Chester-based media, sports and litigation practice Manleys has scored another success – this time in winning an appeal for a young footballer charged who was on the receiving end of a sanction following an initial FA disciplinary hearing at which the player (who cannot be named for legal reasons) was charged with making a racist comment during a league match last season.
Manleys filed grounds of appeal alleging that (1) the original decision was Wednesbury unreasonable – that is – that no other tribunal would have come to the same decision on the facts and evidence, and secondly, that the player did not receive a fair hearing. Mark Manley, Managing Director of Manleys represented the player at the appeal hearing. He said: “The player and his family are naturally very pleased that the appeal succeeded, and the sanction entirely lifted. The player accordingly considers himself exonerated. This was a very serious disciplinary charge with lasting reputational consequences for the player had the first instance decision not been overturned. These cases are never easy not least because the appropriate regulations in the FA Handbook need careful navigation. Prior to the hearing, the imposition of the sanction ruled the player out of an important Final. We also appealed that decision successfully to enable him to play in the match, which his team also won. So success on and off the pitch!”
Manleys represents sportsmen and women in many sports in privacy, reputation management, contractual and other dispute resolution matters. The firm has enjoyed successes in previous cases before FIFA Arbitration panels and FA Rule K cases.