The COVID-19 pandemic has created a plethora of legal and administrative hurdles for sport worldwide, and rugby union is no exception. Existing fault-lines have come sharply into focus, as tensions have been exacerbated between the game’s stakeholders and discontent has grown. The crises, both public health and economic, have caused disruption on a never-seen-before scale, forcing difficult decisions to be made with haste and leaving many wondering about rugby’s long-term future.
This article provides an overview of how the sport of rugby union has responded to the various legal challenges posed by COVID-19. The author’s specific knowledge of English rugby union will mean an inevitable focus on matters within that jurisdiction, but the article will seek to take a global perspective.
The following issues will be addressed in turn:
- The suspension of competition
- Employment law issues
- Player transfers
- Disciplinary sanctions
- Return to club competition
- Return to international competition
The full article is available on the LawInSport website, here.