Sports Law

Specialist legal advice for people in sport delivered by experts who understand your needs.

We provide expert, client focused, legal consultation across a range of areas within sports law. From assisting both agents and athletes with disciplinary cases and contract disputes to advising ex-players throughout claims when they’ve been misled with investment schemes, our work is varied and often complex.

While our cases centre primarily around football-related matters, we welcome enquiries from all facets of sport. Our specialist Sports Law Team have proved successful on a variety of premium cases, ranging up to millions of pounds in value.

Our team is headed by ex-footballer Gareth Farrelly, who has a niche expertise in complex high-value fraud litigation and associated negligence actions, as well as claims for mis-sold financial products.

Our past clients include top-level coaches, players, agents, and agencies, as well as EFL clubs themselves. Sport is an ever-changing landscape, one which is becoming more sophisticated with each passing season. To stay on top of compliance and ensure efficient revenue generation, expert consultation is vital – at Glaisyers ETL, we can help.

Speak with our Sports Law team
Testimonials

"An excellent choice for commercial disputes in the football sector."

Testimonials

"Gareth Farrelly is very experienced and knowledgeable about football matters."

Testimonials

"David Jones is ‘never outmanoeuvred tactically’ and is an ‘exceptional commercial litigator’ who is ‘brilliant at finding a commercial angle'."

Our core corporate capabilities.

Our Services

Sports disputes require confident, immediate action by competent professionals, without this, costs can very quickly increase and issues can evolve rapidly. At Glaisyers ETL we’re proud to be considered an ‘excellent choice for disputes in the football sector’ by Legal 500.

We offer solutions for a variety of issues, ranging throughout the sports pyramid, we have been involved in deals worth millions of pounds, but we will never overlook your issue if we feel our expertise could be instrumental in your case being a success.

  • Assisting with contract disputes
  • Cross-border contract negotiations
  • Assisting players and ex-players with claims
  • Advising on safeguarding matters with young players
  • Advising on disciplinary cases and investigations
  • Advising high net worth individuals in negotiations and settlements with HMRC
  • Advising on matters relating to the exploitation of personal data
  • Working with clients in matters involving top professional football clubs, including those within the Premier League

The world of sports is fast-moving on and off the pitch, and you need lawyers who are informed, proactive, and ready to assist. We pride ourselves on offering tailored advice on a diverse range of issues within sport, ultimately, helping our clients thrive.

Senior Associate, Head of Sports Law

Gareth Farrely

Following his transition into law, Gareth has built a practice focused on helping clubs, players, agents and sporting organisations navigate disputes, regulatory matters and governance issues. He is passionate about promoting fairness and integrity across the sporting landscape, combining first-hand industry experience with specialist legal expertise. 

Alongside his role at Glaisyers ETL, Gareth is Co-Founder and CEO of the Union of European Clubs (UEC), an organisation established to champion a more balanced and sustainable football ecosystem where clubs of all sizes have the opportunity to succeed. 

Since 2014, Gareth has served as an Independent Football Panel Member of the Football Association Judicial Panel, chairing and adjudicating a wide range of disciplinary matters, including regulatory, anti-doping, safeguarding and betting-related cases. He is also appointed to the FA Claims Panel, where he hears wrongful dismissal claims within the game.

Beyond his legal and regulatory work, Gareth is a Trustee of The Players Foundation, supporting current and former players through a range of welfare initiatives.

Since joining Glaisyers ETL in 2023, Gareth has become a key figure within the firm's Sports Law practice. Based primarily in our Liverpool office, he has advised on a number of high-profile and landmark matters, including securing judgment for a client in a £370,000 costs dispute against a firm of solicitors. 

t. 0151 332 3555
e. Gareth.Farrelly@glaisyers.com

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Find the Right Expert

Supported by access to specialists across departments and practice areas, our Sports Law department is led by Senior Associate Gareth Farrelly, a qualified solicitor and former Premier League footballer whose 16-year professional playing career provides a unique perspective on the legal and commercial realities of sport.

Senior Associate

Gareth Farrelly
Gareth Farrelly
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Partner, Head of Commercial Litigation

daniel fitzgerald - Head of Commercial Litigation
Daniel Fitzgerald
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Partner, Head of Liverpool

partner in liverpool - adrian rogers
Adrian Rogers
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Partner, UK Head of Legal

David Jones
David Jones
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Partner, Head of Creative, Digital & Media

Steve Kuncewicz
Steve Kuncewicz
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For confidential advice, contact our Sports Law team today.

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