
Caster Semenya's right to a fair hearing was violated, ECHR rules
Semenya was legally identified as female at birth but has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than women without the condition.
She was unsuccessful in challenging World Athletics' rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the Swiss federal court, but in July 2023 a lower chamber of the ECHR found her rights had been violated by the Swiss government because it had failed to provide sufficient safeguards for her complaint to be examined effectively.
Grand Chamber judgment Semenya v. Switzerland – Complaint by international athlete concerning set of World Athletics regulationshttps://t.co/JcWLWspX33#ECHR #CEDH #ECHRpress pic.twitter.com/6hFqJzTpgv
— ECHR CEDH (@ECHR_CEDH) July 10, 2025
The Swiss government referred the case to the ECHR's Grand Chamber in November 2023 and on Thursday morning, it was announced its judges had found by a 15 to two majority that Semenya's rights under Article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights – the right to a fair hearing – had been violated.
A press release issued by the court said the judges had found the Swiss courts had 'fallen short' in providing what they felt should have been a 'rigorous judicial review that was commensurate with the seriousness of the personal rights at issue'.
The ECHR ruling, which cannot be appealed, should mean the case returns to the Swiss federal court.
The Grand Chamber ruled by a majority of 13 to four that complaints under Article 8 (right to respect for private life), Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) and Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) were inadmissible. It found Semenya did not fall within Switzerland's jurisdiction in respect of those complaints.
Seema Patel, an associate professor specialising in sports law at the Nottingham Law School, had said prior to the Semenya decision being handed down that it would be a 'pivotal moment for how sport engages with human rights in its rule making'.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Alisha Lehmann loses title of ‘world's most beautiful footballer' as stunning pics of Sweden's Alice Sondergaard emerge
ALISHA LEHMANN has lost the title of being the "world's most beautiful footballer". The Swiss ace had a huge following of 17million followers on Instagram. 12 Alisha Lehmann has been unseated as the world's most beautiful footballer Credit: Reuters 12 Fans have fallen head over heels for Alice Sondergaard Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She has recently joined Geona Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen 12 She already has over 50,000 followers Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard Lehmann, 26, was often hailed by fans for her stunning looks while on the pitch. However, a new star has taken her mantle as fans have fallen for Swedish striker Alice Sondergaard. The star is already making waves in the footballing world, having signed for Italian outfit Genoa. Sondergaard, 22, has already represented Sweden as she received her first call-up when she was just 15. However, she did not make the cut for Peter Gerhardsson's final squad for the Euros this summer. She will now be hoping to help Geona remain in Serie A Women's after the team earned promotion to Italy's top-flight for the first time in their history. She has signed a contract with the Liguria club that will run until 2027. Genoa announced her signing on Instagram with a selection of pictures of Sondergaard wearing the club shirt. And fans were left besotted by her dazzling beauty as they flooded the comment section. One posted: "It's official, the most beautiful footballer alive." Alisha Lehmann poses with an ALIEN in bizarre NASA-themed adidas shoot alongside Juventus star boyfriend Douglas Luiz A second wrote: "Always been a Genoa fan." A third commented: "Beautiful and talented." A fourth said: "All of a sudden I am a Genoa fan." Another added: "She is beautiful damn." Sondergaard already boasts 58.8k followers on Instagram, where she regularly posts action snaps and updates from outside of football. 12 Sondergaard stunned in this black dress Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She has encouraged people to start supporting Genoa Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She will face Lehmann this season on the pitch Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She previously played for Bologna, Hellas Verona and Sampdoria Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard When not on the pitch, she can be found wearing stunning outfits and enjoying the weather. She has also played for both Sampdoria and Hellas Verona during her time in Italy. Her first club was BK Hacken FF in her homeland of Sweden. Sondergaard and Geona will start their journey in Serie A against AC Milan. She will not have to wait long to face Lehmann on the pitch as Genoa will take on Juventus on November 11 in their sixth game of the season. 12 Sondergaard has signed a contract with Bologna until 2027 Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen 12 She will want to help the club stay in Serie A Women's Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen 12 She plays as a forward Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen


Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How England's cute cubs who dreamed of greatness grew up to be proud Lionesses on brink of place in footie immortality
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THEY'RE the cute cubs who grew up to be the Lioness pride of England. The girls who once dreamed of greatness now stand on the brink of retaining their Euro crown – and a place in sporting immortality. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 17 Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman and her team face Spain in tomorrow's Euros final Credit: Getty With all of England backing them, coach Sarina Wiegman and her team face Spain in tomorrow's final in the Swiss city of Basel. The team's never-say-die attitude in Switzerland means it is three finals in a row after their Euros victory in 2022 and their heartbreaking 1-0 World Cup defeat to Spain two years ago. This year they have flirted with disaster several times, going two down to Sweden in the quarter-finals before pulling it back, then winning a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. And against Italy in the semi-final they were seconds from elimination when forward Michelle Agyemang struck deep into stoppage time. Her 96th-minute equaliser took it to extra time before Euros 2022 hero Chloe Kelly grabbed a winner from the penalty spot. Here, as the big match looms, we present our heroines when they were youngsters. Midfielder 17 Georgia was playing alongside her three older brothers for Furness Rovers FC from the age of three Credit: NNP Lionesses celebrate after bonkers Euro 2025 penalty shootout win over Sweden DYNAMO Georgia was on the pitch when she was barely out of nappies. Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, she was playing alongside her three older brothers for Furness Rovers FC from the age of three. The 26-year-old confessed: 'I didn't know what I was doing. I was just kicking the ball, but I loved it. 'When I'd turn up at games, the opposition would be like, 'Ooh, there's a girl playing', but I thrived on it.' 17 Georgia was a key figure in the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 triumph, scoring the winner against Spain in the quarter-final Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Georgia sharpened her skills in Blackburn Rovers' youth system, scoring 31 goals in just 14 games for their Under-17s side. She broke into the senior team in 2015, before making the move to Manchester City at 16. The tattoo fan joined German giants Bayern Munich in July 2022, helping them win three Frauen-Bundesliga titles and a German Cup by the end of the 2024-25 season. Georgia was a key figure in the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 triumph, scoring the winner against Spain in the quarter-final. Goalkeeper 17 Hannah was told by doctors she'd never play football due to a serious eye condition Credit: _hannahhampton / Instagram BRUMMIE Hannah, 24, is a Euros penalty shootout hero – but doctors once said she'd never play football due to a serious eye condition. Despite surgeries and ongoing depth perception issues, she is at the top of her game. 17 Hannah won back-to-back WSL titles with Chelsea in 2024 and 2025 Credit: PA She wowed at Birmingham City and Aston Villa, then moved to Chelsea in 2023, winning back-to-back WSL titles in 2024 and 2025. Defender, Captain 17 Leah joined Arsenal's Centre of Excellence at just nine years old Credit: leahwilliamsonn / Instagram ENGLAND captain Leah was a born Gunner and joined Arsenal's Centre of Excellence at just nine years old. Now 28, she joined the club's senior team in 2014 and made her senior England debut in 2018. But after the 2012 London Olympics she almost quit to pursue a career in athletics, inspired by Olympic gold long jumper Greg Rutherford – who, like her, is from Milton Keynes, Bucks. 17 Leah almost quit football to pursue a career in athletics Credit: Getty Winger 17 Lauren joined Norwich City's Centre of Excellence aged eight Credit: lauren_hemp / Instagram WINGER Lauren joined Norwich City's Centre of Excellence aged eight, but the girls' programme closed down. Undeterred, she went back to the boys' team at North Walsham Youth FC, and says it 'shaped me as the player I am'. Lauren, 24, was snapped up by Manchester City in 2018 and is one of the most feared attackers in the Women's Super League. 