Chapter III: Other provisions applicable to sportspeople

Referees and judges carry out their refereeing duties in complete independence and impartiality, in compliance with the rules laid down by the sports federation referred to in article L. 131-14, which is responsible for the discipline and with which they are licensed. This federation ensures the control of the exercise of this mission according to the rules and procedures defined beforehand in accordance with its statutes.

Arbitrators and judges are considered to be entrusted with a public service mission within the meaning of articles 221-4, 222-3, 222-8, 222-10, 222-12, 222-13 and 433-3 of the French Penal Code, and any offences committed against them in the course of or in connection with the performance of their duties are punishable by the aggravated penalties set out in these articles.

Except in the case provided for in the second paragraph of article L. 222-2-2 of the present code, referees and judges may not, in the performance of their duties, be considered to be bound to the federation by a relationship of subordination characteristic of a contract of employment within the meaning of articles L. 1221-1 and L. 1221-3 of the Labour Code.