Event Programme

Event Programme for: Special Sports Briefing: Club, Country & Players

8.30 - 9.00 Registration


9.00 Chairman's Introduction
Lindsey Greig: Managing Editor, World Sports Law Report


9.15 What are the Causes of the Disputes:

Clubs, players and sporting organisations have become involved in bitter disputes, over who controls players. This session looks at the underlying causes of the disputes which affect not just football but other professional sports.

Christine Oughton: Director, Football Governance Research Centre, Birkbeck, University of London
Sally Longworth: Partner, Grant Thornton UK


10. 00 The Players Perspective

Professional Players organisations give the players perspective on the disputes that have the potential to have a major impact on their careers.

Damian Hopley: CEO, Professional Rugby Players Association
Ian Smith: Vice President Legal, The Professional Cricketers' Association
Simon Barker: Senior Executive, Professional Footballers' Association


10.45 Coffee


11.15 Club & Country: Discussion Forum

National and international sports organisations explain their concerns and objectives.

Leading Premier League Clubs in football and other sports explain their concerns and objectives.

Heinz Tännler: Director Legal Division, FIFA
Jean-Louis Dupont: Counsel for G14 /Lawyer, Elegis
Maurice Watkins: Director, Manchester United
Quentin Smith: Chairman, Sale Sharks


1pm Lunch


2.15 The Legal Perspective:

Some of these disputes have already headed into court. This session looks at how European and national law impacts on the arguments, and which laws, if any, apply.

Howard Cartlidge: Partner, Olswang


2.45 The Sponsors & Rights Purchaser’s Perspective

Sponsors and rights purchasers have made massive investments in sport. Investments which have helped to make clubs, players and sporting organisations wealthy. This session looks at the concerns of those who fund sport.

Jonathan Cocke: Senior Vice-President of Events & Federations, IMG


3.15 Coffee


3.30 Which way now for clubs, country and players.

This Panel and open discussion session aims to bring together the themes of the day to look at how the conflicts might be resolved and failing resolution what are the possible outcomes for sport and all those involved.

Simon Barker: Senior Executive, Professional Footballers' Association
Quentin Smith: Chairman, Sale Sharks
Ian Smith: Vice President Legal, The Professional Cricketers' Association

Ends at 4pm