VolleyCountry is pleased to announce cooperation with Mr. Xavier Mansat in form of providing insider information regarding legal and regulatory aspects in volleyball. Mr. Mansat has been active with the CEV during the past decade and recently joined the Sports law firm CRESTA.

Could you please tell me what was your job at CEV?
I started in July 2010 to manage the players’ transfers across 55 countries. For a bit more than two years, I monitored, verified and issued the famous international transfer certificates (ITCs), provided support to players, clubs and national federations and assumed the back office. I was also handling some side-tasks such as the administration of doping controls in collaboration with the FIVB.

It was a brand new position with everything to set-up. Quite a challenge when you just finish your studies. Luckily, some amazing colleagues at the CEV but also at the FIVB – Katie Ribeiro dos Santos and Philippe Tuccelli – supported me. In February 2014, I came back to the CEV after obtaining my master’s degree in Sport law (Aix-Marseille, France). Until October 2018, I was in charge for all legal-related items for the CEV. A lot of different activities. From drafting the decisions for disputes between players and clubs to setting-up internal processes, raising awareness about potential legal issues or contributing to the work of various CEV bodies.

My two biggest achievements remain the full renewal of the CEV regulatory framework and the establishment of the CEV Legal Chamber, an alternative dispute resolution and disciplinary body.

You have acquired many experiences in CEV. What kind of information would you like to share with volleyball players, coaches, agents and clubs on VolleyCountry
Any kind of information that help these people understand better and know more about their environment. It can only benefit volleyball if they become more aware about their rights and obligations but also opportunities in our sport.

To be concrete and as examples, players should better know what to check or mention in the contract they sign with a club. Clubs should know how to ‘appeal’ the decision of an international volleyball body. Agents should be better explained the latest disputes decisions and their consequences. Etc. There is so much to write about. I want to go further than just sharing information. With VolleyCountry’s forum, a ‘direct line’ is opened. I can answer questions or receive proposals of topics to develop. We are then certain that the information is really useful to the volleyball community.

That’s great that you could answer to questions in our forum. What would be the next steps in case someone wants to dive more into his/her legal problem?
The right question is “what are the previous steps to avoid the legal problem?” Part of the answer to it is “Seek for proper advice”. Facing potential troubles, people tend to react in the wrong way due to (normal) emotions – such as fear or anger – and a (normal) lack of practice. Anybody experienced with this kind of situation will save you from making mistakes, which could latter jeopardise your chance of success.

Once you have the right support, you will receive all the information and a proper analysis. So, when you take a decision, you do it with all cards in your hand, fully aware about the consequences. Better than to be kept in the dark, right? On top of that, from a financial point of view, it will probably cost you less.

Do you think there are enough sources where we could find information about different legal problems in volleyball?
Definitely not at the international level. You can read on VolleyCountry or other websites stories and news but it lacks a legal perspective. Thus, the aim of the present cooperation. This being said, the FIVB has a webpage listing all of its regulations and judicial bodies decisions. For the initiated, it is worth consulting as it contains a lot of valuable information. For the others, VolleyCountry will do!

Which are the typical volleyball problems that you could help with?
Financial disputes between players, agents and clubs is an area where we – at the firm – have a significant knowledge and experience. We are also qualified to bring regulations and proceedings (disciplinary, elective, bidding, etc.) in line with Sport law, volleyball regulatory framework and good governance principles. The same applies to the contract templates for all kind of people and situations. Then, issues regarding transfers or national team participation as well as FIVB or CEV requests are day-to-day business.

As we intervene in others sports such as football, basketball, tennis or Moto GP, we are able to bring innovative solutions to these issues and bring best practices from outside volleyball.

You can find advices and tips from Mr. Mansat in our forum VolleyLegal on inside.volleycountry.com. You can reach him via social media (LinkedIn or Facebook) or just send him an email.

Cresta firm is an international boutique sports law firm based in Brussels, Belgium, and primarily active in football, basketball and volleyball as well as some individual sports. Its volleyball practice focuses on representing players, coaches and agents in international disputes before the CEV, the FIVB Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Besides, CRESTA supports volleyball clubs and governing bodies on all of their legal, regulatory, commercial and administrative matters.