible for combating doping is the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), established under the Act of 21 April 2017 on Combating Doping in Sport. POLADA is a state legal entity supervised by the minister responsible for physical culture. Its responsibilities include planning and conducting anti-doping testing, establishing disciplinary rules concerning doping, and carrying out educational and preventive activities. POLADA also operates within the international anti-doping framework, particularly the World Anti-Doping Code.<\/p>\n<p>The Polish model of sports regulation thus combines statutory state supervision with the organizational and regulatory autonomy of sports organizations. The state establishes the legal framework for sporting activities and exercises the supervisory powers conferred upon it by law, while Polish sports federations and other sports organizations are responsible for organizing and regulating sporting competitions within the scope of their respective powers. The autonomy of sport is therefore firmly rooted in the way sport operates in Poland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Advertising and marketing in sport: which are the limitations foreseen in your country, for instance in relation to alcohol, tobacco or betting advertising on or around sports infrastructure, on official clothing, etc.?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p><strong>Alcohol<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pursuant to the Act of 26 October 1982 on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism, advertising and promotion of alcoholic beverages are generally prohibited in Poland, with the exception of beer, the advertising and promotion of which are permitted subject to strictly defined conditions.<\/p>\n<p>In particular, beer advertising must not:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>be directed at minors, depict minors or involve their participation;<\/li>\n<li>associate alcohol consumption with physical fitness or driving;<\/li>\n<li>encourage excessive alcohol consumption;<\/li>\n<li>portray abstinence or moderate alcohol consumption in a negative light;<\/li>\n<li>evoke associations with, among other things, professional or personal success, relaxation or sexual attractiveness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Significant restrictions also apply to the manner and location of advertising. As a general rule, beer advertising on television, radio, in cinemas and in theatres is prohibited between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. An exception applies to advertising carried out by the organizer of a competitive or professional sporting event during that event.<\/p>\n<p>Beer advertising on billboards and other fixed or mobile advertising surfaces must include appropriate, visible and legible warnings concerning the harmful effects of alcohol consumption or the prohibition on selling alcohol to minors, occupying at least 20% of the advertising space. This is particularly relevant to advertising displayed in stadiums and indoor sports arenas.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of producers and distributors whose principal business activity is the production or sale of beverages containing between 8% and 18% alcohol, communicating information about the sponsorship of sporting events is permitted only in the forms specified by law, generally limited to displaying the sponsor&#8217;s name and trademark. The Act also provides for specific rules governing sponsorship communications on radio and television. By contrast, communicating information about sponsorship by producers and distributors of beverages containing more than 18% alcohol is prohibited.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, the permissibility of displaying alcohol producers&#8217; branding on athletes&#8217; uniforms, advertising boards or other elements of sports infrastructure must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the type of alcoholic beverage, the nature of the communication and the applicable provisions governing advertising and sponsorship communication.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tobacco<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, pursuant to the Act of 9 November 1995 on the Protection of Health against the Consequences of Tobacco and Tobacco Product Use, advertising and promotion of tobacco products and certain related products, including electronic cigarettes, refill containers and nicotine pouches, are prohibited in Poland.<\/p>\n<p>The prohibition covers, in particular, advertising at sports and recreational facilities, in other public places, in the media and on the internet. The Act also expressly prohibits tobacco companies, including manufacturers and importers of tobacco products and certain related products, from sponsoring sporting activities.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, as a general rule, sports uniforms, sports facilities, sporting events and other forms of sponsorship exposure may not be used to promote products covered by the statutory prohibition. The restrictions also apply to certain forms of indirect advertising, including the use of symbols associated with the consumption or use of such products.<\/p>\n<p>Any person who sponsors sporting activities in contravention of the prohibitions laid down in the Act is liable to a fine of up to PLN 200,000, a penalty of restriction of liberty, or both penalties jointly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Betting advertising<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Advertising and sponsorship of gambling activities are regulated by the Act of 19 November 2009 on Gambling.<\/p>\n<p>The Act establishes a general prohibition on the advertising and promotion of certain gambling activities, including casino games and betting. An important exception applies to the advertising of betting activities conducted under the relevant license, which is permitted subject to the conditions set out in Article 29b of the Act. In particular, advertising of legally authorized betting activities must not:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>be directed at minors, depict minors or involve their participation;<\/li>\n<li>associate participation in betting with physical or intellectual fitness or the prospect of easy winnings;<\/li>\n<li>portray gambling as a means of resolving financial or personal problems;<\/li>\n<li>encourage an increase in betting stakes;<\/li>\n<li>evoke associations with professional, personal or financial success;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As a general rule, betting advertising on television, radio, in cinemas and in theatres is prohibited between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. An exception applies to advertising broadcast during the transmission of sporting events, provided that the betting operator sponsors the event, a team or athletes actively participating in it.<\/p>\n<p>Betting advertising is also generally prohibited in public places. However, the Act provides for exceptions relating to mass events and sporting events where the operator sponsors the event, a participating team or athletes, or a sports federation associated with the event. These exceptions apply exclusively to advertising of betting activities offered by the sponsor or advertising of the sponsor itself. Advertising must also include the legally required notices concerning the risks associated with gambling, the consequences of participating in illegal gambling activities and confirmation that the operator holds the relevant license.