IFBB Professional Rules
1.7 Non-sanctioned Competitions or Events:
Any Member, whether Athlete, Judge or Official, who participates in a competition or event not approved or sanctioned by the Pro League may be fined, suspended or expelled. Participation includes, but is not limited to, competing, guest posing, giving a seminar, judging, officiating, promoting, endorsing or otherwise taking part in any capacity whatsoever in a non-approved or non-sanctioned competition or event.
1.8 Membership in Other Organizations:
Once accepted as a Member of the Pro League, no Athlete, Judge or Official will hold membership in any other professional bodybuilding, fitness or figure organization; nor will that Member participate in, promote or endorse in any capacity whatsoever their activities, failing which the Member may be fined, suspended or expelled.
9.1 General:
Athletes, Judges, and Officials join the Pro League of their own free will doing, agree to abide by the Pro Rules. Should a Member contravene Rules, that Member is considered automatically suspended from the Pro thus prohibiting participation in any Pro League activity worldwide.
9.2 Failure to Abide:
Failure to abide by the Pro Rules will normally call for an investigation by an “ad hoc” Pro Disciplinary Committee. If a Member is found guilty of contravening the Pro Rules, including the Code of Ethics, or of conduct prejudicial to the Pro
League, that Member may be fined, suspended, or expelled.
9.6 Public Comments:
Public comments (including, but not limited to, those made via print publications, websites, public gatherings or other public forums) made by a Member of the Pro League against another Member of the Pro League, the Pro League itself, or the
sport in general, which are deemed personal, abusive, slanderous, libelous or prejudicial to the good image of the sport, are contrary to the Code of Ethics and will result in disciplinary measures being taken by the Pro League against the person responsible for the comments.
9.7 Protests:
The Pro League accepts that any Member has the right to protest a judging, disciplinary or other decision taken against that Member. However, the Pro League believes that all protests, regardless of the reason for the protest, must be carried out in a professional, courteous and respectful manner. Protests will be made in writing and will be forwarded to the Pro Committee. This Committee will investigate the protest, or cause the protest to be investigated, and will issue its findings within thirty days of the date of the Letter of Protest.
9.8 Complaints:
Any Member who believes that he or she has been wronged has the right to file a complaint in writing to the Pro Committee. The Pro Committee will investigate and will make a determination on the complaint within thirty days of the date of
the Letter of Complaint.
9.9 Prejudicial Conduct:
Prejudicial conduct is defined as any conduct that is demonstrably prejudicial to the Pro League, whether through gross malfeasance or egregious moral behavior. Any Member may be disciplined for prejudicial conduct.
9.10 Code of Ethics:
Disciplinary action may be taken against any Member who contravenes the Code of Ethics, which forms an integral part of the Pro Rules.
9.11 Provisional Suspensions:
Depending on the circumstances (e.g. severity of the offence), the Pro League may provisionally suspend an Athlete pending a hearing. In such cases, the hearing will be expedited.
