Key sports law cases & developments 2024 – U.K. & Ireland

At the end of each year, we publish our festive compilation articles to identify the most important legal cases and developments from the world of sports law in the preceding 12 months. The articles are comprised of the opinions of leading lawyers and executives from the LawInSport Editorial and Advisory Board.

This article contains the responses from our U.K. and Irish members:

• Louis Weston, Barrister, Outer Temple Chambers
  • Publication of the UNODC’s/IOC Practical Guide to the Prosecution of Cases of Competition Manipulation
• Nick De Marco KC, Barrister, Blackstone Chambers
  • The increasing tendency for ordinary courts to regulate the activity of sports
• Jon Walters, Partner, Northridge Law
  • Multi-club ownership in football
• Genevieve Gordon, Commercial and Legal Director, Netball Players Association
  • Imane Khelif and athlete abuse at the Paris Olympic Games
  • Tragic death of Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei
• Alistair McHenry, Partner and Head of Sport, Tyr
  • The prevalence of “mistrust” and credibility issues across sports law cases
• Leigh Thompson, Head of Policy, Sport and Recreation Alliance
  • The introduction of gambling sponsorship codes of conduct
• Danielle Sharkey, Senior Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP (assisted by Daniel McDonagh, Associate)
  • Anti-doping cases
  • The Diarra case
  • Premier League “Associate Party Transactions” arbitration
• Tim O’Connor BL, Practising Barrister, Irish Bar
  • Dublin named a potential seat for UEFA CAS arbitrations
• Lydia Banerjee, Barrister, Littleton Chambers
  • Enabling the participation of transgender and DSD women in sport
• Mark Hovell, Partner, Mills & Reeve LLP
  • Implications of Diarra on FIFA’s Transfer Regulations
• Rupert Beloff, Barrister & Joint Head of Chambers, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
  • Approach to trans and DSD athletes at Paris 2024 Olympics
  • Elbanna v Clark: liability for injuries on the field of play
• Clíodhna Guy, Head of Governance and Legal, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board
  • Integrity challenges across the sporting spectrum; and the increasing political influence of sport
• Chris Anderson, Sports Lawyer 
  • A modern approach to developing and operating regulation

We would like to thank our Editorial and Advisory Board members for taking the time out of their busy schedules to share their views with us, and also more broadly for their significant input into LawInSport over the course of the year.  Thank you.