<\/p>\n<p>In practice, this means that sponsorship of sports clubs and sporting events by licensed betting operators is permitted, and their branding may be displayed on athletes&#8217; uniforms, advertising boards and other advertising media, provided that the applicable statutory restrictions and relevant sports regulations are complied with. A distinction must also be drawn between betting advertising and the mere communication of sponsorship information. Article 29(3) of the Act establishes specific rules governing sponsorship communications by certain betting operators, limiting the content of such communications to the sponsor&#8217;s name or another identifying designation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Match-fixing: How is match-fixing and other forms of match manipulation combated in your country? Has your country ratified the Macolin Convention? What is the role of the sports betting industry in your country and is it subject to any specific state regulations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The principal piece of legislation aimed at combating sports corruption and match-fixing in Poland is the Sports Act of 25 June 2010. Articles 46 &#8211; 49a of the Sports Act establish specific criminal offences relating to violations of the integrity of sporting competitions.<\/p>\n<p>Article 46 criminalizes both accepting and giving or promising a financial or personal benefit in exchange for dishonest conduct that may affect the result or course of a sporting competition. Criminal liability applies to competitions organized by a Polish sports federation, an entity acting under an agreement concluded with such a federation, or an entity authorized by it. The basic offence is punishable by imprisonment for a term of between 6 months and 8 years. Importantly, the offence does not require the result of the competition to have actually been manipulated. The provision concerns benefits offered or accepted in exchange for dishonest conduct capable of influencing the result or course of a sporting competition.<\/p>\n<p>Article 47 of the Sports Act concerns the use of information about sports corruption in betting activities. It provides for criminal liability where a person, knowing that an offence under Article 46 has been committed, participates in betting on the sporting competition concerned or discloses that information to enable another person to participate in such betting. The offence is punishable by imprisonment for a term of between three months and five years.<\/p>\n<p>Article 48 of the Sports Act addresses trading in influence in sport. It criminalizes claiming to have influence within a Polish sports federation or certain entities associated with it and undertaking to act as an intermediary in determining the result or course of a sporting competition in exchange for a financial or personal benefit. Giving or promising a benefit in return for such intermediation, involving the unlawful exertion of influence over the conduct of a person performing a specified function, is also punishable. The basic offence carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term of between 6 months and 8 years.<\/p>\n<p>Additional mechanisms of criminal liability are provided for in Articles 49 and 49a of the Sports Act. Article 49 allows perpetrators of certain offences involving the giving of benefits to avoid criminal liability if they satisfy the statutory conditions for voluntarily notifying law enforcement authorities and disclosing material circumstances of the offence. Article 49a of the Sports Act provides for additional consequences of conviction, including a mandatory prohibition on holding certain positions or performing certain functions related to the organization of sporting competitions and, in the event of a subsequent conviction, a lifetime prohibition.<\/p>\n<p>It should be emphasized that the criminal provisions of the Sports Act do not automatically apply to every instance of competition manipulation. Their application depends on the specific statutory elements of the relevant offence being satisfied, including the connection between the conduct and competitions organized by the entities specified in the Act. Other forms of conduct may give rise to criminal liability under general criminal law provisions.<\/p>\n<p>Independently of criminal liability, manipulation of the course or results of sporting competitions may constitute a disciplinary offence under the regulations of Polish sports federations and the relevant international sports federations. Disciplinary sanctions may include financial penalties, disqualification, bans on participation in sporting activities and, in the case of clubs, sanctions affecting their participation in competitions. An example is the Polish Football Association (PZPN), which applies its own disciplinary regulations and cooperates with UEFA in combating match-fixing. In a statement issued on 7 January 2026, the PZPN Disciplinary Officer highlighted the risks of manipulation of friendly matches, reminding clubs of their obligation to report suspicions of match-fixing and the disciplinary consequences of failing to fulfil that obligation.<\/p>\n<p>Poland signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (the Macolin Convention) on 7 July 2015 but has not yet ratified it. Despite not having ratified the Convention, Poland has taken steps to promote international cooperation in this area. In 2017, an informal operational group was established at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism to monitor suspicious betting activities and facilitate information sharing between public authorities, law enforcement agencies, sports organizations and licensed betting operators<\/p>\n<p>The betting market in Poland is legal but subject to strict state regulation. Operating betting activities, whether through physical betting outlets or online, requires an appropriate permit issued by the minister responsible for public finances. A permit issued in another country does not, in itself, authorize an operator to offer betting services in Poland.<\/p>\n<p>The principal restrictions and requirements applicable to betting operators include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the obligation to obtain a Polish license and conduct operations in accordance with the approved rules;<\/li>\n<li>the prohibition on allowing persons under the age of 18 to participate in betting;<\/li>\n<li>specific restrictions on advertising, promotion and sponsorship communications, including restrictions on advertising directed at minors;<\/li>\n<li>obligations relating to the identification of participants, registration and documentation of activities, to the extent required by law;<\/li>\n<li>the possibility of administrative measures being taken against illegal operators, including the entry of internet domains in the register of domains used to offer gambling services in breach of the Act;<\/li>\n<li>the obligation to pay gambling tax.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Betting operators play a significant role in financing Polish sport through sponsorship agreements concluded with clubs, leagues, event organizers and sports organizations. Such sponsorship is, however, subject to the advertising restrictions mentioned in the previous answers.