Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.P.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

International Sports Law

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
JF_396
Branch of Science
International Rights; Law
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Juridical Science; Law; Political Science; Rehabilitation; Sociology; Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Marina Kameņecka-Usova
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Kuldīgas iela 9c, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

The aim of the study course is to provide students with knowledge of the system of sports law, the functioning of international sports organizations, and the legal regulation of sport, as well as to develop skills to analyse legal situations in the field of sport, evaluate sports-related disputes, and apply the principles of international sports law in professional practice.

Preliminary Knowledge

Introduction to legal science, civil law, and European Union law, as well as an interest in the field of sport.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.1. Describes the concept, structure, principles, and main sources of sports law. 2. Describes international sports organisations (e.g., the International Olympic Committee, FIFA) and the significance of their regulatory documents in the regulation of sport. 3. Explains the types of legal liability in the field of sport and the main types of violations of sports law. 4. Describes the system of sports dispute resolution at the international level, in particular the functioning of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 5. Explains the principles of anti-doping regulation and the main international documents in the field of combating doping.

Skills

1.1. Analyses the legal regulation of sport in Latvia and at the international level. 2. Applies sports law terminology and legal principles in the analysis of specific situations in the field of sport. 3. Analyses sports law disputes and identifies possible legal solutions. 4. Evaluates the legal aspects of doping cases based on international legal instruments. 5. Prepares legally reasoned opinions on issues related to sports law.

Competences

1.1. Evaluates the compliance of regulatory documents of sports organisations with legal principles and international standards. 2. Independently analyses legal problems in the field of sport and proposes possible solutions. 3. Argues a legal position in discussions on issues related to sports law.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
20.00% from total grade
10 points

Students prepare a written paper on a selected issue in international sports law, analyse legal documents and cases in the field of sport.
2.

Workshop
30.00% from total grade
10 points

Students prepare a group presentation (15–20 minutes) on a selected issue or dispute in sports law and participate in discussions and case analysis.

Assessment criteria:

  • legal analysis (0–4 points)
  • use of legal sources / legislation (0–2 points)
  • quality of argumentation (0–2 points)
  • structure and quality of the presentation (0–2 points)

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
50.00% from total grade
10 points

Written examination, which includes:

  • theoretical questions
  • case analysis
  • test questions.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Introduction to Sports Law: The concept of sports law, the significance and place of sports law within the legal system, principles of sports law, and the main sources of sports law.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

International Sports Organisations and Regulation: The International Olympic Committee, international sports federations, the Olympic Charter, and other regulatory documents governing sport.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Legal Liability in the Field of Sport: Violations of sports law, types of legal liability in sport, and ensuring safety during sports events.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Legal Liability in the Field of Sport: Violations of sports law, types of legal liability in sport, and ensuring safety during sports events.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Sports Dispute Resolution: Mechanisms for resolving sports disputes, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), mediation and arbitration in the field of sport.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Sports Dispute Resolution: Mechanisms for resolving sports disputes, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), mediation and arbitration in the field of sport.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Anti-Doping Regulation in Sport: The concept of doping in sport, the main principles of combating doping, the World Anti-Doping Code, and international conventions.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Anti-Doping Regulation in Sport: The concept of doping in sport, the main principles of combating doping, the World Anti-Doping Code, and international conventions.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Legal Regulation of Sport in Latvia: The development of sports policy in Latvia, the Sports Law, and the activities of sports institutions in Latvia.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Legal Regulation of Sport in Latvia: The development of sports policy in Latvia, the Sports Law, and the activities of sports institutions in Latvia.

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Sports Dispute Resolution: Mechanisms for resolving sports disputes, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), mediation and arbitration in the field of sport.

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Legal Liability in the Field of Sport: Violations of sports law, types of legal liability in sport, and ensuring safety during sports events.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Sporta Likums// "Latvijas Vēstnesis", 165 (2740), 13.11.2002.

2.

Kameņecka-Usova, M., Zalcmane, K. (2023) Sporta tiesības. Aktuālās problēmas, izaicinājumi un jaunākās tendences. Rīga: Ekonomikas un kultūras augstskola.

3.

Kameņecka-Usova, M., Žīdens, J., Luika, S., Donāne, L., Agapova, O., Stecenko, I., & Griķis, R. (2024). Latvian sports regulation in transition: Navigating historical evolution and contemporary development trends. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 13(4), 437.Suitable for English stream

Additional Reading

1.

Jurista vārds. 16/08/16 Nr. 33 (936)

2.

Zalcmane K. Futbola fanu kriminogēnās izpausmes un to prevencija: Latvijas un ārvalstu pieredze. Promocijas darbs. RSU

3.

Fiege, L. (2025). The social protection of Olympic elite athletes in Europe: A human right trapped between international commitment and domestic institutionalisation. International Sports Law Journal, 25, 234–256.Suitable for English stream

4.

Beck, H., Prinz, A., & van der Burg, T. (2025). The league system, competitive balance, and the future of European football. Managing Sport and Leisure, 30(1), 21–44.Suitable for English stream

5.

Zglinski, J. (2024). Who Owns Football? The Future of Sports Governance and Regulation after European Superleague. LSE Legal Studies Working Paper No. 9/2024.Suitable for English stream

6.

Kameņecka-Usova, M., Korde, Z., Žīdens, J., Luika, S., Agapova, O., Palkova, K., & Martinsone, K. (2025). Research patterns in sports law and sports governance: A Scopus bibliometric study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1590858.

7.

Zalcmane K., Kamenecka-Usova M. Whether sports liability is an independent type of legal liability? Scientific Journal Socrates, 2021, 2(20).

Other Information Sources

1.

International Olympic Committee. Olympic Charter.Suitable for English stream

2.

World Anti-Doping Agency. World Anti-Doping Code.Suitable for English stream

3.

Council of Europe. European Sports Charter