Sports, Law, and Values: Highlights From Our Seminar on Ethics, Safeguarding, and Positive Impact in Barcelona

At Sports Law Hub, we have always believed that sports law isn’t just about drafting contracts or interpreting regulations. The true strength of our industry lies in its people, strong corporate governance, and the ability to generate a positive social impact.

With this purpose in mind, we launched the in-person event «Esport i dret per al futur: ètica, valors i impacte positiu» (Sports and Law for the Future: Ethics, Values, and Positive Impact). Designed by our team, INDESCAT immediately joined as co-organizer, alongside collaborations from Barcelona Sports Hub and MGC Mútua. At MGC Mútua’s headquarters, we reached full capacity with over 55 professionals in attendance.

For SLH, this was a deeply meaningful milestone: it was our first event held in Catalan in Barcelona, reaffirming our commitment to the local community while keeping our focus on our international student.

Child protection: from legal obligation to organizational culture

We opened the day by addressing one of the most sensitive and essential challenges in the sports ecosystem. Guided by Francisco Javier Romeo (psychologist and advisor at FC Barcelona), we explored how to build safe environments for children and teenagers.

Javier reminded us that child protection isn’t an optional formality or a simple response to Spain’s child protection law (LOPIVI); it is an absolute ethical duty that requires transforming an organization’s internal culture. Drawing from Barça’s experience, we analyzed the distinction between Child Protection (the realm of social services) and Child Safeguarding—the proactive work sports organizations must carry out through figures like Child Safeguarding Officers and comprehensive protocols that protect the mental health and overall well-being of minors.

Translating ethics into real-world decision-making

In a panel discussion moderated by Pere Vilà (General Manager at INDESCAT), we debated how to integrate ethical principles into daily governance so they don’t remain mere theories on paper:

• Education and grassroots clubs: Patrícia Illa (Sports Councilor for the Igualada City Council and President of the Sports Council of Anoia) stressed that while major clubs get the spotlight, real preventive work must reach school sports and grassroots clubs, ensuring economic and social barriers are eliminated.
• Internal culture and responsibility: Elisabeth de Nadal (Partner Attorney at Cuatrecasas) warned that codes of conduct and compliance protocols lose their purpose if they aren’t backed by ongoing training and a genuine commitment to prevention that protects people beyond legal risk.
• Social transformation and limits: Raül Romeva (PhD in Education and Sports and Professor at Blanquerna-URL) reflected on the need to balance regulation with pedagogy, avoiding attempts to eradicate unacceptable behavior through over-regulation while ensuring sports evolve alongside society.

Normalizing adapted sports: Role models without labels

One of the most inspiring and human moments of the morning was spent with Mahamadou Dambelleh, a young adapted sports swimmer and paralympic world silver medalist in the 50-meter freestyle. In a conversation moderated by journalist Cecília Martínez, Mahamadou opened our eyes to the real barriers athletes with disabilities face: beyond competing while blind, the biggest obstacles remain a lack of resources, facility accessibility, and federative integration.

He shared a thought that perfectly captures the spirit of this event: “Adapted sports need role models of normalization, not overcoming adversity.” Inclusion shouldn’t be viewed as an extraordinary achievement, but as an everyday right integrated into the foundation of sports.

Connecting to transform: The Sports Law Hub DNA

Following the presentations, we entered one of the most valuable moments of the day. Hub members, specialized attorneys, club managers, executives, and key industry leaders had the opportunity to address complex management questions and exchange insights while building real synergies.

Creating spaces where legal theory meets the reality of the sector—and where passionate professionals can connect face-to-face—is the core purpose of Sports Law Hub.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to the speakers for their generosity, to our co-organizers for working alongside us, and to all attendees for making our first event in Barcelona a resounding success. This is just the starting line: we look forward to replicating this seminar (along with new initiatives in English) in various international locations soon.

Does your organization or firm want to lead ethical change in the sports industry?

We are seeking new strategic partners and institutions to co-organize and join our upcoming events. Reach out to us at Sports Law Hub, and let’s build the next meeting point together.