Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mehryar Dashab ¹
• Kosar Talebi Esfandarani ²

¹ Assistant Professor,, Department of Public International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

² Ph.D. Student, Public International Law , Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

The world of sports transcends national borders and specific groups, embodying an extra-territorial and multi-age character that sets it apart from other human activities. Sports have become a powerful tool within the international human rights system, providing a basis for the realization and promotion of human rights driven by human innate desire for physical activity. Children, in particular, are central figures in this arena as young athletes. Explaining the dimensions of child-athlete rights violations, the present study aimed to examine how the rights of children in professional sports can be protected. Although children’s rights are broadly supported by governments and society—given the universal duty to uphold them and guarantee compliance—the field of sports often resists direct government intervention. It is thus essential to assess the responsibility of the legal systems that govern the world of sports. A comprehensive analysis is needed to evaluate the current situation and explore the applicability of the minimum age rule in sports, all within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Literature Review

It seems there is little research on the topic of the current study. In general, legal literature provides limited discussion on children’s rights in the context of professional sports. The issue has largely been overlooked, with most references focusing solely on the broader concept of the right to play. For instance, the report by Mega-Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights deals with the issue under the heading: “Children’s Rights in the Sports Context” (Sporting Chance White Paper 4.1, Version 1, January 2017).

Materials and Methods

The current study relied on a descriptive–analytical method, using
library research to collect the data from various sources.

Results and Discussion

Since it is essential to distinguish between behaviors that are natural and inherent to sports and those that cause harm to athletes, there is a growing need to clearly define and redefine what constitutes unacceptable behaviors in sports—particularly within the framework of the UNCRC. Recognizing and addressing this legal gap, especially given the specialized nature of the field, is a crucial first step in preventing violations and deal with them effectively. Although violations of children’s rights are widespread in the field of sports, their participation cannot—and should not—be denied or explicitly prohibited. Therefore, leveraging the mechanisms established by the UNCRC to prevent and limit rights violations in other areas of children’s lives can also be instrumental in reducing such violations within the context of sports. The norms and rules of the UNCRC must be observed and applied in the realm of organized and professional sports. Adopting this child-centered approach in competitive sports and intensive training will prompt a reassessment of the appropriate age for entering professional sports and for specializing in training. The main sport for each child should be determined according to their stages of growth and maturity. According to Article 5 of the UNCRC, the implementation of a child’s rights must be compatible with the child’s developing capacities. Therefore, in the field of sports, a child’s participation at various levels should be appropriate to their age. To protect the physical and mental well-being of child-athletes, sports organizations and institutions must exercise legislation and supervision to ensure that the highest possible safeguards are in place. While many international sports federations support the establishment of the minimum age rule, unfortunately, these rules are often applied inconsistently and in a fragmented manner. Specifically, they are not enforced across all sports disciplines and, where they do exist, they typically apply only to participation in competitions. This is problematic because the training and preparation that occur before competition can also expose child-athletes to damage and rights violations.

Conclusion

Currently, it seems difficult—if not impossible—to implement this standard uniformly across all sports and levels. However, given the undeniable benefits of applying the minimum age rule to protect children’s rights in sports, a two-step approach appears to be the most practical solution under current circumstances. In the first step, governing bodies in the sports sector should make the minimum age rule mandatory, requiring all sports organizations and institutions to comply with it in the context of professional children’s sports. In the second step, considering the unique characteristics of each sport, these organizations should determine the appropriate minimum age for entering and competing in each sport.

Keywords

• Maltreatment in Sports
• The Minimum Age Rule
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Child-athletes
• Violation of Children’s Rights

Main Subjects

• International Law