• Lead counsel for Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027

• Advised on hosting of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFC Champions League matches and Spanish Super Cup

• Key legal advisor on restructuring and privatisation of major clubs

Lysaght Sports provides proven expertise and support to federations and government ministries bidding to host major competitions and undertake transformative sports projects. As lead lawyer, Barry Lysaght played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 for the first time in its history. He also advised on hosting a range of major events including FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFC Champions League matches and the Spanish Super Cup final.

Barry has also advised on the privatisation and restructuring of world-famous clubs, the implemention of club licensing programmes, the establishment of players’ unions and the launch of new teams and competitions. Barry was central to the delivery of multiple projects of this type for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation which have elevated the country’s standing on the global football stage.

Whether preparing a hosting bid or undertaking an important new project, Lysaght Sports draws on experience at the pinnacle of world sport to guide clients safely through every stage of the process, helping them achieve their objectives and create an enduring legacy.

• Expertise in FIFA regulations governing transfers, player status and agents

• Transfer market expert with extensive experience at FIFA TMS

• Trusted advisor to major football federations and clubs worldwide

• Drafted contracts for elite footballers and national team coaches

From drafting transfer agreements and employment contracts to navigating complex issues like agent regulations and training reward entitlements, Lysaght Sports provides expert guidance on all aspects of the transfer process.

As a key figure in regulating FIFA's USD 10 billion global transfer market, Barry Lysaght has helped guide some of the world’s leading clubs and federations. Barry also brings hands-on experience in implementing the FIFA Football Agent Regulations, helping clients to stay compliant in a rapidly-evolving legal landscape.

As General Counsel to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Barry developed the standard player employment contract now in use at the Saudi Pro League by some of the world’s most famous footballers. Barry has also drafted contracts for senior national team coaches, technical directors and coaching staff.

Lysaght Sports draws on regulatory expertise, market knowledge and technical skill honed at the highest levels of international sport. We apply these strengths to help clients maintain a strategic edge in the transfer market while complying with their regulatory obligations.

• 12+ years advising global, continental and national sports regulatory bodies

• Key contributor to major regulatory amendments in football and motorsport

• Drafted rules for new competitions, including eligibility criteria and financial sustainability frameworks

Lysaght Sports specialises in drafting and advising on the regulatory frameworks that underpin effective sports governance. From crafting regulations for major new competitions (including the AFC Champions League Elite) to advising on historic initiatives such as the FIA Formula One Financial Regulations, Barry Lysaght has played a key role in shaping many of the rules and codes that define modern sport.

A trusted expert in the regulation of football, Barry is particularly experienced in advising on FIFA’s rules and regulations. Barry has led workshops on this subject worldwide, counselling key footballing decision-makers on complex topics such as multiple club ownership, player transfers and third party influence/ownership.

At Lysaght Sports, we work closely with our clients, applying our extensive experience at global, continental and national governing bodies to help them navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with confidence and precision.

Whether launching new competitions or updating existing rules, Lysaght Sports delivers the proven expertise and strategic insight needed to help governing bodies achieve their regulatory objectives.

• Experienced advocate before international sports arbitration bodies

• Lead disciplinary lawyer for major sports federations

• Served as Deputy Secretary to AFC disciplinary and appeal committees

• Solicitor admitted to the Superior Courts of Ireland, England and Wales

• Member of multiple sporting judicial bodies

At Lysaght Sports, our advice is grounded in our extensive experience of disciplinary and dispute resolution procedures at the highest levels of world sport.

Barry Lysaght has defended senior international footballers in FIFA disciplinary cases, guided clubs through complex contractual disputes and represented federations before sports arbitration bodies. As Deputy Secretary to the AFC judicial committees, Barry led disciplinary investigations and prosecutions for major club and international competitions such as the AFC Champions League and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

Barry’s work in sports arbitration cases, including contributions to matters before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the FIA International Court of Appeal, has led to successful outcomes in cases reported on by CNN and the BBC.

Barry also serves as a judge on several sporting judicial committees, augmenting his advice to clients with valuable insights into decision-making procedures at the highest levels of sport.

Whether you are an organisation bringing a case to the CAS or an individual appealing a governing body ruling, Lysaght Sports delivers the trusted advocacy, focus and subject matter expertise necessary to protect your interests at every stage of the arbitration process.

• Led successful governance reforms at major sports federations

• Drafted statute amendments to align with best international standards

• Conducted governance risk analyses for new and emerging sports

Having served as lead governance lawyer at major organisations such as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Barry Lysaght provides expert guidance on good governance drawn from the highest levels of world sport.

Barry led the transformation of the statutes of the SAFF to include a range of progressive new measures. He also spearheaded good governance initiatives such as launching a whistleblowing platform, the creation of the first-ever Saudi Footballers’ Association and the publication of transparency reports.

As Head of Sports Legal and Governance at the AFC, Barry guided member associations across Asia through high-stakes governance challenges and advised on constitutional reforms to promote good governance and accountability.

Whether conducting governance reviews, drafting statute amendments or guiding you through a constitutional crisis, Lysaght Sports provides the top-level expertise needed to implement meaningful reforms, build stakeholder trust and safeguard organisational readiness.

• Acted as lead counsel on multi-million-dollar sponsorship agreements

• Advisor to sports federations on wide variety of commercial partnerships

• Experience includes broadcasting, ticketing and team kit contracts

Lysaght Sports provides support in negotiating and drafting commercial agreements of all kinds, protecting clients’ interests while helping maximise the value of their partnerships.

Drawing on our experience in helping major federations to navigate their rights under existing contracts as well as guiding their entry into new partnerships, Lysaght Sports delivers proven excellence in drafting and negotiation to help clients enhance or revitalise their brand.

