Barry Lysaght

Barry Lysaght is an experienced sports lawyer and Managing Director of Lysaght Sports, a boutique legal consultancy specialising in the regulation and governance of sport.

With over 13 years of experience at the forefront of international sport, Barry has held senior legal positions with some of the world’s most influential governing bodies, including FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

Throughout his career, Barry has advised on some of the most exciting, complex and high-profile projects across world football and other sports, building a reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable advisor, a skilled advocate and a subject matter expert in the regulation of sport.

Career Highlights

Barry has advised as lead lawyer on a range of historic and landmark projects, including:

• Privatisation and restructuring of major Saudi football clubs – advising on the transformation and restructuring of Saudi Arabia’s biggest football clubs;
• Regulation of the USD10bn international transfer market at FIFA – advising decision-makers from football associations and clubs worldwide on transfer regulations, while investigating breaches of FIFA rules;
• Formula One Financial Regulations – advising on the development of the first-ever ‘cost cap’ regulations for Formula One as part of his role at the FIA;
• AFC Asian Cup 2027 – acting as lead lawyer on Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host Asia’s flagship national team tournament for the first time in its history; and
• Saudi footballers’ union – advising on the creation of the first-ever representative body for professional footballers in the Kingdom.

Football Regulation and Governance

Barry’s expertise is particularly strong in the regulation and governance of football, where he has been centrally involved in high-level projects at FIFA, AFC and SAFF. His experience includes:

• Leading disciplinary, integrity and anti-doping programmes at major competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup and AFC Champions League;
• Investigating and prosecuting hundreds of breaches of FIFA and AFC regulations, from match manipulation to transfer disputes;
• Drafting regulations for new and restructured competitions, such as the AFC Champions League Elite;
• Regulating the USD 10 billion global transfer market at FIFA TMS, become a trusted point of contact on FIFA transfer rules; and
• General Counsel to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation at a time of unprecedented ambition in Saudi football, advising on the full range of legal issues.

Dispute Resolution and Advocacy

Barry has a strong track record in successfully representing stakeholders before leading sports arbitration bodies, including the judicial chambers of FIFA, FIA and AFC. He has acted in disputes involving clubs, players and governing bodies, covering transfer matters, disciplinary cases, contractual disputes and doping-related issues.

He previously served as Deputy Secretary to the AFC Judicial Committees, successfully prosecuting disciplinary and ethics decisions, and continues to sit as both chair and member of judicial bodies of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), including its Anti-Doping Tribunal and Independent Board of Appeal on Classification.

Thought Leadership

Barry is a published author and recognised speaker in the field of sports law. His work has appeared in leading publications such as LawInSport, Football Legal and the World Sports Law Report. He has lectured and delivered seminars for a range of prominent organisations, including:

• The Law Society of Ireland;
• The British Association for Sport and Law (BASL); and
• The International Football Business Institute (IFBI).

He also previously served as Managing Editor of the Asser International Sports Law Journal, helping shape academic and professional discourse on the evolving challenges in sports law and governance.

Education and Qualifications

Barry holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Sports Law and Practice from De Montfort University, awarded with Distinction. His dissertation, which focused on the FIFA regulations relating to private football academies, won the Sky Sports Prize for Best Sports Law and Practice Dissertation.

He is a qualified solicitor in Ireland and admitted to practise before the Senior Courts of England and Wales. In addition, he is a licensed FIFA Football Agent, enabling him to provide comprehensive representation and advisory services to players (including minors), coaches, clubs, leagues and federations.

Languages and International Experience

Truly international in outlook, Barry has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, advising clients across multiple jurisdictions and cultures. He works fluently in English and French, with proficiency in German, Danish and Irish.

Barry’s multi-disciplinary and international experience working in major international sports governing bodies across the world assures clients of a respect and appreciation for differing cultural and business contexts.

Current Role

As Managing Director of Lysaght Sports, Barry provides expert legal, regulatory and governance services to a wide range of clients across the sports industry, including clubs, federations, leagues, investors and players. His consultancy offers:

• Regulatory and governance expertise, advising on statutes, regulations and licensing frameworks;
• Dispute resolution services, including representation before CAS and national/continental judicial bodies;
• Contractual support, from sponsorship agreements to player and agent contracts;
• Compliance and integrity advisory, covering financial regulation, anti-doping and safeguarding; and
• Representation as a FIFA Football Agent, with expertise in transfers, employment contracts and the protection of minors.

Barry combines deep legal expertise with practical insight gained at the heart of world sport’s most powerful institutions. Through Lysaght Sports, his mission is to equip clients with the clear, practical and effective legal support they need to navigate challenges, protect their interests and seize opportunities in a high-stakes global industry.

Contact

• Telephone: +971585352389
• E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Website: www.lysaghtsports.com