Bringing It Home: What My Time in Europe Taught Me About Sport, Law, and What Comes Next for Australia

it’s a rare employer who supports their newly admitted solicitor to take a sabbatical overseas— to explore new professional opportunities, work on their own business, and return with fresh insights and renewed purpose. But that’s exactly what Bobbi Campbell and the team at Synergy Law did for me. At the end of last year, I had the opportunity to study and work at the coalface of some of the most pressing legal and policy developments in global sport at FIFPRO, the global representative body for professional footballers. As a professional athlete turned lawyer and consultant, those experiences offered a unique lens into how different jurisdictions view and treat athletes. It also gave me the time to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and where Australia might draw lessons as we grapple with the future of sport and athletes’ welfare. 

One of the first major cases I encountered while in Europe was the Lassana Diarra decision in the European Court of Justice (ECJU). For context: Diarra had signed a four-year playing contract with a Russian club in 2013. The relationship soured, and he left early. The club then terminated his contract and brought a claim to FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC), alleging he had breached FIFAs Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) by leaving "without just cause." The DRC found in favour of the club, prompting Diarra to bring his case before the national courts. 

Under FIFA’s rules, such a breach can carry serious financial and sporting consequences for the player and any future club. But the ECJU ruled that this restrictive framework breached EU law by unjustifiably limiting workers' freedom of movement and restricting competition. The fallout? Chaos, urgent reform calls, and—for the first time—open dialogue between FIFA and stakeholders to amend Article 17 of the RSTP. 

It might sound far removed from Australian sport, but similar dynamics are playing out here. Codes like the AFL are already adapting regulations to respond to legal, commercial, and social realities. Take for example, recent rule changes around tackling aimed at protecting players, and limiting legal liability. The key takeaway: proactive regulation is essential. If you wait until you're forced to change, it is likely already too late. 

The Diarra judgment wasn’t the only significant legal development during my time in Europe. Almost as soon as I walked into the FIFPRO offices in Hoofddorp, I learned about a complaint lodged by FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues, and LaLiga against FIFA. The complaint alleges that FIFA’s unilateral imposition of the international match calendar amounts to an abuse of dominance and a failure to consult on matters that directly affect players’ careers and livelihoods. 

The message from athletes and their representative bodies is clear: they want – and deserve – a seat at the table when decisions are being made that impact them. 

In Australia, similar tensions are emerging. Athletes are increasingly calling for reviews into issues like team culture, selection policies, and gender equality. New Zealand, facing comparable challenges, appears to be a few steps ahead – particularly in commissioning investigations and acting on their recommendations. A striking example is Yachting New Zealand’s 2023 review, which uncovered systemic issues around transparency, perceived favouritism, athlete wellbeing, and outdated leadership structures. 

The question is no longer if athletes should be consulted. It’s how. 

I also saw firsthand the disconnect between written policy and lived experience. A beautifully worded maternity policy is meaningless if it isn’t understood, implemented, and felt at every level of the sport. This was clear when I delivered player presentations at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League. Many professional players weren’t even aware of the mandatory maternity regulations introduced by FIFA in 2021, and certainly didn’t see them reflected in their day-to-day realities. 

One of the biggest governance risks facing Australian sporting organisations today is ensuring that policies aren’t just adopted—they're actively embedded. With increasing legislative requirements particularly around issues including safeguarding and whistleblower protections and a growing link between policy compliance and government funding, the consequences of falling short are both reputational and financial. Take for example the categorisation of sporting organisations based on the Australian Sports Commission Sports Governance Standards or the Australia government's announcement last year of a new policy that will ensure sporting boardrooms across the country meet gender equity targets or risk funding being withheld.  Governance and integrity can't live on paper alone. 

I also had the opportunity to complete a Sports Corruption and Investigations course at the Católica Global School of Law in Libson. What became clear is that corruption in sport is evolving. It is now more sophisticated than dirty syringes and dodgy backroom deals. It is becoming embedded in systems, global in nature, and increasingly enabled by technology. From criminal syndicates to vulnerable athletes, the challenges we face are more complex and harder to detect. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t a distant threat that Australia can simply observe and learn from abroad. It’s already here. Just last year, Football Australia suspended several Macarthur FC players following allegations of involvement in an A-League betting scandal. Sport Integrity Australia’s new CEO, Sarah Benson, has also flagged match-fixing, organised crime, and online abuse as some of the most pressing threats to Australian sport—suggesting these will become key policy priorities in the near future. 

Now more than ever, sporting organisations need to be proactive—regularly scanning the horizon, investing early, and building the skills and systems needed to detect and deter corruption before it gains too much momentum. 

My time in Europe was eye-opening—and energising. I am coming back to Synergy Law with a greater sense of where our profession can make the biggest impact in Australian sport, and how we can support organisations not only to navigate the challenges of today but also to help futureproof their systems for what’s coming next. 

I am excited to get back to work. And very grateful for the team at Synergy Group that made this growth possible.