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Posts Tagged ‘sports law’

Lawrence Stephens Sports Team Shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Global Football Industry

Posted on: September 1st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

The Lawrence Stephens’ Sports and Entertainment team has been shortlisted in the Best Legal/Professional Services Team category, and Senior Associate Will Bowyer has been shortlisted in the Football Industry Rising Star category at the inaugural Global Football Industry Awards, presented in partnership with the Daily Telegraph.

These awards recognise excellence off the pitch, whether through marketing, sustainability, sponsorship, grassroots development, diversity and inclusion, or investment in the sport. Nominations for these awards were made by professionals across the football industry, recognising the outstanding work and the dedication, insight, and relationships that Will and the team are known for.

The Global Football Industry Awards will take place on 20 November 2025 in London and will be hosted by global football icons Ian Wright OBE and Jamie Carragher. Founded by football players and industry leaders, the Global Football Industry Awards exist to recognise the often-overlooked heroes driving the game’s success behind the scenes. From grassroots initiatives to corporate partnerships, this event shines a well-deserved spotlight on the international business leaders, brands, and innovators who make football’s global impact possible. Judged by a panel of experts from across the game, the awards acknowledge those whose vision, dedication, and leadership are shaping the future of the sport.

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Mo Pasricha interviewed on talkSPORT

Posted on: July 14th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Head of Sports and Entertainment Mo Pasricha was recently featured on the weekday mid-morning sports programme talkSPORT.  Speaking to well-known radio and television presenter Jim White and co-presenter Simon Jordan, businessman, media personality and former chairman of Crystal Palace Football Club, Mo discussed a range of topics, including:

  • the role of lawyers behind the scenes in the modern game
  • the debate around profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) and whether it can work in football.
  • the intricacies of regulatory enforcement, including Manchester City’s 115+ charges. The Premier League charged City in 2023 with breaking financial fair play rules on 115 occasions, and Mo provided insight into the charges case and the potential outcome.

talkSPORT is the go-to station for sports fans in the UK, especially those passionate about football, rugby, and boxing. The video of the interview is available on talkSPORT’s YouTube video channel here.

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Anti-Doping Case Dismissed: Lawrence Stephens Defends Rugby Star Successfully

Posted on: July 3rd, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Angelique Richardson, Senior Associate in the Sports and Entertainment team at Lawrence Stephens, together with Christopher Saad and Ellie Horan of 2 Bedford Row, successfully acted for professional rugby league player Jake Maizen in proceedings brought by UK Anti-Doping before the National Anti-Doping Panel.

The matter was referred to Lawrence Stephens through the Sport Resolutions Pro Bono service, which provides eligible athletes with access to legal representation in anti-doping and disciplinary matters.

Mr Maizen was cleared of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for the use of cocaine In-Competition, contrary to Article 2.2 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules. The charge was formally dismissed following a contested hearing in April 2025.

While Mr Maizen admitted to a separate ADRV under Article 2.1, relating to the presence of a prohibited substance in his system, the Tribunal accepted that the ingestion occurred Out-of-Competition and was unrelated to sporting performance. As a result, the standard three-month period of ineligibility was backdated and deemed already served by way of provisional suspension. Mr Maizen has therefore been immediately eligible to return to the sport.

The decision of the National Anti-Doping Panel can be viewed here.

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Sports Law Spotlight: Lions Warn Rugby Australia Over Potential Contract Breach

Posted on: June 30th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Senior Associate William Bowyer comments on the dispute between the British and Irish Lions and Rugby Australia, and discusses whether this could escalate into legal action over breach of contract.

Will’s comments were published in City AM, 23 June 2025, and can be found here.

“If, as Lions CEO Ben Calveley states, the formal tour agreement between the British and Irish Lions and Rugby Australia includes a specific clause governing which Test players must be released to participate in fixtures leading up to the Test series, not just the Tests themselves, then the Lions would likely have grounds for a breach of contract claim.

“An international sports dispute would have to be carefully considered from a jurisdictional standpoint and the contract will likely contain a clause dealing with which laws and courts or private arbitration house would consider the issue.

“With major commercial stakes – from broadcast rights to sponsorship and ticketing – both parties are under pressure to find a swift, negotiated resolution, while leveraging their respective contractual positions.”

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Angélique Richardson discusses the legal and reputation risks of doping in City AM

Posted on: May 7th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Writing in City AM, Associate Angélique Richardson discusses the return of tennis star Jannik Sinner following his three-month suspension for failing two “in-competition” drug tests and analyses the legal and reputational risks arising from anti-doping violations.

Angélique’s article was published in City AM, 7 May 2025, and can be found here.

Jannik Sinner and anti-doping bans in tennis: how players can mitigate risks

Jannik Sinner’s re-appearance at the Italian Open guarantees attention, following his three-month suspension for failing two “in-competition” drug tests during and eight days after Indian Wells last year, for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol.

Ranked world No1, the three-time Grand Slam winner’s return to competitive tennis at his home tournament this week is a reminder of the legal and reputational risks arising from anti-doping violations.

Sinner was charged with an anti-doping rule violation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which enforces the World Anti-Doping Code 2015 through the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (“TAPD”).

According to the TAPD, a first in-competition rule violation carries a four-year ban, reduced to two if proven unintentional. The ban could be eliminated if the player proves “no fault or negligence”, meaning that they couldn’t have reasonably known or suspected they had used a prohibited substance.

Sinner and his team never denied the substance was in his system. Thei argument was that his fitness coach purchased an antiseptic spray which contained clostebol.

