The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport in it’s functions relating to integrity in sports and antidoping measures : an analysis

Abstract

Act No.LIV of 2021 was partially enacted on the 30th of July 2021, titled “Sports Governance and Integrity Act. This Act gives rise to the newly enacted Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports which is responsible in the retaining of the integrity of sports. Whilst this Authority has powers in relation to corruption in sport, under Chapter 593 of the Laws of Malta, this dissertation aims at focusing on the anti-doping powers which the Authority has been granted. The main aim of this dissertation is to explain the pertinent anti-doping regulations and procedures which are available at a national and international level, and to which the Authority must abide to, through national anti-doping regulations under Legal Notice 104 of 2021 as transposed from the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). In addition to viewing legal frameworks, local and international case law was also referred to as to analyse how the regulations are applied. The need for such an Authority to be enacted to protect the integrity in sports is also a main element to this dissertation. Since the notion of a dedicated integrity Authority is a new notion to Maltese legislation, primary research was collected through interview with personnel who are experienced in the sports integrity field and similarly, personnel who had a contribution in the drafting of the legislation. This dissertation targets to display the importance of integrity in relation to sports, through the minimizing of corruption in sport such as anti-doping, while similarly stressing the need and the role that effective education plays in the fight against doping.