An ex-Premier League and international footballer-turned solicitor has been appointed as an arbitrator at sport's highest court.
Gareth Farrelly is a litigation and sports lawyer with North West law firm, Bermans, with his legal career following his younger years as a top-flight footballer.
That saw him play for top-flight clubs including Everton, Aston Villa and Bolton, also playing six times for Ireland.
He has now been appointed as a Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) arbitrator, effective from 2019 until 2022, meaning he will settle disputes concerning the decisions of federations, associations or other sports-related bodies on an international level.
CAS is an international quasi-judicial body which settles disputes associated with sport, and has around 300 arbitrators from 87 countries with specialist knowledge.
He said: “I am humbled to be appointed as a Court for Arbitration for Sport Arbitrator – it is an incredible honour.
"I had a case there in 2007 and I always aspired to go back. I look forward to sitting with and learning from the best sports law arbitrators and lawyers in the world.
"I am incredibly grateful to all those that have assisted me along the way.”
According to Bermans, during Mr Farrelly's time are the firm, he has been involved in numerous transfers and disputes concerning current and former players, including a leading CAS case, which resulted in changes being made to the rules.
Mr Farrelly's other main focus at Bermans, which has offices in Liverpool and Manchester , is working with and advising sports people and high net worth individuals on poor advice received on investments and mis-sold financial products including tax avoidance schemes.
Gareth is also a member of the Football Association’s Judicial Panel and sits on both the Chairman’s Panel and the Football Panel.
He is a member of Sports Resolutions’ independent Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators.