<\/p>\n<p>From the perspective of combating match-fixing, the betting industry is also important as a potential source of information about unusual and suspicious betting patterns. Cooperation between operators, sports organizations and the relevant authorities can help identify instances of competition manipulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there an institution safeguarding the integrity across sports in your country, e.g. ethics and doping violations or abuse cases? Which rules does such an institution apply?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Poland does not have a single institution with general jurisdiction over all breaches of sports integrity, encompassing doping, sports corruption, competition manipulation, breaches of ethical standards, and violence and other forms of abuse against participants in sport. The Polish system for safeguarding sports integrity is decentralized, with responsibilities in this area divided among specialized public institutions, Polish sports federations and their disciplinary bodies, and the competent state authorities.<\/p>\n<p>In the field of anti-doping, the principal institution is the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), which operates under the Act of 21 April 2017 on Combating Doping in Sport. POLADA is a state legal entity supervised by the minister responsible for physical culture. Its responsibilities include, in particular, establishing anti-doping rules, planning and conducting doping controls, managing the results of those controls, conducting investigations, and carrying out educational and preventive activities.<\/p>\n<p>POLADA performs its functions pursuant to the Act on Combating Doping in Sport and the Polish Anti-Doping Rules, which incorporate the World Anti-Doping Code and the relevant international standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).<\/p>\n<p>Cases concerning disciplinary liability for doping are heard at first and second instance by the independent and impartial Disciplinary Panel established under Article 35 of the Act on Combating Doping in Sport. The Panel is a specialized adjudicatory body within the Polish anti-doping system and is functionally separate from POLADA in its adjudication of disciplinary cases. These proceedings are governed by the provisions of the Act and the applicable anti-doping rules, including the procedural and substantive regulations arising from the WADA framework. Decisions of the Panel may be appealed in accordance with the procedures laid down in the applicable anti-doping rules.<\/p>\n<p>Polish sports federations play a central role in addressing breaches of sporting ethics, corruption, competition manipulation and other disciplinary offences. Pursuant to the Sports Act of 25 June 2010 and their own statutes and disciplinary regulations, these federations establish the rules governing disciplinary liability in their respective sports. The disciplinary regulations specify, in particular, the persons and entities subject to disciplinary liability, the acts constituting disciplinary offences, the types of sanctions, the competent bodies and the applicable procedures.<\/p>\n<p>Final disciplinary decisions of Polish sports federations may, subject to the rules and exceptions laid down in the Sports Act, be reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Polish Olympic Committee. The Tribunal therefore performs an important function in the system of review of disciplinary decisions, but it does not have jurisdiction to conduct proceedings concerning every category of breach of sports integrity.<\/p>\n<p>The protection of participants in sport against violence, sexual abuse, discrimination and other forms of misconduct is governed by both the relevant regulations of sports organizations and generally applicable law. Of particular importance are the provisions of the Criminal Code and the Act of 13 May 2016 on Counteracting Threats of Sexual Crime and the Protection of Minors. Under this Act, entities conducting sporting activities involving minors that fall within its scope are required to implement standards for the protection of minors. These standards should specify, in particular, the rules governing safe relationships between staff and minors, conduct prohibited in relation to minors, intervention procedures where abuse is suspected, and the rules for reporting relevant incidents to the competent authorities.<\/p>\n<p>However, no single, comprehensive statutory framework has been established to protect all participants in sport against violence and other forms of abuse, covering all sports and categories of participants and providing a uniform mechanism for handling complaints. Such protection is afforded through various provisions of generally applicable law and the internal regulations of individual sports organizations. Where conduct constitutes a criminal offence, particularly sports corruption, violence or sexual abuse, jurisdiction lies with law enforcement authorities and the ordinary courts. Criminal liability may arise independently of disciplinary liability under sports regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The minister responsible for physical culture also plays an important role within the institutional framework, being responsible for implementing state policy in the field of sport and exercising the supervisory powers conferred by law. The minister supervises Polish sports federations within the limits prescribed by the Sports Act and POLADA in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Combating Doping in Sport. However, the minister does not have general jurisdiction to adjudicate individual cases concerning all categories of breaches of sports integrity.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, the protection of sports integrity in Poland is based on the coexistence of several distinct legal and institutional mechanisms. POLADA is responsible for implementing the national anti-doping system, the independent Disciplinary Panel adjudicates cases concerning liability for doping, Polish sports federations enforce ethical and disciplinary rules within their respective sports, while the competent state authorities apply the provisions governing criminal liability and the protection of participants in sport. These institutions operate pursuant to the relevant legislation, sports regulations and, to the extent applicable, international standards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is corruption in sport regulated in your country? Is corruption between private individuals subject to criminal or civil liability and are there any sport specific corruption regulations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Corruption in sport in Poland is governed by both criminal law provisions and the disciplinary regulations of the relevant sports organizations. In certain circumstances, it may also give rise to civil liability.<\/p>\n<p>Specific provisions concerning sports corruption are set out in Articles 46-49 of the Sports Act of 25 June 2010, which are discussed in greater detail in the response concerning the manipulation of sporting competitions (match-fixing). These provisions criminalize, in particular, the acceptance, giving or promising of financial or personal benefits in exchange for dishonest conduct that may affect the result or course of a sporting competition, as well as certain forms of trading in influence in sport.