Barry Lysaght’s expertise includes drafting commercial and intellectual property agreements across both traditional and digital sports. Barry works closely with client commercial teams to deliver practical advice, providing clarity, confidence and precision in even the most complex of negotiations.

Whether acting as an extension of your in-house team or serving you as an exclusive advisor, Lysaght Sports delivers proven and pragmatic commercial legal expertise grounded in an understanding of your specific needs.

• Over a decade of experience at world’s leading sports federations

• Trusted advisor in governance, strategy and member relations for emerging sports

• Counsel to international and national governing bodies for minority sports

With over a decade in lead legal roles at some of the world’s biggest sports governing bodies, Barry Lysaght draws on elite-level expertise in providing bespoke solutions for smaller federations governing new and emerging sports.

Conscious of the particular challenges that apply to federations seeking to establish and develop their sports, Lysaght Sports helps clients align their structures with international best practices in governance and strategy, laying strong foundations for sustainable growth while helping them navigate their journey to AIMS recognition and Olympic membership.

Lysaght Sports brings an informed and pragmatic understanding of the specific needs of smaller sport associations. Responsive and collaborative, we work closely with our clients to help develop their sports through good governance and effective regulation.

• Elite-level expertise in safeguarding integrity of AFC Asian Cup, AFC Champions League and Saudi Pro League

• Advisor on regulatory, disciplinary and educational strategies to combat match-fixing

• Led governance reviews to enhance organisational resilience

Integrity is the cornerstone of fair sport, making the fight against match-fixing, bribery and corruption essential to its credibility. With experience in safeguarding integrity at the highest levels of world sport, Lysaght Sports delivers informed advice to governing bodies on prevention, prosecution and case management.

Barry Lysaght’s work includes advising on risk management strategies, delivering training workshops on integrity matters and reviewing client regulatory structures to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose.

When infringements occur, Barry guides clients carefully through every stage of the disciplinary process, from investigation to final decision.

Barry’s expertise, honed through spearheading integrity initiatives at major sports bodies, empowers his clients with the structures and know-how they need to tackle integrity challenges on and off the field, safeguarding both their sport and their reputation.

• Top-level experience in anti-doping disciplinary procedures across football and motorsport

• Lead anti-doping lawyer for Formula 1, AFC Asian Cup and AFC Champions League

• Member of the Anti-Doping Tribunal of the IPC

Doping remains a serious threat to the integrity of competition, the career prospects of athletes and the credibility of sport. With experience in managing anti-doping programmes at major international governing bodies, Barry Lysaght guides clients through the complexities of anti-doping regulations and procedures, providing clarity and trusted advice.

As lead lawyer for anti-doping at the FIA and the AFC, Barry managed investigations, disciplinary proceedings and compliance initiatives for some of the biggest competitions in world sport. Barry’s expertise includes drafting and enforcing anti-doping regulations, overseeing complex cases from testing to adjudication and advising on best practices for prevention and compliance.

As a judge on the Anti-Doping Tribunal of the International Paralympic Committee, Barry also brings valuable insights into the adjudication of such matters at international level, ensuring that clients benefit from advice that reflects both regulatory and procedural excellence.

In addition to advising on disciplinary procedures, Lysaght Sports also assists governing bodies with rule development, compliance monitoring and strengthening all facets of their anti-doping programmes.

For athletes and support personnel, we advise and support on how to meet testing obligations, respond to adverse findings and navigate disciplinary procedures. Lysaght Sports also offers specialised training and education sessions on anti-doping rules.

Whether you are an athlete, an official or a federation, Lysaght Sports is on your side, drawing on our expertise in anti-doping at the highest level to help to protect your interests.

• Key role in drafting FIA Formula One Financial Regulations

• Advisor to Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport on creation of Financial Efficiency Regulations

• Responsible for financial compliance in USD 10bn global football transfer market

Effective financial regulation is essential to ensuring sustainability and competitiveness in sport. Drawing on our experience working with government ministries, federations and other key stakeholders, Lysaght Sports guides clients through the increasingly complex financial control systems of modern sport.

Barry Lysaght has advised on numerous transformative financial frameworks, including the FIA Formula One Financial Regulations which introduced a pioneering regulatory system designed to maintain competitive balance in motorsport’s USD 3.2 billion flagship competition.

Barry also played a key role in developing the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport’s Financial Efficiency Regulations, which strengthened financial accountability and transparency across all Saudi sports clubs.

In addition, he led a team at FIFA tasked with regulating the financial compliance of football clubs worldwide in the USD 10 billion transfer market.

Whether you are seeking to better understand your financial sustainability obligations or are implementing new cost control regulations, Lysaght Sports provides the clear, incisive and practical advice needed to ensure financial compliance and efficiency while advancing your strategic goals.

• Delivered FIFA regulatory workshops to federations and clubs worldwide

• Speaker at international sports law events and educational programmes

• Unique experience at global, continental and national governing bodies

• Published author in leading sports law journals

With experience leading FIFA legal workshops across the globe, Barry Lysaght specialises in delivering interactive training and education seminars that equip clients with the regulatory knowledge they need to thrive.

In recent years, Barry has addressed events hosted by institutions such as the Law Society of Ireland, the British Association for Sport and Law and the International Football Business Institute. His clear and personable style ensures that even the most complex of topics are delivered in an engaging and accessible manner.

Barry’s professional experience at global, continental and national sports governing bodies enriches his presentations with unique perspectives and insights. Lysaght Sports offers training in English or French.

Whether contributing to in-house professional development or addressing member federations and clubs, Lysaght Sports delivers tailor-made training material to empower clients with the legal know-how they need.

To learn more about Barry’s experience in this area, visit ‘Speaking’.