The EU General Court issues a judgment stating that an international skating union may apply a prior authorization system for third party events only if the applicable rules and procedures are fair, transparent, and proportionate (International Skating Union)

On 16 December 2020 the General Court of the European Union (the "Court") issued an important ruling in the International Skating Union ("ISU") case. While accepting that sports governing bodies may apply a prior authorisation system for third party events to ensure that all sports competitions meet common standards, the Court stressed that the applicable rules and procedures have to be fair, transparent and proportionate. However, the Court upheld the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sport ("CAS") as the primary body for the adjudication of sports-related disputes. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - KEY TAKEAWAYSSports associations organising their own competitions may legitimately have a pre-authorisation system in place for third party events, to ensure that all sports competitions comply with