Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: 8 of 2014
- Issued Date: 26 Oct 2014
- Effective Date: 31 Mar 2015
- Official Gazette: No. 571
- Sector: Sport
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 57
- Chapters/Parts: 5
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law regulates the security and safety requirements for sports facilities and events in the United Arab Emirates. Its purpose is to maintain security and order at sports venues and events, and to establish rules governing the behavior of sports audiences. The law imposes obligations on sports facility operators, event organizers, security personnel, and spectators, and prescribes penalties for non-compliance. It is an important piece of legislation that aims to ensure the safe and secure conduct of sports activities in the UAE. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 1-3) The law's practical impact is to enhance the safety and security of sports venues and events, protecting both participants and spectators. It establishes a framework of responsibilities and requirements for all stakeholders involved, from facility managers to individual fans. By regulating behavior, security measures, and emergency planning, the law helps to mitigate risks and create a safer environment for the enjoyment of sports in the UAE. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 1-5)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law applies to all sports facilities and events conducted in the UAE, whether national or international in nature. Its primary aims are to maintain security and order at sports venues and events, and to regulate the behavior of sports audiences. Specifically, the law seeks to establish clear rules for protecting sports audiences inside facilities and during events. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- UAE: The United Arab Emirates
- Ministry: The Ministry of Interior
- Minister: The Minister of Interior
- Competent Authority: The Police General Headquarters in the Emirate concerned with securing sports facilities and events
- Competent Entity: Any entity concerned with engineering matters of sports facilities and buildings
- Sports Facilities: Buildings used for managing and hosting sports events, whether government or private
- Sports Events: Any sports activity or event held in a sports facility or designated location
- Organizing Entity: Any natural or legal person organizing a sports event
- Private Security Companies: Companies licensed under Federal Law No. 37 of 2006
- Facility Security Officers: Security employees assigned by the sports facility to provide security services
- Event Security Officers: Security employees assigned by the organizing entity to provide security services
- Police Observer: A police and security person responsible for supervising the security of sports events
- Sports Audience: Persons watching sports events inside the sports facility and surrounding area
(Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes several key obligations: 1. Sports facilities and organizing entities must contract private security companies to provide security and order during events. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 10) 2. Sports facilities and organizing entities must select qualified security personnel and train them on safety and security measures. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 11) 3. Sports facilities must allocate special spaces for VIPs, disabled persons, and the elderly, and provide a system for direct communication with the audience. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 12) 4. Sports facilities and organizing entities must develop administrative and regulatory programs for events, and provide necessary equipment and tools for security. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 13-14) 5. Sports facilities and organizing entities must comply with safety and security requirements set forth in the law's Executive Regulations. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 15)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law requires that sports facilities and organizing entities obtain approval from the Competent Authority to conduct sports events in the UAE. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 4) Additionally, sports facilities and organizing entities must assign security officers for their facilities and events, following approval by the department concerned with private security companies affairs. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 6)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or entities. Its focus is on establishing security requirements and obligations for sports facilities, organizing entities, security personnel, and spectators.
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcement under this law are: 1. The Ministry of Interior, which is responsible for setting up necessary plans for securing sports facilities and events in coordination with organizing entities. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 5) 2. The Competent Authority, which is the Police General Headquarters in the relevant Emirate, responsible for securing sports facilities and events. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 1, 4-5) 3. The Competent Entity, which is responsible for defining the engineering standards and technical requirements for sports facilities and events in coordination with the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 16)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law prescribes the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Breach of Article 17(a-c,g) - Imprisonment of 1-3 months and/or a fine of AED 5,000 to AED 30,000. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 18) 2. Breach of Article 17(d-f,h) - Imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 30,000. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 19) 3. Breach of Articles 4, 6, 10-11, 13-15 - A fine of AED 10,000 to AED 500,000. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 20) 4. Obtaining event approval through fraud - A fine of AED 500,000 to AED 1,000,000, plus costs, and potential 2-year ban from the activity. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 21)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions, apart from the penalties outlined in the previous section.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not provide any explicit exemptions or exceptions. It applies to all sports facilities and events conducted in the UAE, without any stated exclusions.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not outline any specific dispute resolution mechanisms. It focuses on establishing security requirements and penalties for non-compliance, without detailing procedures for resolving disputes that may arise.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. The Council of Ministers must issue the Executive Regulations of this law within 6 months of the law's effective date. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 25) 2. Sports facilities and organizing entities must adjust their legal conditions to comply with the law and its Executive Regulations within 1 year of the law's effective date, with a possible 2-year extension. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 26)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE federal legislation: - Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 on the Jurisdictions of the Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers - Federal Law No. 12 of 1976 on the Police and Security Force - Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 Issuing the Penal Code - Federal Law No. 35 of 1992 Issuing the Penal Procedures Code - Federal Law No. 37 of 2006 on the Private Security Companies - Federal Law No. 2 of 2008 on the Associations and Institutions of Public Interest - Federal Law Decree No. 7 of 2008 on the General Authority for Youths and Sports Welfare - Federal Law Decree No. 3 of 2009 on Weapons, Ammunitions and Explosives (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security was issued on 26 October 2014 and came into effect on 31 March 2015, the day following its publication in the Official Gazette No. 571. (Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security, 2014, Art. 27)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Concerning Sports Facilities and Events Security for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.