Page Number
57
Abstract
International football federations are composed of national associations that have an independent character from their governments. FIFA and UEFA actively defend the autonomy of national associations, including the use of far-reaching "punitive" measures. At the same time, international sports federations require the significant involvement of national governments in the preparation of football championships, which often becomes a crucial factor during the selection process of the championship's host states. Nevertheless, states that are highly affected by such decisions do not have at their disposal many effective tools of control. The existing model also raises questions regarding sovereignty and democratic legitimacy when governments are forced to take decisions at the behest of international federations. The present article, based mainly on the Polish experience, is a reflection on the tensions between the necessary autonomy of sports associations/federations, their accountability in the fulfillment of public tasks and the transparency of the decision-making processes.
Recommended Citation
Szwedo, Piotr
(2011)
"Poland at the Gates of Euro 2012 - Global Sport Governance and the Limits of the State's Autonomy,"
Denver Sports & Entertainment Law Journal: Vol. 11:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/selj/vol11/iss1/3