17 Lauren is one of the most feared attackers in the Women's Super League Credit: Getty Defender 17 As a kid Lucy was often the only girl on boys' teams such as Alnwick Town Credit: lucybronze / Instagram FORMIDABLE defender Lucy Bronze, 33, began her football journey in Northumberland, enjoying kickabouts with her older brother. She was often the only girl on boys' teams such as Alnwick Town, but was banned from competing alongside the lads aged 12 under FA rules. She has played for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea. 17 Lucy has played for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Striker 17 Alessia's dad Mario was a record goalscorer for Metropolitan Police FC ALESSIA, 26, takes after dad Mario – a record goalscorer for Metropolitan Police FC. From Charlton Athletic to Chelsea's development squad and a brief spell at Brighton, she went on to play college soccer in the US before signing for Manchester United in 2020. Joining Arsenal three years later, Alessia helped them win the Women's Super League. 17 Alessia helped Arsenal win the Women's Super League Credit: Getty Striker 17 Beth was kicking a ball with the boys from the age of six Credit: Facebook GROWING up in Hinderwell, a tiny village near Whitby, Beth was kicking a ball with the boys from the age of six. Later her mum took a second job to pay for the petrol to take her on a twice-weekly, 45- minute drive to Middlesbrough's centre of excellence. At just 16, Beth – now 30 – made her senior debut for Sunderland, where she bagged 77 goals in 78 games. In 2017 she joined Arsenal, and despite an injury-hit start, she blossomed after taking a wide position. 17 Beth bagged 77 goals in 78 games for Sunderland Credit: Getty MICHELLE AGYEMANG Striker 17 Michelle was playing for Brandon Groves AFC, at just five years old Credit: Getty TEENAGE striker Michelle has become the Lionesses' secret weapon at Euro 2025. The 19-year-old supersub – whose Ghanaian surname means 'saviour of the nation' – has made a stunning impact in the tournament, twice grabbing vital goals after coming off the bench. Born in South Ockendon, Essex, the Arsenal fan was giving the boys a run for their money at her local club, Brandon Groves AFC, at just five years old. Vice-chairman and girls' coach Roy Enright, 45, said: 'It is fantastic to see her progress. 'It is brilliant for the club here and for girls' football generally.' Michelle joined Arsenal's academy at six and has been a Gunner ever since, making her senior debut at just 16 in 2022. She will have to juggle her status as England's latest footie hero with her uni career at King's College London, where she is studying for a business management degree. 17 Michelle has become the Lionesses' secret weapon at Euro 2025 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.


Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Lionesses' fans flock to Basel to cheer on team in Euros final – as pubs prepare for bumper day
England are the underdogs against Spain FAN SWISS ARMY Lionesses' fans flock to Basel to cheer on team in Euros final – as pubs prepare for bumper day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENGLAND fans have flocked to Basel to roar on the Lionesses against Spain tomorrow — while millions at home will also be willing our girls to lift the Euro trophy for the second time in a row. Sarina Wiegman's warriors have the perfect opportunity to avenge their crushing World Cup final defeat by Spain two years ago, and the nation is gearing up for the big match — guaranteeing a bumper day for pubs and supermarkets across the country. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 England fans have flocked to Basel to roar on the Lionesses against Spain tomorrow (pictured: Zoe and Jen Burdett) Credit: Louis Wood 3 England's Leah Williamson, who will captain them on Sunday's final Credit: Getty Asda expects to sell at least six million pints of beer, 1.3 million bags of crisps and 300,000 pizzas, while a million extra pints will be sold in pubs, giving a huge boost to the economy. The bookies are in for a bonanza too, as in betting terms the match is set to be the biggest in the history of the women's game. England are the underdogs, with their odds currently at 2/1, but 80 per cent of punters are betting on them winning. Coral's John Hill said: 'We are seeing one-way traffic for the Lionesses in our betting, despite them being underdogs. "They have overcome the odds a few times in Switzerland, so the bookmakers are staring down the barrel at a bumper payout should they win.' England fans arriving at Basel Airport yesterday were convinced their heroines can triumph. Women's football consultant Andrea Ekblad, from St Albans, Herts, said: 'I was at the final at Wembley when they won the Euros in 2022. 'I'm superstitious, so I'm wearing the shirt I wore in 2022 — hopefully that helps them win.' Ava Lambert, 16, of Chelmsford, Essex, said: 'I've been watching all the games at home so I'm really pleased to be here for the final. 'Good luck England, you can do it.' England Lionesses press conference ahead of Euro 2025 final vs Spain 3 Sisters Ava and Chloe Lambert have arrived in Basel to cheer on the Lionesses Credit: Louis Wood Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.