Legal Advice for Sports Club Liability

Questioner

In August 2011, I was the coach of a football club's B2 team. The coach of the B1 team approached me and asked if I knew a sportswear manufacturer because he had found three sponsors willing to sponsor three teams. I searched online, found a supplier, requested a brochure, and consulted with the sponsors, who agreed. The supplier then wanted three signed quotes (from all the sponsors) to confirm his commitment. (This was arranged.) Two of them paid, and the third defaulted. Now the clothing is being used by the football club. I didn't sign anything but acted as a contact person, but because this was done outside the board, the clothing supplier claims this was a one-man operation and that I am liable for the amount to be paid. What do you think of this? He himself indicated that initiating legal proceedings against the sponsor for this amount of 912.47 is pointless.

Questioner

Dear questioner, What nonsense! Just forward that invoice to the sponsors who defaulted: you acted under special authority, acting as an intermediary for the club. If the board believes they didn't authorize you for this act, they can still confirm the purchase later, as is Article 3:69 of the Dutch Civil Code.