The Human Rights Context of a Player Transfer in Professional Football
EU Law Studies
Keywords:
Professional Football Players, Football Player Transfer, Human Rights, EU LawAbstract
This research paper traces the impacts that the European Union (EU) law and regulations on the transfer of professional football players in football are having on the human rights, with a particular focus on implications for professional football player’s recruitment and transfer procedures in the European legal system. This research paper also addresses the latter point by analysing the directions of the EU that the EU policies have been taking, and suggesting some appropriate legal response to avoid the obstacles and to remove existing legal and practical barriers to the free movement of professional football players. This is an academic opportunity to draw attention to the obstacles in the freedom of movement faced by professional football players.
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