SPFL appoints new legal advisers

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today announced the appointment of a new team of in-house and external legal advisers.

Following the tender process, Rod McKenzie (pictured) has been appointed as legal counsel to the SPFL, joining the league in a part-time in-house capacity.

The SPFL has also appointed four firms of solicitors to create a panel of external legal advisors, each of which will deliver specialist expertise to the SPFL. The panel will consist of Brabners LLP, Fladgate LLP, gunnercooke LLP and Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP.

Mr McKenzie said: “When I was retiring from Harper Macleod it was of importance to me to continue my relationship of almost 20 years with the SPL/SPFL, the last 16 years of which has been as its principal legal adviser.

“This appointment has enabled me to continue the work I have been undertaking for the League and I am grateful to the SPFL Board for allowing me this exciting opportunity at what is a critical time for the game in Scotland.”

Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, said: “I would like to thank the team at Harper Macleod for their advice over the past 20 years. I am looking forward to working with a new team of legal advisers, which includes some of the best legal minds in sports law from across the UK.”

Maurice Watkins CBE, senior partner of Brabners LLP, added: “We are delighted with the news of our appointment to the SPFL’s new panel of legal services providers. We are very much looking forward to working with the SPFL board, the executive team and the entire organisation at this very interesting and exciting time.”