<\/p>\n<p>Criminal liability for sports corruption may also arise in dealings between private individuals, as the application of these provisions does not depend on the perpetrator having the status of a public entity. Depending on the circumstances, the general provisions of the Criminal Code may also apply, particularly Article 296a, which concerns corruption in business transactions.<\/p>\n<p>Independently of criminal liability, corrupt conduct may give rise to civil liability, particularly liability for damages under the general principles set out in Article 415 et seq. of the Civil Code, provided that the relevant conditions for such liability are satisfied. Legal acts connected with corruption may also be assessed for invalidity under Article 58 of the Civil Code.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, sports corruption may constitute a disciplinary offence under the statutes and regulations of the relevant Polish sports federations, irrespective of any criminal or civil liability. Sanctions may include, among others, financial penalties, disqualification and prohibition from performing specified functions in sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is fan behavior regulated by law (for example banning orders, criminal penalties for violence, specific laws addressing measures against violence at sporting events etc.)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Spectator conduct at sporting events in Poland is governed primarily by the Act of 20 March 2009 on the Safety of Mass Events, the Criminal Code and the Code of Petty Offences. The Act on the Safety of Mass Events provides for specific measures aimed at preventing violence and disturbances of public order during sporting events. These include court &#8211; imposed bans on attending mass events, club &#8211; imposed bans, obligations imposed on event organizers and criminal liability for certain conduct by participants. The provisions of the Act apply to events meeting the statutory criteria for mass events, including mass sporting events and football matches.<\/p>\n<p>The principal instrument for combating stadium violence is the court-imposed ban on attending mass events, regulated by Article 41b of the Criminal Code and Article 65 et seq. of the Act on the Safety of Mass Events. Such bans may be imposed on perpetrators of certain criminal offences and petty offences. The legislature has established particularly stringent rules for mass sporting events, including football matches.<\/p>\n<p>Under Article 65(2) of the Act on the Safety of Mass Events, where a person is punished for one of the petty offences specified in that provision, committed in connection with a mass sporting event (including a football match), the court must impose a ban on attending mass events for a period of between 2 and 6 years. This requirement applies to the petty offences like, among others, disturbances of public order, damage to property and certain breaches of mass-event safety rules. By comparison, in the case of the petty offences listed in Article 65(1), committed in connection with a mass artistic or entertainment event, the imposition of such a ban is discretionary.<\/p>\n<p>The provisions of the above-mentioned Act further provide for the possibility of imposing a ban for a period of 2 to 6 years on a person who commits a petty offence of a hooligan nature. The same applies to a petty offence involving possession of a dangerous instrument in a public place, where the circumstances of its possession indicate an intention to use it to commit a criminal offence.<\/p>\n<p>With regard to criminal offences, Article 66 of the Act on the Safety of Mass Events provides for the mandatory imposition of a ban on attending mass events on perpetrators of specified offences committed in connection with a mass sporting event, including a football match. These include offences against life and health, offences against public safety and specified offences against public officials. This requirement also applies to perpetrators of the offences such as unlawfully entering such an event, throwing objects or bringing weapons into the venue.<\/p>\n<p>A ban on attending mass events may be accompanied by additional monitoring obligations. The provisions of the Act on the Safety of Mass Events providing that, when imposing a ban for an offence committed in connection with a mass sporting event, the court may require the offender to report to a police station or a location designated by the competent police commander during specified mass events. The court determines the types of events covered by this obligation, including, in particular, the categories of football matches, the names of sports clubs and the geographical scope of the reporting requirement. The obligation is imposed for a period of 6 months to 3 years and may not exceed the duration of the ban on attending mass events.<\/p>\n<p>A ban on attending mass events applies to mass events organized within Poland. In addition,\u00a0 the relevant provisions provide for the possibility of extending the scope of such bans to football matches played abroad by the Polish national team or a Polish sports club.<\/p>\n<p>A separate measure is the club &#8211; imposed ban. It may be imposed by the organizer of a football match on a person who has breached the venue regulations or the regulations governing the mass event. The ban applies to attendance at subsequent football matches involving the organizer\u2019s team and may be imposed for a period not exceeding 2 years.<\/p>\n<p>The Act on the Safety of Mass Events also provides for criminal liability for conduct that endangers the safety of participants in sporting events, including failure to comply with security instructions, unauthorized entry into restricted areas, bringing or possessing alcohol, concealing one&#8217;s identity, throwing dangerous objects and violating the bodily integrity of security or information personnel.<\/p>\n<p>Organizers\u2019 obligations and preventive measures constitute another important element of the Polish framework for ensuring safety at sporting events. Security personnel may refuse admission to persons subject to an attendance ban, persons visibly under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances, persons carrying dangerous objects, or persons whose conduct poses a threat to safety. They may also remove individuals who disturb public order or breach the event regulations.<\/p>\n<p>Specific arrangements apply to football matches, particularly those organized within the three highest divisions of men&#8217;s football. These include requirements to identify spectators, use electronic ticketing and access control systems, and verify information concerning persons subject to attendance bans. Furthermore, a minor under the age of 13 may attend a football match only when accompanied by an adult.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to statutory requirements, organizers of sporting events and the relevant sports federations apply regulations governing spectator conduct. These include prohibitions on violence, discriminatory behaviour, the use of pyrotechnics and disruption of sporting competitions. Breaches of these regulations may result in refusal of admission, removal from the venue or other consequences provided for by law and the applicable sports regulations.