AI in elite sport — key legal considerations around ‘performance enhancing technology’
AI is enhancing performance and even scouting future talent in elite sport. Sports technology and data are key to success, but come with legal risks.
Football Lawyers
Our specialists perform high-end legal work across the world of football.
We're one of the largest, most experienced multidisciplinary legal teams in the sports industry. Our expert football lawyers are proud to provide bespoke legal advice to Premier League and English Football League clubs, managers, coaches and players, as well as international sports agencies.
Everyone involved in modern football needs specialised legal advisers who truly understand this unique environment. The industry has highly demanding commercial, operational and reputational needs and getting things like transfers, partnerships and compliance wrong comes with immense risk.
Renowned for a variety of high-end work across the men’s and women’s games — ranging from advising on the acquisition of football clubs in administration to acting for prominent public figures in crisis management matters and advising on transfers, player contracts and football regulations — our football law experts add value, speak your language and dare to address the new legal challenges you face.
Commended in The Times Best Law Firms, our nationally-recognised football lawyers are proud to have helped shape the current sports law landscape through their work with an exceptional client base. We also won the award for Best Business or Professional Services Organisation Serving Football at the Northwest Football Awards 2025 and are shortlisted for Best Professional Services Company Serving Football at the Football Business Awards 2026.
To explore how our team can help you to navigate a fast‑evolving industry, call 0333 004 4488, email hello@brabners.com or complete our contact form.
“Morgan Lewis, Matt Lavelle and the wider Brabners team have proven to be a valuable resource for Wrexham A.F.C. Their wide-ranging knowledge means we receive thorough guidance, which has always been delivered with a genuinely friendly, easy-going approach across every commercial, data, employment and regulatory project we have worked on.”
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“One of the top dogs in the sports sector.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500 2026
“Amongst the market leaders for [sports] work. Excellent knowledge and contacts in the industry.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500 2026
“Andrew McGregor is incredibly personable... an astute lawyer and litigator and excellent negotiator. Very well-connected in football.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500 2026
Deeply experienced football legal specialists on your team
Many members of our football and sports legal team are continuously ranked in professional guides as leading individuals in their fields (including in The Legal 500) and recognised by awards bodies like the Northern Powerhouse Awards.
The team is headed up by Legal Director Andrew McGregor, acknowledged as a ‘Next-Generation Partner’ by The Legal 500.
Andrew boasts many years’ experience advising high-profile clients across the football industry, including the English Football League (EFL), Leicester City FC, Birmingham City FC, Preston North End FC, Plymouth Argyle FC, Blackpool FC and several prominent football agencies, agents, players, managers and coaches.
As a firm, we're ranked in the top-tier of The Legal 500 for sports law. We're also regular commentators on legal issues in football, featuring in national and regional press as well as on radio and television.
Specialist football lawyers
Our legal services for the football industry
We boast a multidisciplinary sports law offering, giving our clients access to an extensive range of specialist solicitors.
We're regularly instructed by leagues, clubs, players, managers, coaches and governing bodies on a wide variety of specialist work across the world of football.
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Widely recognised as leaders in football
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Football law insights from our team
Government to consult on unlicensed gambling operators sponsoring British sports
We explore the consultation background, the regulatory concerns driving it and what it could mean for clubs with existing or future sponsorship deals.
Out with PSR, in with SCR — key takeaways for the Premier League’s new financial era
We explore how the Premier League’s landmark shift from PSR to the new SCR and SSR systems will reshape financial regulation.
AI in football — innovation, risks & the role of human judgement
We explore how AI is influencing football on and off the pitch, highlighting the real-world examples of its impact and the risks that come with it.
Women’s football demergers — key legal considerations when splitting from existing corporate structures
We explore some of the legal considerations for clubs in ‘hiving out’ their women’s team from existing corporate structures.
State of Play Conference 2025 — how to leverage sports technology
At the State of Play Conference 2025, leading voices from across the sport sector shared their insights on the topic of sports technology.
How breakaway & challenger leagues are redefining the sports landscape
Sport and entertainment are becoming increasingly intertwined, with sports and leagues forced to innovate to keep pace with trends.
Artificial Football Pitch Construction — 5 Key Legal Considerations
The key legal considerations for clubs looking to install artificial pitches — from complying with pitch standards to construction contracts and more.
Martyn’s Law — legal & regulatory implications for sports venues
Here's what sports clubs and event organisers need to know about Martyn’s Law.
What’s causing the ACL injury epidemic in women’s football?
Our sports law team explores why ACL injuries are more common in female football players and what can be done.
Supreme Court’s landmark gender ruling — a defining moment for sports governance
Find out what the Supreme Court’s ruling means for policymakers, sportspeople and grassroots sport.
Verbal abuse in women’s football on the rise — what legal protections are available for players?
We outline the issues being faced by players, the actions clubs are taking and what legal protections are available to help prevent and prosecute abuse.
Transgender athlete participation — navigating data protection laws when collecting sensitive personal data
Athletes might be asked to provide highly sensitive forms of personal data when competing. Here's eight steps to comply with data protection legislation.
FIFA feels the heat from women’s football stars in open letter on Saudi oil giant sponsorship
130 football stars have signed an open letter urging football’s governing body FIFA to reconsider its lucrative sponsorship deal with Aramco for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Football referee tax dispute showcases complexities of employment status in warning to organisations who engage self-employed individuals
In HMRC v PGMOL, the Supreme Court's judgment has undermined the significance of mutuality of obligation as a legal and practical factor when assessing employment status.
Enabling digital transformation in sport — the legal pitfalls around data, security and regulation
Our sports technology team scan the horizon of technological development and outline the key legal considerations that sports regulators, governors and organisations must address at the outset of digital transformation.
Rezzil — the fast-growing sports tech business set to transform injury prevention, treatment and recovery
We spoke with Rezzil's founder Andy Etches to find out how virtual technology may be increasingly used in injury prevention, treatment and recovery.
Changes to non-dom tax regime set to drive foreign sportspeople to leave the UK
Our private client law team explore the proposed changes to the non-dom regime and how they could impact sportspeople.
Representing an international footballer in financial proceedings for his child
Our family law experts represented a high-profile international footballer in court proceedings concerning financial support for his child.
Football players and image rights — are clubs and brands profiting unfairly?
Here, Eleanor Green provides a guide for footballers (and other athletes) looking to maximise their commercial income and maintain control over their image rights.
State of Play 2024 — sports stars explore the latest developments in athlete welfare
Our annual State of Play conference brought together leading voices and decision-makers from across the world of sport to discuss athlete welfare.
On-field contracts — a straightforward guide for football players
We explore the ‘on-field’ agreements to help football players protect their reputations, financial security and rights.
Media obligations and athlete welfare — should footballers be ‘mentally fit’ for interview?
In football, most contracts and competition rules obligate players to appear before the media. Is it time for change?
Betting regulation breaches in football — what can clubs do to remedy and reduce risks?
We explore the remedial steps available to Newcastle United following Sandro Tonali's ten-month ban from football.
Women’s football — closing the loophole on free transfers for academy players
A new compensation regime has been introduced for WSL and Championship clubs to prevent young players being poached.
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