Sports Professionals Representation

Our expertise

BCL are ranked in Band 1 for Crime in Chambers and Partners and Band 1 for Crime: General in The Legal 500.

The services available to sports professionals include:

• Provision of expert legal advice and assistance at interviews under caution and fact-finding meetings;
• Strategic preparation of cases from the point of instruction;
• Reputation management, including working closely with PR firms and other professionals;
• Drafting written representations to investigatory, regulatory and prosecuting agencies /
  associations;
• Communication of legal issues on behalf of clients to agents, fellow sporting professionals, family and friends;
• Representation at all types of sports regulatory and criminal-related hearings;
• Instruction of highly skilled barristers to conduct advocacy and provide specialist advice;
• Working alongside an array of experts, such as medical, forensic, financial and collision investigation experts; and
• Quality legal advice and representation for all criminal offences, including violence, public order, motoring / road traffic, dishonesty, sexual offences, firearms / weapons and drugs.

Our experience

Examples of our instructions include:

• Representing professional footballer concerning charge for assault, which allegedly occurred following a pitch invasion at the end of a Championship play-off match. Our client was acquitted following a trial Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
• Advising a former footballer and coach concerning sexual assault allegations made by a number of youth players. The matter also included parallel regulatory action by the FA, who sought permanent suspension from all football related activity.
• Acting for a rugby player and ex-premiership team coach in relation to an allegation of sexual assault by penetration.
• Acting for a Premier League footballer accused of serious sexual assaults, including representation at the police station, and making submissions to the police, resulting in no further action being taken. This case required intensive negotiations with police to ensure a swift conclusion to the investigation, enabling our client to continue their career.
• Acting for a Premier League footballer accused of public order offences following an incident with a spectator. Following representation at interview and further submissions to the police and the CPS, no further action was taken.

BCL has long been top-ranked by the major legal directories in the area of Crime and is currently ranked as follows:

• Band 1 – Chambers and Partners, Crime
• Tier 1 – Legal 500: Crime
• Leading Firm – The Times Best Law Firms: Financial Crime & Fraud & Regulatory