Existing clients

Log in to your client extranet for free matter information, know-how and documents.

Staff

Mills & Reeve system for employees.

Sports blog

Our sports law blog provides legal insights and updates on the key issues affecting the sports industry.

illustration for Sports blog

Filter blogs

72 items

14 Feb 2024

7 mins

Betting in football - a review of The FA v Kian Harratt case

In the latest in a series of high-profile football betting cases, The FA has handed Huddersfield Town striker, Kian Harratt, a four month ban and a fine of £3,200 for 484 breaches of the FA Betting Rules.

More

09 Oct 2023

9 mins

A new playing field for Football: can FIFPRO’s Charter successfully referee the data game?

The growing data economy has raised significant questions about consent and ownership of football players’ personal and performance data, leading to the development of the FIFPRO Charter of Player Data Rights.

More

22 Sep 2023

6 mins

An analysis of the recent FA v Harry Toffolo case

Harry Toffolo received a five-month ban and a fine for 375 breaches of the FA Betting Rules, with the leniency attributed to the nature of his bets and mitigating factors.

More

11 Jul 2023

6 mins

Changes to The Football Association’s Governing Body Endorsement criteria

The Home Office has approved new Governing Body Endorsement (“GBE”) Criteria for The FA.   

More

17 May 2023

2 mins

Head injuries in sport – let’s not forget our grassroots sports

The safeguarding measures for head injuries in sport are under the microscope. Professional clubs have the resources to keep up to date with safe-guarding measures. But what about our grassroots sports?

More

21 Feb 2023

2 mins

Mills & Reeve supports International Tennis Integrity Agency against Tennis Anti-Corruption Program breaches

The sports law team at Mills & Reeve successfully supported the ITIA in prosecuting Younes Rachidi, Mohamed Hassan, and Houria Boukholda for 179 match-fixing offences.

More

02 Feb 2023

3 mins

The Football Legal Aid Fund and its implications for agents

The International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) has established the Football Legal Aid Fund (FLAF), effective from 1 February 2023, to provide financial assistance for football-related disputes.

More

03 Oct 2022

4 mins

WADA prohibited list 2023

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has added Tramadol to the 2023 Prohibited List, effective from January 2024, while maintaining cannabis on the list due to health risks and its violation of the “spirit of sport.”

More

12 Apr 2022

2 mins

Mills & Reeve advises UK Sport in establishing first of its kind "Sport Integrity"

In April 2022, UK Sport launched ‘Sport Integrity,’ an independent service for reporting and investigating unacceptable behavior in Olympic and Paralympic sports, with a regulatory framework developed by Mills & Reeve LLP.

More

21 Mar 2022

2 mins

A slice of Champignons League please

Pizza chef Sadi Souri named his mushroom pizza “Champignons League,” but UEFA initially objected due to trademark concerns before ultimately allowing it, recognising no real consumer confusion.

More

16 Mar 2022

3 mins

Court of Appeal kicks Bath Rugby Club covenant into touch

A recent Court of Appeal decision was welcome news for Bath Rugby Club as it enables the planned construction of a new 18,000-seater capacity stadium.

More

17 Feb 2022

1 min

Eco Park - a Trojan Horse for the future of stadia?

Forest Green Rovers has just published revised plans for the Eco Park which will include an all-wooden 5,000 seat stadium.

More

21 Feb 2021

6 mins

The FA v Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – a new approach to substances of abuse in sport

The FA published the reasons for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s anti-doping case, where he tested positive for cocaine, allowing him to resume playing after demonstrating the drug use was unrelated to sport performance.

More

05 Jan 2021

1 min

Football and Brexit: FAQs on the 2021 FA GBE Rules

On 1 December 2020, The Home Office approved the revised entry requirements for overseas players post Brexit.

More

18 Nov 2020

3 mins

Bath’s stadium plans driven backwards by ancient covenant

Bath Rugby Club’s plan to build a new stadium is jeopardized by a historic restrictive covenant, which the High Court ruled is still enforceable, highlighting the importance of thorough property title reviews.

More

12 Nov 2020

3 mins

Who’s Who Legal Awards: Sport & Entertainment 2020

The Sport & Entertainment 2020 Awards were announced today, and we are absolutely delighted that our Mark Hovell has been selected as Sports Lawyer of the Year, and Mills & Reeve LLP were announced as the Sports Firm of the Year!

More

15 Jul 2020

4 mins

FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations 2021 – Key Changes and Developments

FIFA has today published the final version of its Anti-Doping Rules (“ADR”) which come into force on 1 January 2021...

More

24 Apr 2020

1 min

Book: Transfers of Football Players

Our Carol Couse and Tiran Gunawardena have contributed a chapter to a book to be published by The Sports Law and Policy Centre titled “Transfers of Football Players: A practical approach to implementing FIFA rules.”

More