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Brabners sports lawyers help LFC
2/03/2007

Sports lawyers at Brabners Chaffe Street have helped Liverpool Football Club complete a deal which finally sees Javier Mascherano`s long awaited transfer being ratified by FIFA, the FA Premier League and The FA and the Player declared eligible to play for Liverpool in the Premiership.

The Argentine international midfielder has signed a permanent contract with the Club.

There were a number of hurdles to overcome before the player`s registration was finalised.

First, FIFA Regulations allow a player to sign for three different clubs in a 12 month period from 1 July until 30 June of the following year but he may only actually play for two clubs in that period. Mascherano had played for Corinthians in Brazil before joining West Ham United on 31st August 2006, and so, whilst he could join Liverpool he was not eligible to play for the club until 1st July 2007. Brabners Chaffe Street successfully took a case to the FIFA Player`s Status Committee for an exemption to this rule in what has been considered a landmark ruling.

Secondly, there were considerable further complications given that the financial benefit of his transfer rights was held by investment companies and not by his former club West Ham United, as normal. As a consequence, the FA Premier League wanted to ensure due compliance with all of its Rules.

A four partner team advised Liverpool on this transfer comprising Senior Partner Maurice Watkins, Matthew Bennett, Edward Canty and Sam Mabon.

Matthew Bennett commented, `This was a very complicated transaction. We have experience of transfers throughout the world and we drew upon those experiences to forge a resolution to the various issues this deal raised for our client. We are delighted to have helped secure this signing.î

Graham Shear and David Salisbury of Teacher Stern Selby advised the investment companies.


For further information contact Maurice Waktins at Brabners Chaffe Street on

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