Football Regulatory Services
We have specific expertise in the world of professional football and advise clients such as federations, governing bodies, leagues, clubs, licensed agents and individual footballers both at a domestic level and worldwide. We offer a complete legal service which includes the following specialised areas:Football Transfers & Registrations
We advise on numerous international and domestic transfers for both clubs and players. It is vital that the content of 'club to club' transfer documentation is carefully prepared to ensure due compliance with both domestic regulations and the FIFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players and adequate protection for clubs on Training Compensation and Solidarity payments. We also advise on and negotiate the terms and conditions of professional playing contracts and agency agreements and we advise clubs, players and agents with regard to the exploitation of professional football players' image rights, at all times ensuring compliance with the relevant governing body rules and regulations.
Work Permit & Immigration Issues
We have experience and in-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework relating to the employment of non-UK football players and have procured work permits for professional football players at Home Office Review Hearings where the players do not automatically meet the set criteria (we also advise on visa issues for players' dependants). We have experience in visa issues for both UK and non-UK football players in respect of travel to and participation in matches outside the UK including pre-season tours to the US and the Far East.
We also deal with cases relating to the rules regarding the movement of minors under the FIFA Regulations.
Disciplinary & Doping
We advise football clubs, players and managers with regard to external and internal disciplinary matters. This includes providing representation to answer charges from regulatory bodies such as The Football Association and UEFA for both on and off the field offences.
In addition, the firm has specific expertise in representing players charged with doping offences.
Dispute Resolution
We have extensive experience representing UK and international professional football clubs, players and agents in bringing and defending claims within governing body dispute resolution processes including The Football Association, the FA Premier League, UEFA and FIFA. In particular, we have specialist knowledge of the workings of the FIFA Players' Status Committee and Dispute Resolution Chamber in matters such as disputed player transfers, recovery of outstanding transfer receivables, playing contract disputes, Solidarity mechanism disputes and claims for Training Compensation.
We have also represented a number of clubs and players in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, including commencing and defending appeal proceedings from FIFA decisions.
Reputation Management & Defamation
We specialise in advising on all aspects of Reputation Management, including in respect of defamation, crisis management and high profile criminal matters.
Tours
We have specialist knowledge and experience of advising on and negotiating the terms of preseason tour arrangements in territories such as USA, South Africa, China and Japan. Our involvement ensures not only compliance with the relevant football laws such as the rules relating to the use of licensed FIFA Match Agents, but also the protection of clubs' rights in areas such as brand exploitation, broadcasting, payment protection and dealing with cancellation or curtailment.
Constitutional & Regulatory
We advise federations, governing bodies, leagues and the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) in relation to formation and regulatory matters, such as drafting bespoke constitutions and rules and regulations for the<
For more information contact: Matthew Bennett
(Initial contacts will work with you and/or introduce you to the most appropriate lawyer for your enquiry)
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