Major event legislation: lessons from London and looking forward
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Major event legislation: lessons from London and looking forward Ryan Gauthier
T.M.C. Asser Instituut 2013
Abstract Prior to hosting an event such as the Olympic Games, the host state passes a variety of legislative and administrative acts in support of the event. However, the efficacy of these acts is rarely remarked upon. This article undertakes a cursory examination of the legislation passed by the United Kingdom in advance of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. This article briefly examines the content of the legislation, and some of the problems encountered by the legislation. However, recent events should be re-orienting the discussion on mega-event legislation. Corruption, displacement of persons, and labour and human rights concerns show that the current structure of mega-event legislation is insufficient to address the problems posed by emerging states as hosts of sporting mega-events. Mega-event legislation, as currently constructed using London as an example, does not address any of these concerns. Mega-event legislation is merely sufficient to address the concerns it is currently targeted towards, but is clearly unable to address the concerns facing newer hosts. The failure to address these issues, by governments, or by sporting bodies, will lead to further problems, and could endanger the sport event itself. Keywords Olympic Mega-event London 2012 Legislation
R. Gauthier (&) Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgmeester Oudlaan 50, L-gebouw, Postbus 1738, kamer L6-073, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands e-mail: [email protected]
1 Introduction Brazil has had a law in place that has effectively prohibited alcohol sales at stadiums during football matches since 2003.1 The purpose of the law was to reduce hooliganism, although the effectiveness of the law is unknown.2 In 2012, following an inspection by the Fe´de´ration Internationale de Football Association (‘‘FIFA’’) in advance of the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Secretary General of FIFA, Je´roˆme Valcke, derided Brazil for its delays in its preparations, but also saved a few words for Brazil’s laws on alcohol sales at its stadiums: ‘‘Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup, so we’re going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that’s something we won’t negotiate…The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law.’’3 While Valcke maintained that the culture of football mandated beer sales to fans in stadiums, the more likely reason for FIFA’s insistence lies with the sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup by Budweiser beer.4 Budweiser, and 1
Dispo˜e sobre o Estatuto de Defesa do Torcedor e da´ outras provideˆncias, Lei No. 10.671, de 15 de maio de 2003, D.O.U. de 16.5.2003, Art. 13-A II (Brazil). While not explicitly mentioned, it has been understood that alcoholic beverages are the target of this law. Caetano et al. 2012, p. 1722. 2 Dispo˜e sobre o Estatuto de Defesa do Torcedor e da´ outras provideˆncias, Lei No. 10.671, de 15 de maio de 2003, D.O.U. de 16.5.200
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