Clifford Chance assembles a robust sports law practice capable of providing clients with a full-service offering spanning major M&A deals, litigation, and regulatory matters. The group supports a wide client base across both football and F1, receiving frequent instructions from a myriad of financial services institutions, football clubs, and athletes. The practice is led by Luis Alonso, a recognised authority in sports law who frequently advises both high-profile investors in sport and pre-eminent football clubs. Fernando Irurzun‘s litigation experience sees him represent clients before both the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the London Court of International Arbitration, often supported by Fernando Giménez-Alvear, while Pablo Murcia is sought after by an array of football clubs for his expertise in corporate and M&A matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Luis Alonso is the star in sports law.’
- ‘The team possesses both technical competence and teamwork.’
- ‘I praise Fernando Irurzun for his rigour, and Luis Alonso for his leadership.’
Key clients
- Real Madrid
- F.C. Barcelona
- The Super League
- A22 Sports
- Futebol Clube do Porto
- Ithaka Partners
- Sixth Street
- Telefónica
- Athletic Club de Bilbao
- Best Eleven
Work highlights
Acting for A22 Sports on the launch of Unify, a new competition fully open and meritocratic, available to all European countries, and the establishment of its innovative digital platform that shall broadcast games for free to fans from all over the world.
Acting for Real Madrid on the financing of Santiago Bernabeu stadium and the partnership between Real Madrid, Legends and Sixth Street for the joint exploitation of certain commercial areas of the stadium.
Acting for The Super League on the various ongoing legal proceedings vs FIFA and UEFA which, pursuant to the groundbreaking decision from the European Court of Justice, already put and end to UEFA's monopoly on the organisation of international club competitions.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Luis Alonso
Other key lawyers
Fernando Irurzun; Eduardo García; Pablo Murcia; Fernando Giménez-Alvear