LEGAL REGULATION OF SPORTS AGENTS IN UKRAINE AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Abstract

This research is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework governing the operation of sports agents as indispensable and key actors within professional sports legal relationships. The urgency of this study stems from the increasing economic importance of the sports industry and the pressing need to ensure the transparency, ethical conduct, and overall effectiveness of agency activities, which directly impact athletes' careers and the financial sustainability of sports clubs. The paper conducts a detailed comparative legal analysis of both Ukrainian national legislation pertaining to intermediary activities in sports and the leading international legal instruments and rules established by major international sports federations, particularly the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) and UEFA rules. Specific focus is placed on identifying the main lacunae and conflicts of law within the current regulatory environment. Among the key problems highlighted are the lack of clarity in the procedures for licensing and certification of sports agents, gaps in establishing their financial and disciplinary liability, and the mechanisms for effective protection of the rights and interests of athletes, who are often in a vulnerable position relative to agents and clubs. A significant part of the discussion centers on the conflicts between the imperative norms of international sports law (lex sportiva) and the provisions of domestic Ukrainian legislation. Based on the analysis, the article provides concrete recommendations for improving the national legal framework, specifically through the mandatory and full implementation of modern international standards, such as the new FIFA Regulations, into domestic sports law. This implementation is argued to be crucial for increasing transparency in transfer agreements, minimizing the risks of corruption in sport, and ensuring fair and impartial dispute resolution involving agents, including access to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).