From rising star to retirement — a footballer’s guide to wealth, family & future planning
We break down the key stages of a footballer’s career and outline how the right guidance safeguards their wealth and long‑term future.
Football Lawyers
Our award-winning sports lawyers play a crucial behind-the-scenes role in football — supporting clubs, players and executives with the complex legal challenges that underpin the sport.
As one of the country’s leading legal teams in football, we’re proud to work with an array of Premier League and EFL clubs, managers, coaches and players, as well as international sports agencies.
We’ve gained national recognition in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 for our work across the world of sport as well as regionally at the Northwest Football Awards, where we won Best Business or Professional Services Organisation Serving Football in 2025.
We’re also ranked as a top-tier firm for sports law in The Legal 500, which places us "among the market leaders" for our "broad sports practice spanning governance, commercial, regulatory and employment matters" and shortlisted for Best Professional Services Company Serving Football at the Football Business Awards 2026.
Everyone involved in the game needs specialist legal advisors who truly understand this dynamic environment. Football has highly demanding commercial, operational and reputational needs and getting compliance wrong comes with immense risk. We understand the pressures of the football calendar and provide efficient, pragmatic advice when timing matters most. 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 reputational and crisis management matters and supporting on transfers, player contracts and football regulations — our experts add value, provide peace of mind and speak your language.
Our clients include Liverpool FC, Leicester City FC, Wrexham AFC, the EFL, prominent football agencies and agents as well as elite players, coaches, senior executives and their families.
Our B Corp status underpins our commitment to driving positive change within football. Our annual State of Play conference — held at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium — convenes sports leaders to discuss and progress key issues such as athlete welfare and digital transformation.
We’re regular commentators on legal issues in football, featuring in national and regional press as well as on radio and television. A number of our lawyers sit on esteemed panels including The FA’s National Serious Case Panel (which adjudicates on all types of serious disciplinary cases in grassroots football), the EFL’s Together Advisory Panel, the Sports Resolution Panel for SCMP (Safeguarding Case Management Programme) and the Sport Resolution Panel of Arbitrators. We’re also trusted advisors in FA Safeguarding Disciplinary Hearings and FA Rule K and English Football League (EFL) arbitration proceedings.
Discover more about our core services for football below. To explore how our team can help you to navigate a fast‑evolving industry, call 0333 004 4488, email hello@brabners.com or send us a message.
“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.”
Head of Legal Services, Wrexham A.F.C.
“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
Widely recognised as leaders in football
Experienced football legal specialists
Our football team is led by Lydia Edgar and Matt Lavelle, who’ve built outstanding reputations as trusted advisors across the football ecosystem and are recognised as such by The Legal 500. Their combination of employment law expertise and deep regulatory knowledge of football places them at the centre of sensitive, high-profile and operationally critical matters including senior leadership appointments and exits, first-team operational matters, player transfer agreements, player contracts, football agency agreements, employment tribunals and complex discrimination and conduct investigations.
The pair work closely alongside Andrew McGregor, a litigator with considerable experience in complex football-related dispute resolution. He’s often called on to represent clients in FA Rule K arbitration proceedings, FA Commission proceedings and High Court proceedings, as well as before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Andrew also advises on football regulations and the content of football-related contractual documentation, as well as a range of other commercial agreements.
“Rising Star” Catherine Forshaw brings a wealth of contentious and non-contentious regulatory, safeguarding, anti-doping and general commercial litigation expertise to the team. Recognised in the Leaders Sport Awards 'Leaders Under 40' Class of 2025, Catherine is a regular media commentator on sports law and a qualified UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Accredited Advisor who sits on the EFL’s Together Advisory Panel, which provides guidance on issues relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Specialist football lawyers
Personal legal advice for footballers & executives
We represent high-profile individuals and their families across the world of football, delivering market-leading, discreet and efficient advice to help you achieve your long-term life goals. Our clients include players, athletes, coaches, managers, officials, agents and senior executives at all levels of sport.
Our services include:
- Responsibility & philanthropy — Whether you’re a donor, volunteer or charity trustee, we can help you to navigate your legal requirements and responsibilities so that you can focus on giving back to causes close to your heart.
- Wealth protection & tax planning — Tax rules are constantly changing, particularly for those with international connections and backgrounds. We’re experienced in working with individuals who have complex arrangements due to blended families, financial dependents, overseas properties or significant tax liabilities. We can help to manage and protect your wealth and assets — including real estate investments and property based overseas.
- Immigration & visas — With many athletes and staff moving in and out of the UK and international territories throughout their careers, we provide the support that they and their families need when it comes to immigration matters, including providing additional support in obtaining visas for those moving to the UK.
- Family & relationships — We assist with relationship breakdowns, property issues and child arrangements while prioritising confidentiality in the face of media interest. We’re also experienced in supporting on international family matters and preparing Wills, prenups, cohabitation agreements and more.
- Business & commercial advice — We work closely with footballers to set the foundations of their brands and businesses to ensure that they can capitalise on their sporting success. Image rights hold immense financial value. We work with athletes who want to develop, commercialise and protect their image and brand.
- When things go wrong — We support footballers in relation to sports disciplinary matters and their regulatory obligations. With leading experts in reputation management and media law, our preventative advice is designed to protect footballers’ careers.
Watch: Our reputation management lawyers explain how they work
Trusted independent external advisors to:
Brabners is a purpose-led independent law firm.
Our independence allows us to be objective, principled and provide a service with heart and personality.
We’re on a mission to make the difference for our clients, people and communities. Proudly anchored in the North since 1815, we serve all of England and Wales.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
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Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
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Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
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Football law insights from our team
Major study highlights a critical concussion “tipping point” in women’s football
We explore the key findings from the study and outline what they mean for clubs, governing bodies and others responsible for player welfare.
How athletes are protecting their brand identity against commercial & AI‑driven misuse
We explore how athletes like Cole Palmer and Luke Littler are using trade marks and outline the legal standards that they must meet.
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.
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.
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