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Governing Bodies: Sports

Asked by Mr Clive BettsLabourHome OfficeTabled Answered 4 July 2025UIN 62934

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure compliance with Home Office Code of Practice for Sports Governing Bodies.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

Sports governing bodies approved by the Home Office are required to abide by the ‘Code of Practice for Sports Governing Bodies’ as part of their role under the International Sportsperson visa route.

The Home Office reserves the right to check the activities of an approved sports governing body’s role at any time, and issues regarding non-compliance will be addressed directly with the relevant body in the first instance. Where an approved body continues to fail to comply with its duties as set out in the ‘Code’, the Home Office will consider changing the approved governing body for that sport at its own discretion, in consultation with DCMS or the relevant home sports councils.

It would not be appropriate for the Home Office to comment upon specific reports submitted to the department regarding the role of sports governing bodies or provide any details of those reports.

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