<\/p>\n<p>Clubs may also incur disciplinary liability for spectator conduct under the regulations of the relevant federations and competition organizers, independently of the individual liability of the perpetrators.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, Polish law establishes a multi-layered framework for preventing violence and misconduct by spectators. It combines criminal liability and liability for petty offences, court-imposed bans on attending mass events, club-imposed bans, preventive obligations imposed on organizers and the internal regulations of sports organizations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legal frameworks exist around the ownership and governance of professional sports clubs (e.g. foreign ownership restrictions, fan ownership models, licensing requirements)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Poland, the rules governing the establishment, ownership and management of professional sports clubs derive primarily from the Sports Act of 25 June 2010, the Commercial Companies Code and the Law on Associations. Legislation concerning foreign investment, as well as the regulations of the relevant Polish sports federations and competition organizers, particularly club licensing requirements, is also of significant importance.<\/p>\n<p>Polish law does not prescribe a single mandatory ownership or governance model for all professional sports clubs. Under Article 3 of the Sports Act, sporting activities are conducted, in particular, through sports clubs, which must operate as legal entities. Clubs may take various legal forms, including commercial companies (limited liability companies or joint-stock companies) and associations. In practice, professional sports clubs, particularly those competing in the highest divisions, frequently operate as commercial companies. However, the choice of legal form may be subject to additional requirements under the regulations governing a particular sport or league. One example is the requirement applicable to clubs competing in Poland&#8217;s top-tier football league, the Ekstraklasa, to operate as joint-stock companies, as set out in the PZPN Club Licensing Manual.<\/p>\n<p>Where clubs operate as commercial companies, their ownership structures and governance arrangements are governed primarily by the Commercial Companies Code. Their owners may include individuals, legal entities, institutional investors and local government units, subject to the applicable legal provisions. Limited liability companies and joint-stock companies have the corporate bodies prescribed for their respective legal forms, including, in particular, a management board and the relevant shareholder and supervisory bodies.<\/p>\n<p>Specific requirements apply to clubs participating in professional leagues. Under Article 15(3) of the Sports Act, professional leagues in team sports may comprise only clubs operating as joint-stock companies or limited liability companies. A professional league is managed by a legal entity operating as a commercial company. The rules governing its operation are established in an agreement between the relevant Polish sports federation and the company managing the league, which requires the approval of the minister responsible for physical culture.<\/p>\n<p>Polish law does not impose a general prohibition on foreign ownership of professional sports clubs or specific limits on the shares or equity interests that foreign investors may hold. As a general rule, foreign investors may therefore acquire shares or equity interests in Polish sports clubs in accordance with the applicable provisions of commercial law. However, such transactions may be subject to general regulations governing merger control, competition protection, the screening of certain foreign investments and anti-money laundering. Depending on the transaction structure and the nature of the club&#8217;s activities, legislation governing the acquisition of real estate by foreigners may also apply. These restrictions are not, however, specific to the sports sector.<\/p>\n<p>Participation by professional clubs in sporting competitions is also subject to licensing requirements established by the relevant Polish sports federations and competition organizers. There is no single licensing system applicable to professional clubs across all sports. The scope of the requirements depends on the sport, the level of competition and the applicable national and international regulations. For example, as noted above, football clubs participating in the Ekstraklasa must satisfy the requirements set out in the PZPN Club Licensing Manual. These include sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administrative, legal and financial criteria, including obligations to disclose their ownership structure and financial position and demonstrate the absence of certain overdue liabilities. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in licensing sanctions, refusal to grant a license or revocation of an existing license.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you observe an increase in multi-sport ownership in your country, either across various sports or within one sport or sports discipline?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Poland, multi-club ownership (MCO), whereby a single investor owns several separate sports clubs, is not currently widespread. A considerably more common model is that of multi-sport clubs, in which teams representing different sports operate under a common brand, sometimes through separate legal entities.<\/p>\n<p>There have been isolated reports of owners of larger clubs expressing interest in investing in smaller sports clubs. However, these reports do not provide a sufficient basis for identifying a clear trend or making predictions about the development of MCO in Poland.<\/p>\n<p>A significant obstacle to the development of MCO in sports such as football is Article 15 \u00a7 7 of the Statute of the PZPN. Under this provision, a natural or legal person who is a member of a club affiliated with the PZPN or holds shares or equity interests in such a club may not simultaneously be a member, shareholder or equity holder, or serve on the governing bodies, of another club participating in football competitions.<\/p>\n<p>This restriction is not limited to clubs competing in the same division or to majority shareholdings. It therefore significantly restricts the possibility of establishing multi-club ownership structures in Polish football.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any mandatory national provisions, apart from regulations of international sports governing bodies, which regulate athlete representation in your jurisdiction and are there specific limitations to the representation of athletes, such as e.g. provisions regarding dual representation, caps on agent commissions, regulations on the protection of minor athletes?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Polish law does not provide for a separate, comprehensive statutory framework governing the activities of sports agents or a uniform agent licensing system applicable across all sports. The rules governing the representation of athletes derive primarily from the general provisions of civil law and, in individual sports, from the regulations of the relevant sports federations.