The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) was established by the Governance Act 2025 to “protect and promote the sustainability of English football for the benefit of fans and the local communities that football clubs serve.” This webinar will explore the legal and regulatory implications of what may be a formidable piece of legislation.
Speakers:
Brian O’Neil, 2 Hare Court
Now in his seventeenth year in Silk, Brian specialises in private prosecutions, business crime, serious crime, regulatory crime and sports law. His expert skills can be applied to any complex situation whether defending or prosecuting across various jurisdictions. He is regularly instructed by The Football Association, for whom he acted in the Ivan Toney betting case. The case was widely reported and commented upon in the national media: Sky News | BBC | The Guardian | The FAHe is currently representing The FA in the ongoing case it has brought against Chelsea FC for multiple breaches of the Agents, the Intermediaries and the Third Party Interest Regulations which occurred when the Club was owned by Roman Abramovich. He prosecuted the football bribery case – R v Pagliara & others, which arose from an undercover investigation by The Daily Telegraph. The case was widely covered in the national press, click the links here and here to read more. He has represented a number of Premier League footballers in criminal proceedings.
Harry Laidlaw, 2 Hare Court
Harry practises in sports regulatory law alongside his wider criminal practice, with a particular focus on football and gymnastics. He has acted both for The Football Association and for Premier League clubs in disciplinary proceedings and was previously seconded to the FA where he worked on regulatory and disciplinary matters. He regularly appears before the FA’s Regulatory Commission and Appeal Board in cases involving player misconduct, betting breaches and crowd disorder, acting across the full disciplinary process from investigation and charge through to contested hearings and appeals.
Harry is currently instructed by British Gymnastics in disciplinary proceedings arising from historic allegations concerning a number of elite & Olympic coaches.
Chair:
Marco Floreale, Wollens Solicitors
Marco is a Partner and Head of the Sports Law Division at Wollens Solicitors, based in South Devon, where he advises clubs, governing bodies, athletes and sport organisations on regulatory, disciplinary and governance matters. Marco is an active member of ARDL and co-chairs the Sports Law Practice group and supports ARDL’s aim of developing sports law as a recognised regulatory and disciplinary specialism