GOVERNANCE IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL: THE ROUTE FROM SELF-REGULATION TO CONTROLLED AUTONOMY

Abstract

This article examines the concept of governance in its broadest sense, with particular reference to the context of sport and its applicability to European football. To facilitate comprehension of the research problem, the structure of European football’s governance network, its primary stakeholders, and the decision-making process within the network are also described. The paper then proceeds to examine the principal factors and occurrences that have led to the diminution of European football’s autonomy and its transition from self-regulation to a state of controlled autonomy. In order to achieve this objective, the research examines the influence of significant European Union court cases and public authority decisions on the aforementioned process. The objective is to provide a theoretical justification for the key factors and major events that occurred in a specific sequence and resulted in a transformation of governance in European football from self-regulation to controlled autonomy. The methodology employed in this study comprises an analysis and systematization of European Union legislation and court judgments, as well as an examination of scientific and academic publications and Internet resources. This is followed by a comparison and contrast of the findings, which are then subjected to a systemic analysis. The results of the study indicate that the accelerated commercialization of European football has resulted in a number of commercial disputes between European clubs, players, and football governing bodies, which are represented by non-governmental organizations. This resulted in the judicial scrutiny of certain football regulations, which in turn drew the attention of public authorities. This led to the interference of European Union authorities in the autonomy of football by adopting decisions that affected the level of autonomy of international organizations that govern European football. In conclusion, the transformation of governance in European football from self-regulation to controlled autonomy was primarily the result of a series of conflicts of interests on commercial grounds between European clubs, players, and football governing bodies. These conflicts gave rise to interference in football matters from European courts and public authorities.