<\/p>\n<p>The legal basis for relationships between athletes and their agents is established, in particular, by the provisions of the Civil Code concerning freedom of contract (Article 353\u00b9), contracts of mandate and the provision of services (Article 734 et seq. and Article 750), and, where an agent is authorized to perform legal acts on behalf of an athlete, the provisions governing powers of attorney (Articles 95\u2013109). These provisions are of general application and do not establish specific licensing requirements for sports agents.<\/p>\n<p>Article 108 of the Civil Code may apply to dual representation. Under this provision, an attorney-in-fact may not, as a general rule, represent both parties to the same legal transaction, unless this is permitted by the terms of the power of attorney or the nature of the transaction precludes any possibility of prejudice to the principal&#8217;s interests. However, this restriction concerns representation in the legal sense and does not automatically extend to every situation in which an agent provides advisory or negotiation services to more than one party involved in a transaction.<\/p>\n<p>Polish legislation also does not impose a general cap on sports agents&#8217; commissions. The amount of remuneration is generally determined by contractual agreement, subject to mandatory provisions of law and the applicable sports regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The protection of minor athletes derives primarily from the general provisions of the Civil Code and the Family and Guardianship Code. Persons under the age of 13 generally lack legal capacity to perform legal acts, while minors aged 13 or over have limited capacity to perform legal acts. Accordingly, the conclusion of a representation agreement that imposes obligations on a minor requires the appropriate involvement or consent of their legal representative, pursuant to Articles 12\u201318 of the Civil Code. In certain circumstances, particularly where a transaction exceeds the scope of ordinary management of the child&#8217;s property, authorization from the guardianship court may also be required.<\/p>\n<p>Detailed requirements concerning the representation of minor athletes may also arise under the regulations of the relevant sports federations.<\/p>\n<p>Football regulations are of particular practical significance. The activities of football agents in Poland are governed by the PZPN Football Agents Regulations, adopted by Resolution No. VII\/116 of the PZPN Executive Board of 8 August 2023, as amended, and the relevant FIFA regulations. The PZPN Regulations govern, among other matters, the conclusion of representation agreements, agents&#8217; obligations, requirements concerning the representation of minors and the rules governing disciplinary liability.<\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that special rules apply to the representation of minor players (under 18). In particular, initial contact should be aimed at arranging a discussion with the player&#8217;s parents, and the agent must obtain the relevant authorizations before commencing the professional relationship. Agents are not permitted to receive commission for services provided to minor players unless the services concern the player&#8217;s first professional contract and written parental consent has been obtained. A representation agreement with a player under 18 may be concluded no earlier than six months before the date on which the player becomes eligible to sign their first professional contract.<\/p>\n<p>However, it should be noted that, with effect from 1 January 2024, the application of certain provisions of the PZPN Football Agents Regulations was suspended, particularly those concerning caps on agents&#8217; remuneration, payment rules and deadlines, and restrictions on dual representation. The suspension followed a corresponding decision by FIFA concerning the application of the FIFA Football Agent Regulations. Consequently, the commission caps and dual representation restrictions contained in the original regulations should not be presented as unconditionally applicable in Poland.<\/p>\n<p>In summary, Poland does not have specific, uniform statutory provisions governing the representation of athletes by agents across all sports. The general principles of civil law concerning contracts, powers of attorney, conflicts of interest and the protection of minors apply, supplemented by the regulations of individual sports federations. Detailed restrictions on agents&#8217; activities are therefore primarily regulatory in nature, arising from the rules of sports governing bodies, and their scope and current application depend on the sport concerned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there national statutory frameworks, apart from regulations of international sports governing bodies, or cases concerning the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sport in your country? How is the issue currently regulated and\/or debated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Polish law does not contain separate statutory provisions comprehensively regulating the participation of transgender athletes in sporting competitions, particularly the criteria for determining their eligibility to compete in women&#8217;s or men&#8217;s categories. The Sports Act of 25 June 2010 does not establish specific eligibility criteria for transgender athletes.<\/p>\n<p>In practice, the rules governing participation in particular competition categories are determined primarily by the relevant sports federations, taking into account the international regulations applicable to each sport. Consequently, the eligibility criteria for transgender athletes may vary depending on the sport, the level of competition and the applicable regulations.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the general provisions of Polish law concerning the protection of human dignity, personal rights and the principle of equal treatment apply, particularly Articles 30 and 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and Articles 23 and 24 of the Civil Code. However, these provisions do not themselves establish detailed criteria for eligibility to participate in sporting competitions.<\/p>\n<p>An example of the application of specific sporting eligibility criteria in Poland is provided by the World Athletics regulations governing eligibility to compete in the women&#8217;s category, which were the subject of information published by the Polish Athletics Association in 2025. These regulations include specific requirements for verifying the eligibility of female athletes to participate in competitions at the world level. However, they are regulations adopted by a sports federation rather than provisions of Polish legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The participation of transgender athletes in sport is the subject of ongoing debate concerning how to reconcile the principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination with the need to ensure fair competition and athlete safety. This debate takes place primarily in the context of measures adopted by international sports federations rather than a separate legislative process in Poland. Specific disputes have also arisen in Poland concerning eligibility criteria for women&#8217;s categories in amateur competitions.