Freedom of movement for professional sportspersons: contemporary issues in the fields of labour law, social security law and nationality law

MoveS seminar Netherlands
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On 8 June 2026, the MoveS network will organise a seminar in Maastricht dedicated to the free movement of professional sportspersons within the European Union. This topic lies at the intersection of labour law, social security law and nationality law, and is characterised by a growing number of complex legal and societal challenges in practice. 

During the seminar, leading academics, policymakers and practitioners will bring together their insights to discuss recent developments and analyse current challenges. Through presentations and interactive discussions, attention will be given to topics such as the coordination of social security systems, labour mobility in sport, and the implications of non-compliant regulatory frameworks across different sporting disciplines.

The seminar thus provides a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge and dialogue between academia and practice, with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the legal position of professional sportspersons within the European Union and to the further development of appropriate regulation.

This seminar is organised by MoveS in collaboration with the Dutch national expert professor Anne Pieter van der Mei.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Participation in the seminar is free of charge. Please note that all costs connected to the participation to the seminar (travel, accommodation) are at the participants' expense. Admission is subject to availability of seating
 

Program

9:00 - 9:30Registration
9:30 - 9:45

Welcome and presentation of the MoveS project
Prof. A.P. van der Mei, Maastricht University

9:45 - 10:30

Latest developments in the field of social security coordination 
Els Vertongen, Unit E2, DG EMPL, European Commission

Q&A

10:30 - 11:00Coffee break
11:00 - 11:30Freedom of movement and labour mobility in sport
Prof. Stefaan van den Bogaert, Leiden University
11:30 - 12:00Professional sports and coordination of national social security schemes
Prof. Jean-Philippe Lhernould, University of Poitiers
12:00 - 12:30Floor discussion 
12:30 - 13:30Lunch
13:30 - 14:30

Free movement of workers – Implications for sportspersons in a non-compliant legal framework. Case studies in the field of cycling, basketball and volleyball
Koen Meesters and Ann-Sophie Duyck, United Athletes by ACV-CSC

 Floor discussion
14:30 - 15:00Coffee break
15:00 - 16:30

Panel discussion

Freedom of movement for professional sportspersons: contemporary issues in the fields of labour law

Els Vertongen, Unit E2, DG EMPL, European Commission
Frans de Weger, Attorney at law, BMDW Lawyers and Chair FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC)
Prof. Marjan Olfers, Free University, Amsterdam 
Prof. Stefaan van den Bogaert, Leiden University
Frea De Keyzer, Postdoctoral researcher, KU Leuven

16:30 - 16:45Closing

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