Legal Settlement of Misconducts of Sports Players outside Sports Fields: A Comparative Study of the Iranian Football League and Four American Sports leagues

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor of Razi university, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Associate professor, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

 
When misconducts outside the playing field occur by stakeholders of sport, penalties and fines are usually intended by sports clubs. However, if punitive actions were imposed by more formal entities such as the League organization or the Disciplinary Committee, it is likely that these votes will be challenged by the media. In recent years, more stringent disciplinary regulations have been introduced by the world's most prestigious sports leagues for the inappropriate behavior of athletes outside the field of sports and the number and severity of fines for offenders have increased. These punishments are considered with goals such as keeping a healthy environment, the development of healthy communication among sport stakeholders, support for professional ethics, educating good behaviors, providing a positive moral image of sports stakeholders, preventing league losses, and improving the reputation of the league and often beyond the framework of the players' contracts. However, factors such as the lack of defined hearing procedures, the reliance on public opinion in punishment, the magnitude of the misconduct of players, and the large difference in penalties in different leagues have raised questions about the competence and authority of professional sports leagues to punish players for abuse. This article analyzes how to punish misconducts of athletes outside the field of sports in the four major US sports leagues (including National Basketball, Basketball, Hockey, and Soccer), and with Iran’s Premier Football league and in particular, The way things are solved by the Football Federation's Ethics Committee is being compared and adapted.

Keywords

References

1.         Ethical and behavioral code of conduct, The football federation Islamic republic of Iran., 2011, article 6: p. 3.
2.         Renicker, C., A Comparative Analysis of the NFL's Disciplinary Structure: The Commissioner's Power and Player's Rights. Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. LJ, 2015. 26: p. 1051.
3.         Yasser, R.E.a., Sports law cases and materials, in Prop. Media & Ent. LJ. 2006. p. 379
4.         Trebon, K.M., There is no I in team: The commission of group sexual assault by collegiate and professional athletes. DePaul J. Sports L. & Contemp. Probs., 2007. 4: p. 65.
5.         Mahone Jr, M.A., Sentencing Guidelines for the Court of Public Opinion: An Analysis of the National Football League's Revised Personal Conduct Policy. Vand. J. Ent. & Tech. L., 2008. 11: p. 181.
6.         Bukowski, S., Flag on the Play: 25 to Life for the Offense of Murder. Vand. J. Ent. L. & Prac., 2001. 3: p. 106.
7.         Pachman, M.B., Limits on the Discretionary Powers of Professional Sports Commissioners: A Historical and Legal Analysis of Issues Raised by the Pete Rose Controversy. Virginia Law Review, 1990: p. 1409-1439.
8.         NFL, Players ASS'N, Personal Conduct Policy Personal Conduct Policy, 2007.
9.         Kim, J.Y. and M.J. Parlow, Off-court misbehavior: Sports leagues and private punishment. J. Crim. L. & Criminology, 2008. 99: p. 573.
10.       Pollack, J.M., Take My Arbitrator, Please: Commissioner in Best Interests Disciplinary Authority in Professional Sports. Fordham L. Rev., 1998. 67: p. 1645.
11.       Cornwell, W., The Imperial Commissioner Mountain Landis and His Progeny: The Evolving Power of Commissioners over Players. New Eng. L. Rev., 2005. 40: p. 769.
12.       Goodell suspends Pacman, H.f.m.a., Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals ESPN, 2016.
13.       Burnside, Scott. Dress Code Suits NHLers Just Fine. ESPN.com, 2005: p. 3.
14.       Dabbs, E.E., Intentional fouls: Athletes and violence against women. Colum. JL & Soc. Probs., 1997. 31: p. 167.
15.       Ass'n, N.B.P., NBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement art. . 2003.
16.       Burch, H.M. and J.B. Murray, An essay on athletes as role models, their involvement in charities, and considerations in starting a private foundation. Sports Law. J., 1999. 6: p. 249.
17.       O'Hear, M.M., Blue-collar crimes/white-collar criminals: Sentencing elite athletes who commit violent crimes. Marq. Sports L. Rev., 2001. 12: p. 427.
18.       Pollard, D.A., Sex Torts, 91 MINN. Such private punishment may have both specific and general deterrent effects. REv, 2007: p. 769, 813.
19.       Bianchi, M., Ignoring Domestic Abuse Is the Shame of the Sports World, ORLANDO SENTINEL, . 2007: p. 597.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics