France: Foundation for Sport Without Violence Begins Operations
By Dr Estelle Ivanova, Attorney at Law, Paris, France
On 10 September 2026, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français – CNOSF) announced the operational launch of the Fondation pour un Sport Sans Violences (Foundation for Sport Without Violence), following the inaugural meeting of its Executive Committee on 9 September 2026.
Established by the CNOSF and operating under the auspices of the Fondation du Sport Français, a foundation recognised as being of public utility, the Fondation pour un Sport Sans Violences (Foundation for Sport Without Violence) (the Foundation) aims to support the sporting movement in handling disciplinary matters relating to violence, assisting victims and supporting their recovery, as well as promoting education and prevention.
Whilst its initial focus is on combating sexual and gender-based violence, the Foundation’s longer-term objective is to address all forms of violence in sport.
The initiative responds to a practical challenge within French sport.
Although sports federations play a central role in reporting incidents to Signal-Sports, the national reporting and monitoring mechanism operated by the French Ministry responsible for Sport, some sports federations continue to face difficulties arising from limited financial resources, insufficient specialist expertise and organisational constraints. The Foundation, therefore, seeks to provide additional support, particularly to sports federations with fewer resources, whilst promoting greater consistency in the handling of disciplinary matters.
32 Independent volunteer investigators to assist sports federations
A central feature of the initiative is the establishment of a pool of 32 independent volunteer investigators, comprising judges from the judicial and administrative courts, lawyers and other legal professionals. Selected by a dedicated Investigators' Committee and approved by the Foundation's Executive Committee on the basis of their qualifications and experience, these professionals will be made available to sports federations requiring assistance with disciplinary investigations concerning sexual and gender-based violence.
The Investigators' Committee is chaired by Jean-Marc Sauvé, Honorary Vice-President of the French Council of State (Conseil d'État) and former chairman of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church (CIASE). It also includes Alain Lacabarats and Fabienne Fajgenbaum.
According to the CNOSF announcement, the investigators' initial training session was scheduled for 21 September 2026, whilst the mechanism is expected to become operational in November 2026.
Distinguishing investigative functions from disciplinary authority
From a legal perspective, an important distinction must be drawn between the investigation of alleged misconduct and the exercise of disciplinary authority. The initiative does not, in itself, establish a new public regulatory authority or confer disciplinary sanctioning powers upon the Foundation.
This distinction is particularly relevant in the context of French sports law, where disciplinary proceedings are governed by the applicable legal and regulatory framework and by the disciplinary rules of the sports federations concerned.
The new mechanism, therefore, is intended to reinforce the investigative capacity of sports federations rather than replace their existing disciplinary structures.
A broader approach beyond disciplinary investigations
Beyond disciplinary investigations, the Foundation's activities encompass three further priorities: improving support for victims; promoting education and prevention; and encouraging greater consistency in disciplinary practices across sports federations.
Firstly, the Foundation aims to improve support for victims by promoting comprehensive and continuous assistance throughout France. Particular attention will be given to victims with disabilities, the specific challenges encountered in France's overseas territories and the role of sport in victims' recovery. The Foundation also intends to support initiatives developed by victim-support organisations.
Secondly, it will identify and disseminate effective practices in education, prevention and training, drawing upon the experience of sports federations and regional, departmental and territorial Olympic and sports committees.
Finally, the Foundation seeks to encourage the development of a common approach to disciplinary responses, in cooperation with public authorities and other stakeholders. By facilitating the exchange of expertise and practices between sports federations, it may contribute to greater consistency in disciplinary investigations, whilst taking account of the different organisational capacities of individual sports bodies.
Conclusions
The introduction of independent investigators represents a further step in the French sporting movement's efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence.
By providing sports federations with access to independent legal expertise, the initiative seeks to strengthen disciplinary investigations whilst preserving the responsibilities of the competent disciplinary bodies.
The effectiveness of this initiative will depend upon its practical implementation, particularly the safeguards ensuring impartiality, confidentiality and the prevention of conflicts of interest.
As the investigators will serve on a voluntary basis, potentially whilst maintaining other professional commitments, questions may arise regarding their availability and capacity to conduct investigations within appropriate timeframes.
Clear procedures for identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest, together with adequate organisational support, therefore, will be important in ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of this initiative, whilst safeguarding the rights of all parties involved.
Beyond these considerations, this initiative reflects a broader commitment to strengthening safeguarding, accountability and good governance across French sport and is, therefore, to be welcomed.
Dr Estelle Ivanova may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
