Accountable sport: no going again

Summary

This text explores the character and extent of the human rights duties of Sports activities Governing Our bodies (SGBs). The relationships between SGBs and different actors within the sports activities ecosystem have more and more change into considered by means of a human rights lens, with a selected deal with duties as outlined within the United Nations (UN) Guiding Rules on Enterprise and Human Rights (UNGPs), with the UNGPs now acknowledged because the authoritative framework and roadmap for SGBs on human rights. Progress on this regard has been combined. Some SGBs have demonstrated resistance to embracing worldwide human rights norms and requirements, arguing that the UNGPs are non-binding and apply solely to industrial actors, whereas sports activities organisations are largely non-profit organisations with a excessive diploma of autonomy. Others have chosen a distinct path, changing into pioneers in making use of the UNGPs not solely to Mega Sporting Occasions (MSEs), but in addition to their insurance policies, governance mechanisms and operations. Lately, two complementary traits have been noticed: the UNGPs have change into more and more crystallised in circumstances and laws in plenty of jurisdictions and States have intervened in sports-related points on the premise of their obligation to guard affected teams the place nationwide sports activities our bodies haven’t complied with worldwide human rights norms and requirements. Quite than presenting a problem to the world of sport, embracing human rights duties ought to be seen as a chance to underpin the worth of sport, retain the belief of stakeholders and keep a social license to function beneath the dedication to a accountable autonomy.