What Do We Determine in the Initial Assessment?
A sporting incident can affect a criminal investigation, federation discipline, compensation and the insurance process at the same time. The conditions and the assessment of evidence differ for each route. An internal review does not replace the procedures of the competent authority; the safety of the victim and the integrity of the evidence are taken into account from the start.
Match-fixing, incentive bonuses, illegal betting and the integrity of competition
Match-fixing, incentive bonuses, illegal betting, misuse of inside information and manipulation of a competition can have disciplinary, criminal, club management and reputational consequences for the same incident.
Scope of services:
- Investigations and cases under Law No. 6222
- Criminal and sports disciplinary processes concerning match-fixing and incentive bonus allegations
- Illegal betting, betting advertising, facilitating money transfers and related charges
- Internal investigations concerning athletes, referees, managers and club personnel
- Competition integrity, information sharing and whistleblowing policies
- Coordinating the parallel processes of the public prosecutor, law enforcement, the federation and the sports judicial bodies
- Assessing asset measures, contract termination and sponsorship consequences
Violence in sport, bans from attending matches and security procedures
Allegations of violence, threats, insult, damage to property, entering prohibited areas and disturbing order in sports venues can lead to bans from attending matches and federation sanctions as well as criminal proceedings.
In this area:
- Investigations and criminal cases under Law No. 6222
- Application of the measure banning attendance at matches, and objections
- Reviewing electronic tickets, camera recordings, law enforcement reports and identification procedures
- Security obligations of clubs and organizers
- Disputes concerning fan groups, away matches and the order of the competition
- Claims for compensation for injury and property damage
Sports organizations, stadiums and facilities
Sports organizations require numerous contracts among the event owner, the federation, the club, the facility operator, the ticketing company, security, health and service providers.
Scope of services:
- National and international tournament and competition organization agreements
- Hosting, candidacy and organization rights
- Lease or operating agreements for stadiums, arenas, training camp centers and sports facilities
- Zoning, permit, accessibility and occupational health and safety processes
- Ticketing, electronic ticket, accommodation, transport and service agreements
- Legal review of security, private security, health and emergency plans
- Postponement or cancellation of an event, playing without spectators and force majeure
- Liability and insurance toward spectators, athletes and third parties
Athlete health, injuries, insurance and safe sport
Information on an athlete’s health is special category personal data. Medical examinations, injury reports, treatment preferences and return-to-sport decisions must be handled together with the rules on confidentiality, informed consent and professional liability.
Scope of services:
- Medical examinations, performance testing and medical data processes
- Injury, treatment, rehabilitation and return-to-sport protocols
- Authority and responsibility among the club, medical staff and an independent physician
- Personal accident, health, disability and career insurance
- Disputes over pecuniary and non-pecuniary compensation arising from sports accidents
- Reports of harassment, abuse, discrimination, retaliation and safe sport
- Confidentiality, investigation and protective measure policies
Preventive sports law, ethics and internal investigations
A compliance system put in place before a dispute arises can reduce the sporting and financial risks of a club and of sports stakeholders.
Scope of services:
- Compliance program with sports legislation and federation instructions
- Code of ethics, conflict of interest, gift and hospitality policies
- Training on the risks of doping, betting, match-fixing, harassment and retaliation
- Whistleblowing line and internal investigation procedure
- Athlete well-being and child protection system
- Protection of personal data, health data and image recordings
- Inventory of contracts and authorities
- Legal dimension of crisis, media and reputation management
Parallel Processes, Secure Reporting and Evidence
A criminal investigation and sports discipline can be subject to different assessments; the result in one does not in every case automatically end the other. A ban on attending matches, a federation penalty and an access measure by a private facility are distinct. The route of objection is determined together with the nature of the decision and its basis.
The originals of footage or correspondence should be preserved without alteration. Accessing another person’s account without permission or creating an unlawful recording is not recommended as a method of preparing evidence. The sharing of information about children and health is kept limited to what is needed; conflicts of interest and the method of secure communication are assessed in advance.
In an injury, the insurance policy, the incident report and the medical records are reviewed separately. Not every sports accident gives rise to an automatic right to compensation; the conditions of liability, loss and causation are assessed. Medical treatment and the return-to-sport decision are within the field of the competent health professionals.
Our Approach in This Area
We review the incident records, the security plan and the relevant contracts together. In criminal, disciplinary, insurance and compensation files, we separate the steps that affect one another; we take care that information on children and health is shared only to a limited extent.
As Güneş & Güneş Law Firm, from our Antalya office we plan files across Türkiye according to the conditions of jurisdiction and representation. Acceptance of the matter, fees and separate expenses, and the method of keeping you informed are determined in advance. For matters with a foreign element, communication is available in Turkish, English, German and Russian; the need for local representation in a foreign country is assessed separately.
Information Needed at the First Meeting
Prepare the sport, your capacity as a party, the contract and, if there is one, all pages of the decision. Mention the notification record and the date of the upcoming competition, transfer or defense in your first contact. File-specific documents, secure sharing and the method of representation are clarified at the meeting.