Explanation of Legal Status of Sports Federations and Associations in the Law of the Ministry of Sport and Youth

Abstract

Sports federations, including the Football Federation, are classified among non-governmental public institutions. Although, from an idealistic perspective, categorizing the Football Federation under non-governmental organizations appears to be a more suitable legal framework—especially in light of international sports regulations and the FIFA Statutes—since it could better preserve the independence of this entity, the prevailing perception and designation of the Football Federation as a non-governmental public institution, considering its current status and the lack of legal, financial, and administrative independence of this body, stems from a superficial analysis. The obligation of the state regarding sports activities in the broad sense is not explicitly stated in religious texts, nor in the apparent meanings of Qur’anic verses and narrations. Therefore, it is necessary to examine fundamental Islamic jurisprudential principles to clarify how responsibility in the field of sports pertains to the government and the religious ruler. Consequently, with regard to sports, no direct and explicit mandate has been stipulated for an Islamic government in religious texts; hence, efforts have been made to derive the responsibility of the religious government toward sports through general jurisprudential rules found in juristic expressions and scholars’ opinions.