Integrity is the lifeblood of sport.
From sports betting, to anti-doping, to safeguarding, the spotlight upon integrity and sports regulation has never been brighter, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way sport can be played safely. It is more important than ever that all stakeholders in sport have sufficient policies and procedures in place protecting their integrity.
A sport that places integrity at the heart of its culture and values is one that can be recognised as honest and trustworthy, one that truly champions fair play and sportsmanship, and above all provides a safe environment for all those who compete, from grassroots to elite level. Integrity should be the core value across the philosophy of all sports, and our team is dedicated to supporting you achieve and maintain that aim.
Integrity has been a key focus for our sports group since the launch of our Integrity Services Unit in 2018, the first for a law firm, and we have supported a number of stakeholders, from clubs and leagues, to players and regulators, through integrity reviews and crises responses. The ISU, built upon a “Rapid Response Unit” and a “Integrity Risk Review” is headed by industry experts Darren Bailey and Danielle Sharkey, each with valuable in-house experience at major sporting organisations.

Rapid Response Unit
Our Rapid Response Unit can offer you a unique confidential hotline to connect with our team at any time, to talk through any critical issues that you might be facing. We will react instantly to direct you to the best person for the job, to ensure that your issue is dealt with confidently and immediately. The Rapid Response Unit is supported by a team of experts across a number of legal disciplines, all with crucial experience in the sector, dealing with any, and all, issues that might come up and have been essential components to the success of a number of our sports clients over many years.
Integrity Risk Review
When it comes to integrity, it is far better to take a proactive approach to avoiding a crisis. We have the breadth of knowledge and expertise to analyse different areas of a business or operation to ascertain where the key areas of threat and risk are present. Once identified, we are able to support and advise you to ensure that those risks are reduced, or eradicated to avoid adverse exposure. We can conduct a full service review of all areas of your business, or focus on targeted areas.
If you have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, or would like to talk to our team about any other issues you are facing, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Meet the team
- Call Darren +44 (0)20 7438 2284
- Email Darren
- London office
- Call Edward +44 (0)20 7203 5213
- Email Edward
- London office
- Call Stephanie +44(0)20 7438 2291
- Email Stephanie
- London office
- Call Danielle +44 (0)20 7438 2244
- Email Danielle
- London office
Our thinking
Pierre Bydzovsky
Update on FIFA-related proceedings in Switzerland
An update on the TV rights appeal trial for the World Cups and the on-going trial against former FIFA president and former UEFA president.
Simone Sancandi
Sports Arbitration Rules and Roster of Dedicated Arbitrators
The Bahrain Chamber of Disputes Resolution publishes a brand-new set of Sports Arbitration Rules.
Zoe Bowler
“Nobody puts Baby in the corner…”
Keir Gordon
Charles Russell Speechlys celebrates this year’s Sports Technology Awards finalists
The Sports Technology Awards celebrates tech-led innovation in sports, globally.
Jody MacDonald
Liverpool FC’s Hero Club and the current state of play with football NFTs
Liverpool’s Hero Club hit the headlines this week and serves as an interesting reflection of the current state of play.
Pierre Bydzovsky
Rules to be followed by Swiss basketball clubs when hiring players through agents
Swiss clubs that use foreign agents who they know do not have a Swiss employment permit are punishable under criminal law.
Nick White
Social Tokens: What are the regulatory challenges in the UK?
Social tokens are one of the latest innovations in the crypto space and have grown significantly in recent years.
Richard Davies
Richard Davies and Rahim Hirji write for the American Bar Association on tattoos, athletes and image rights
LeBron James. Zlatan Ibrahimović. Mike Tyson. What is the common factor?
Nick White
Sports Business: Five Current Themes
Nick White goes early with his thoughts on this year's Sports Business themes.
Mark Hill
Media & Entertainment - The Changing Landscape in the Middle East #1 - A Few Thoughts
Nick White
What Lloyd v Google means for Project Red Card
Jody MacDonald
ESG in Sport – net zero targets and “coolerplate” clauses
Henry Fea
Property Patter: Dealing with Sporting Rights over Land
Sporting rights can cause issues particularly if they are granted over land which may be developed in the future.
Darren Bailey
Emma Raducanu - "Serving to Unite the Nation" - The Future Protection of Sporting Events of National Interest
Darren Bailey
"The WinnerS Take It All"
In a sports setting, it is most unusual to see so many winners arising out of a decision by a rights holder to share rights.
Daniel McDonagh
Keep Your Enemies Close – Multi-Club Ownership in UEFA Competition
Nick White
Nick White writes for City AM on how City Football Group's multiple ownership model might give Man City an edge in the transfer market post-Brexit
Could a multiple ownership model give clubs an edge in the transfer market post-Brexit?
Nick White
Nick White writes for Intellectual Property Magazine on the ever-expanding role of licensed content within the video gaming industry
Nic Couchman
Nic Couchman quoted by the Sunday Business Post on private equity investment in the sports sector
The growth of sport over time means that the traditional funding sources are no longer sufficient to keep pace with the growth of sport.
Darren Bailey
Darren Bailey quoted by City AM on why a salary cap is unlikely to succeed where Financial Fair Play failed in making European football more competitive
The solution to football’s problems may require more fundamental change.