2025-09-09
Sports Law – Between Public and Private?
On 9 September 2025, the Sports Law Association of Malaysia (SLAM) successfully hosted an international webinar titled “Sports Law: Between Public and Private? – State Law vs. the Rules Enacted by Sport Governing Bodies.” The webinar featured internationally renowned sports lawyer and governance expert Alexandre Miguel Mestre, whose distinguished career spans legal practice, academia, government, and international sports governance.
The webinar brought together members of the legal fraternity, sports administrators, academics, policymakers, and stakeholders from Malaysia’s sporting ecosystem to examine one of the most important legal questions in modern sport—the relationship between public law and the regulatory autonomy of sport governing bodies.
During his presentation, Alexandre Mestre explored the evolving balance between state intervention and the autonomy of sport. Drawing upon international legal principles and practical examples from Europe and the Olympic Movement, he discussed the legal foundations of sporting autonomy, the role of governments in regulating sport, and the circumstances under which public law may legitimately override the internal rules of sporting organisations.
The session also examined the interaction between national courts, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and international sports federations, highlighting the legal and governance challenges that arise when public law and private sporting regulations intersect. Participants gained valuable comparative insights into how different jurisdictions seek to preserve the independence of sport while ensuring accountability, transparency, integrity, and the protection of athletes’ rights.
The webinar concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, where participants discussed contemporary issues including governance reform, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and the future direction of sports law in an increasingly interconnected sporting landscape.
This webinar reflects SLAM’s commitment to advancing the understanding and development of sports law in Malaysia by facilitating meaningful discussions with internationally recognised experts. SLAM extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Alexandre Miguel Mestre for sharing his invaluable expertise and to all participants for their active engagement, which contributed to the success of the event.
SLAM looks forward to continuing its efforts in promoting education, professional dialogue, and collaboration within the sports law community through future programmes and initiatives.
