Increasing numbers of sports clubs and bodies are using the expertise of third party specialists, be it for websites, apps, social networks or gaming platforms to interact with their fans domestically and internationally.  However, there appears to be a disconnect in terms of understanding the legal requirements and obligations the clubs are under when outsourcing (by way of a licence) or selling a database to a third party.  While data protection is not the most exciting topic to many it is particularly important with the Information Commissioner Officer (“ICO”) having the power to levy significant fines of up to £500,000 for breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998 (“Act”). 

The recently adopted Irish Anti-Doping Rules, which implement the World Anti-Doping Agency’s new World Anti-Doping Code, may be in breach of the Irish Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003.