While Sinner was at Indian Wells, his physio accidentally cut his hand and used the fitness coach’s antiseptic spray daily to treat the cut. The physio massaged Sinner without wearing gloves or washing his hands, and the substance entered Sinner’s system through the cut. They claimed Sinner bore no fault or negligence.

Initially, this version of events was accepted by the independent tribunal. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland and reached a case resolution agreement with Sinner for a three-month ban, which elapsed on Sunday.

This case, while resolved, highlighted numerous issues faced by professional athletes.

Sinner’s reputation and integrity have been called into question, including by fellow player Novak Djokovic, and future potential sponsors and partners may be wary.

Many commercial deals with brands contain anti-doping clauses which enable them to terminate the agreements when an athlete is alleged to have committed an doping violation. Sinner may find some of these clauses triggered.

Stars like Jannik Sinner ‘must be proactive’

The ease of cross-contamination is clear. Sinner was contaminated by his physio, but the same could happen when sharing equipment with others who have used a prohibited substance, touching friends and family who have used a prohibited substance or using untested supplements.

A recent study commissioned by Sport Integrity Australia showed that, of the 200 supplements tested, 35 per cent contained WADA-prohibited substances. Athletes assume the ingredients listed in supplements are accurate, but this is not always true.

So, what can be done? Better education is needed about the risks associated with supplements, including via seminars, clubs, online resources and support teams.

Athletes can further mitigate risks by using Informed-Sport Certified supplements, staying up-to-date with substances on the prohibited list, and ensuring that nutritionists and staff members are fully trained. Instructing a sports lawyer with a specialism in doping is a no-brainer.

In the event of an anti-doping rule violation notice or charge, athletes should talk to a legal specialist. Sinner and WADA reaching an agreement on a three-month ban came thanks to the specialist anti-doping knowledge of his lawyers, who will also be working hard to ensure as few commercial deals are impacted as possible.

Athletes and their teams need to proactively reduce risks. An apology won’t get you out of trouble. Regardless, Sinner will hope that it is his tennis, rather than his lawyers, doing the talking at the Italian Open.

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William Bowyer comments on Brazilian clubs signing European players in City A.M.

Posted on: September 16th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

Will’s comments were published in City A.M., 16 September 2024, and can be found here.

“Investment in football from the Americas has grown substantially in recent years, with a move to Brazil’s top flight becoming an increasingly viable and profitable route for players.

“There is a strong argument to say that the standard of clubs (facilities, funds, squad quality and academies) in Europe is still growing and attracting the best global talent. However, as a result, European leagues are becoming increasingly saturated, with players now looking to other leagues to play their football and progress their careers.
 
“The growth of the Saudi Pro League is also hard to ignore. As noted recently by Ronald Koeman in relation to the moves of Steven Bergwijn to Al-Ittihad and Memphis Depay to Corinthians, the former effectively “closed the book” on his international career whilst the latter remains available for selection. Moving to Brazil is therefore an attractive option for players who want a move away from Europe but to keep their international aspirations alive.

“Importantly, Brazil’s Série A clubs have experienced a period of growth in revenue since 2010 which has meant that they have been able to offer higher wages than they had historically for the right players.

“Larger European clubs are also increasingly looking at Brazilian leagues for potential talent. For a young player or a player struggling to get minutes at a European club, playing in Brazil could therefore be a good opportunity to get some game time in a competitive league, with the view to hopefully returning to Europe later in their career.

“With football being the number one sport in Brazil, a move to Brazil is a chance for a player to broaden their own fan base, social media following and personal brand which could lead to brand deals and image rights related work.”

If you would like more information on how our Sports and Entertainment team help protect and innovate for top athletes, please contact a member of the team below.

Lawrence Stephens advises Mario Silva on first promotional deal with Boxxer

Posted on: June 25th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

The Sports & Entertainment team, led by Angelique Richardson, has advised professional boxer, Mario Silva, together with Merah Vodianova and Elliott Amoakoh of Nova Sport Group, on Mario’s first promotional deal with Boxxer.

Silva, with a current record of 5-0, is one of the youngest fighters in Boxxer’s stable at only 21, and is looking to be the next greatest middleweight of the generation. Mario will make his debut with Boxxer on 3 August 2024 on the Chelli v Simpson undercard at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley.

Commenting on the deal, Mario said “I’m ready. Nova and Angelique have changed my life getting this deal over the line. I’m one step closer to my purpose and mission in this life”.

Angelique said: “This deal is life-changing for Mario – I’m thrilled to have advised him and Nova on this deal and we’re all really excited to see what Mario can bring to the middleweight division.”

Mohit Pasricha comments on legal challenges to refereeing decisions in the Evening Standard

Posted on: October 5th, 2023 by AlexT

In light of Liverpool FC looking to challenge a controversial VAR decision, following a game against Tottenham Hotspur, Director and Head of Sports & Entertainment Mohit Pasricha comments on potential legal options for the club.

Mohit’s comments were published in the Evening Standard, 5 October 2023, and can be found here.

“Whilst the PGMOL have admitted a significant error occurred, Liverpool are ultimately facing an uphill battle to succeed in any legal claim.

Any case would need to establish whether human error directly affected the outcome of the game (which is not evident) or potentially Liverpool’s final position at the end of the season (which cannot be determined now).

Allowing a successful claim based on human error could set a dangerous precedent and potentially open the floodgates for other clubs to make similar challenges, making it highly improbable for any such claim to prevail.”