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, the participation of transgender athletes in sporting competitions in Poland is currently regulated primarily at the level of individual sports and sports organizations, subject to the general principles of national law. There is no uniform statutory framework governing these matters across Polish sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the legal framework for e-sports in your jurisdiction? Is there a specific Statute or Code in your country or motions to implement such?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Poland does not have a separate statute or code comprehensively regulating e-sports. The principal piece of legislation in this area is the Sports Act of 25 June 2010, Article 2(1a) of which provides that sport also includes competition based on intellectual activity aimed at achieving a sporting result. This provision, introduced in 2017, allows e-sports to be classified as sport under Polish law.<\/p>\n<p>E-sports activities are also subject to generally applicable legislation, particularly the Civil Code, the Labour Code, copyright law, tax law, and regulations concerning consumer protection and personal data protection. An important role is also played by tournament organizers\u2019 regulations and rules established by video game publishers, which hold the intellectual property rights to the games used in competitions.<\/p>\n<p>Efforts are underway to develop specific regulations for e-sports. By Order No. 3 of 15 February 2025, the Minister of Digital Affairs established a Working Group for the Development of Draft Legal Regulations Governing E-sports in Poland. Its responsibilities include analyzing the e-sports market and preparing regulatory proposals and recommendations for its future development. However, the establishment of the Working Group does not, in itself, mean that a draft law has been adopted or that new legal obligations have been introduced.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, the Polish legal system recognizes the possibility of treating e-sports as sport but does not establish a separate, comprehensive legal framework for the e-sports industry. Its operation is governed by generally applicable legislation, sports regulations where applicable, and the contractual and organizational rules governing individual competitions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which has been the leading sports law case of the past year in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>One of the more interesting cases to have arisen in the past 12 months lies at the intersection of sports law, local government law and EU competition law. The case concerns the match between \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw and Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w in Matchweek 24 of the 2025\/2026 Polish First League season. The dispute arose when, on 27 February 2026, \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw issued a statement announcing its decision not to admit an organized group of visiting supporters to the match. The home club relied on Resolution No. II\/85 of the Executive Board of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), commonly referred to as the \u201caway supporters resolution\u201d, and stated that: \u201c<em>An assessment of the risks demonstrated that the presence of an organized group of visiting supporters, whose relations with the home team&#8217;s supporters are highly antagonistic, would significantly increase the likelihood of incidents disturbing public order, both inside and outside the stadium, particularly in areas surrounding transport infrastructure and public spaces within the city. The decision not to admit the organized group of visiting supporters is preventive in nature and reflects the event organizer\u2019s duty to exercise due care in organizing a mass event<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The decision met with strong opposition from Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w, which argued that \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw&#8217;s reliance on the aforementioned resolution of the PZPN Executive Board was unfounded. The resolution requires the existence of \u201cparticularly justified circumstances where there are genuine, documented grounds indicating a potential threat to the safety of participants or the conduct of the match\u201d. \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw had failed to identify any such grounds in the reasons given for its decision. In Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w&#8217;s view, the refusal to admit visiting supporters was based solely on the match organizer\u2019s unilateral and arbitrary assessment. The club emphasized that the PZPN regulations expressly provide that the justification for a decision not to admit visiting supporters must, in each case, be assessed by the competent disciplinary bodies of the PZPN.<\/p>\n<p>The club further argued that refusing admission to an organized group of visiting supporters is an exceptional measure. As a derogation from the general principle that supporters of both teams may attend a sporting event, it should therefore be interpreted strictly. In this context, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w invoked the principle of <em>exceptiones non sunt extendendae<\/em>, under which exceptions to a general rule must not be interpreted expansively. In its public statements, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w also alleged breaches of the PZPN Code of Ethics, maintaining that \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw&#8217;s actions were discriminatory towards its supporters and infringed, among other principles, fair play, integrity, fairness and equality in sport. Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w additionally argued that the mere classification of the fixture as a high-risk match did not constitute sufficient grounds for refusing admission to an organized group of visiting supporters. In the club&#8217;s view, such a classification required the organizer to implement appropriately enhanced security measures rather than exclude visiting supporters from attending the match. Furthermore, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w emphasized that, under the Act on the Safety of Mass Events, responsibility for properly preparing the stadium and ensuring the safety of all event participants rests with the home club as match organizer. Consequently, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w maintained that reliance on security concerns to justify the refusal to admit visiting supporters raised questions about the organizer\u2019s ability to ensure the safety of the players, coaching staff and club delegation during the match.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w&#8217;s strong objections and the involvement of PZPN officials, including the federation&#8217;s president, in mediation efforts, \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw maintained its position. As a result, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w did not appear for the league match scheduled for 7 March 2026. This decision was both an expression of the club&#8217;s solidarity with its supporters and a reflection of its position, outlined above. Images broadcast by the media showing \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw&#8217;s players preparing for kick-off, with the opposing team absent from the pitch, acquired symbolic significance. They came to represent a dispute extending beyond sporting competition, reflecting a conflict concerning the principles of equality and the interpretation and enforcement of federation regulations governing the organization of competitions and the attendance of visiting supporters at away matches.