The Specificity of Sport in the Context of EU Competition Law

This thesis examines whether the concept of the specificity of sport still operates as a meaningful limitation within EU competition law. It analyses how sports governing bodies may fall within the scope of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU when they act as undertakings, associations of undertakings or dominant regulatory bodies with economic power. Through key CJEU case law, including Meca-Medina, ISU, European Superleague, Royal Antwerp and Diarra, the thesis explores the limits of sporting autonomy, the treatment of anti-competitive agreements, and the risk of exclusionary or exploitative abuses by federations.

It concludes that the specificity of sport may justify certain regulatory rules only where they are transparent, necessary and proportionate, and cannot serve as a general exemption from EU competition law.