A post by Joëlle Monlouis, originally published on LinkedIn on 29 September 2026. Translated from the original French.
When should a sports federation consult a lawyer? ⚖️⚽
I am often asked at what stage I become involved with a sports federation.
The answer is fairly simple: ideally, before the problem becomes a dispute.
The issues can vary considerably: governance, ethics, disciplinary proceedings, electoral processes, drafting or amending regulations… and, of course, litigation when it arises.
But a significant part of my work takes place upstream.
Sometimes I receive a call when a decision must be made quickly, proceedings are already under way or a sensitive issue is becoming tense. By then, the room for manoeuvre is obviously no longer the same.
Intervening early enough allows time to step back, identify risks, anticipate difficulties and secure decisions before they themselves become a source of problems.
And yes, I sometimes find myself thinking:
“If we had spoken a few weeks or a few months earlier, things would probably have been different.” 😉
Because in sports governance, as in litigation, timing matters.
Indeed, advisory work represents the greater part of my practice: supporting, anticipating and securing matters before difficulties turn into disputes.
And when litigation arises, I admit that I also enjoy the verbal sparring, particularly before the Court of Arbitration for Sport or FIFA’s bodies.
And where it can be avoided, the best dispute is still the one you have anticipated.
#SportsLaw #SportsLaw #Governance #SportGovernance #SportsFederations