<\/p>\n<p>An important aspect of this case is that both clubs were ultimately sanctioned by the competent bodies, which treated Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w&#8217;s failure to appear for the match and \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw&#8217;s refusal to admit visiting supporters as two separate matters, notwithstanding the causal connection between them.<\/p>\n<p>On 13 March 2026, the PZPN Competitions Committee decided to award a walkover against Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w, officially recording the match as a 3-0 victory for \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw. Separately, at its meeting on 16 March 2026, the PZPN Disciplinary Committee considered the disciplinary proceedings concerning the refusal to admit supporters of TS Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w S.A. The Committee found WKS \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw S.A. responsible for the alleged offence and imposed a disciplinary financial penalty of PLN 1,000,000 (one million Polish zlotys). \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw appealed against the penalty to the PZPN Supreme Appeals Committee, but the penalty was upheld. The circumstances were somewhat unusual. The walkover constituted a decision concerning the official verification of the match result, whereas the PLN 1 million fine was a disciplinary sanction. Although both matters arose from the same incident, they were examined in separate proceedings by different first-instance bodies.<\/p>\n<p>Another particularly interesting aspect of the case concerns EU competition law. During the dispute and the exchange of public statements between the clubs, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w expressly announced in one of its statements that it would \u201c<em>submit a formal complaint to the European Commission concerning the potentially unlawful financing of \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw from public funds, particularly in the context of State aid rules, the distortion of fair competition in professional sport and restrictions on supporters&#8217; rights<\/em>\u201d. The club also stated that it would refer the matter to \u201c<em>the competent FIFA and UEFA bodies concerning breaches of the principles of equal and fair competition<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>This position arose from the fact that the Municipality of Wroc\u0142aw, a local government unit, is a shareholder in WKS \u015al\u0105sk Wroc\u0142aw S.A. In the middle of the 2025\/2026 season, while both clubs were competing in the same league, the municipality provided the club with an additional capital injection of PLN 30 million. In Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w&#8217;s view, this constituted a breach of Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), amounting to selective State aid to the detriment of other undertakings operating in the same market.<\/p>\n<p>Publicly available information does not indicate that the complaint has yet been submitted. Nevertheless, Wis\u0142a Krak\u00f3w has never withdrawn its declaration, and the potential extension of the dispute from the domestic arena to the international level would add a further dimension of interest to the case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What other sports law topic(s) would you highlight as being very current and relevant in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Among the current and significant issues in Polish sports law, three matters are particularly worthy of attention:<\/p>\n<p>First, a regulatory development has strengthened the legal protection afforded to sports referees. An amendment to the Sports Act in 2026 extended to sports referees the legal protection afforded to public officials when performing duties connected with the conduct of sporting competitions organized by entities specified in the Act. In particular, this means that violations of a referee&#8217;s bodily integrity, the use of violence or unlawful threats against a referee to influence the performance of their duties, and insults directed at a referee may give rise to criminal liability under Articles 222\u2013226 of the Criminal Code. These provisions impose more severe criminal penalties under the chapter concerning offences against the activities of state institutions. The amendment is intended to combat aggression towards referees and enhance their safety during sporting competitions. However, it does not confer the status of public official on referees, but rather grants them special protection under criminal law.<\/p>\n<p>The second significant development concerns the extension of maternity-related protections for female athletes. The same amendment introduced more favourable rules governing the payment of sports scholarships following childbirth. In particular, female members of national teams who become unable to practice sport as a result of pregnancy or childbirth are entitled to receive their sports scholarships for 12 months following childbirth, rather than the previous six months, at 81.5% of the awarded scholarship instead of 50%. The amended provisions also apply, as appropriate, to sports scholarships awarded by local government units to female athletes who become unable to practice sport as a result of pregnancy or childbirth. The amendment aims to provide female athletes with greater financial stability during maternity and facilitate their return to professional sport. It also represents an important step towards improving the position of women in professional sport.<\/p>\n<p>Both amendments entered into force on 22 May 2026.<\/p>\n<p>A further topical issue concerns increasing transparency, developing rules governing the financing of sport from public funds, and strengthening oversight of how those funds are spent. Public funding plays a significant role in financing sport in Poland, particularly through support provided to sports clubs by local government units. Such support may be based on an ownership model established under the Act on Municipal Economy, which permits municipalities to hold shares in sports clubs where those clubs are of significant importance to the municipality&#8217;s development. However, there are no strict criteria for determining such significance, and these provisions are sometimes misused. This is particularly relevant to clubs participating in professional competitions. Questions concerning the transparency of funding allocation, the justification for providing financial support, the proper use of subsidies, liability for potential irregularities, and the impact on competition with entities that do not receive such assistance remain pertinent.<\/p>\n<p>Although this issue is not currently the subject of legislative action, it continues to feature prominently in discussions concerning the state of Polish sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">9669<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/153654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}