Louis Weston acts pro bono for Spain rugby player in FER appeal

An Independent Appeal Committee has upheld a decision relating to breaches of player eligibility in an appeal lodged by the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER). Louis Weston acted pro bono to advise the accused rugby player who was subject to the allegations of fraud and dishonesty.

Louis Weston, Head of the OTC Sports Law Group, acted pro bono along with Olivia Amos of Northridge Law. They advised a rugby player who was subject to allegations of fraud and dishonesty by the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER), in it’s appeal against the decision of World Rugby’s Judicial Committee to dock points for fielding an ineligible player in World Cup Qualification. 

On the appeal FER, having contested the opposite at first instance when the player was a party to proceedings, alleged he was complicit in tampering with a photocopy of his passport to show a longer period of residence in Spain.  The Player was contemporaneously subject to criminal and civil claims in Spain, and having lost the protection of the FER was without legal resource or the means for it needed independent advice. The Decision is of obvious significance for FER who do not go to the World Cup.

A case summary was published by World Rugby. You can view this here.

Find out more:

Louis Weston is sports lawyer with a successful and established practice in Sports Regulation, Governance, Disciplinary Cases, Safeguarding and Anti-Doping.

He has a particular interest in commercial disputes and claims arising from sport and involving complex factual issues. He joined Chambers in April 2019 to continue and develop his practice in Sports Law, Commercial Litigation and Professional Negligence.

Louis has been ranked as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for many years and acts and advises Sports Governing Bodies and Players in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

He is a hugely experienced advocate, greatly enjoys his work and is tireless in his pursuit of his client’s objectives. He accepts instructions on a Direct Access basis in appropriate cases.

To find out more, contact Paul Barton on +44 (0)20 7427 4907 or Ben Fitzgerald +44 (0)203 758 4759 for a confidential discussion.

News, Sports 27 Jun, 2022