No 5 Ridgefield, Manchester, M2 6EG
| Telephone: | +44 (0)161 830 4710 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)161 830 4711 |
| E-mail: |
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Before co-forming IPS Law, Chris spent a number of years working for national law firms, where he worked exclusively in the area of Sports law and Media law.
Chris has advised professional Football Clubs in the UK, Europe and South America, has represented a number of high profile sporting individuals and sports agents and has advised upon a number of specialist sports facilities and high profile product endorsements.
Chris’ notable recent experience includes:
- Advising a number of Premiership football clubs on intellectual property contracts, player transfers and contract renegotiations, delivering benefit to both sporting individuals and the clubs for which they play;
- Advising on the Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko transfers;
- Advising in relation to the appointment of England manager Fabio Cappello and Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni
- Advising a number of leading Premiership football clubs on intellectual property contracts, player transfers and contract renegotiations, delivering benefit to both sporting individuals and the clubs for which they play;
- Advising leading international players including Roberto Carlos, Kleberson, Fabio Cannavaro and Gabriel Batistuta;
- Advising on the Michael Ballack and Adriy Shevchenko transfers;
- Advising Premiership players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson, Paolo Di Canio, David Bentley, James Beattie, Micah Richards, Giovanni, Shay Given, Jermaine Jenas, Craig Bellamy, Johnny Evans, Michael Johnson, Jussi Jaaskelianen, Yakubu, Nuno Valente, Steven Davis and Paul Robinson
- Advising various Premier League managers including Juande Ramos;
- Advising a number of high profile footballers and agents on potential claims against national newspapers for defamation, including advising Harry Kewell in relation to a defamation action following his transfer from Leeds United to Liverpool;
- Advising Rugby Union and Rugby League players in disputes with their sports associations;
- Advising a Rugby League club in relation to its stadium relocation;
- Advising a Rugby League club in relation to its shirt sponsorship deal;
- Adviser a Guinness Premiership Rugby club in relation to its intellectual property licences;
- Advising a leading Ryder Cup golfer in relation his image rights, as well as major sponsorship deals;
- Advising Michelle Veroken, formerly head of the UK's drug testing body;
- Advising Seria A and Brazilian football clubs, including advising Juventus in relation to their sponsorship deal with Tamoil which, at the time the agreement was entered into, was the world's largest shirt sponsorship deal in history;
- Advising Premiership football clubs on their technical kit endorsements;
- Advising a leading Premiership Football Club in relation to Trade mark and domain name infringements;
- Advising a well known entertainer in relation to the formation of a production company and the licensing and exploitation of broadcast rights;
- Advising an ex-world heavyweight boxing champion in relation to various endorsement agreements;
- Advising two leading international players on their endorsement contracts with a world leading drinks manufacturer;
- Advising a leading Premier League manager on an endorsement contract with a world leading credit card;
- Advising on a significant number of high profile Arbitration cases;
- Representing Premiership football clubs in a number of high profile cases at FIFA,
- Advising on a number of international contracts with leading football players regarding their intellectual property rights.
Chris lectures on sports matters on a regular basis, including lecturing on Image Rights at the FIFA Master Class 2006 in Switzerland and Soccer Ex 2006 in Dubai. Chris has also written articles for publication in the national press and appeared on TV and radio to provide commentary and analysis on sporting legal matters.
Chris Farnell
Direct Line: 0161 830 4710
Email: info@ipslaw.co.uk
