The Bribery Act came into force in July and some clubs are worried about its possible impact on them. This is not a reference to payments or hospitality to the officials or even the players of the opposing team, which have not been unknown in countries such as Italy, but to the implications of the legislation for corporate hospitality at games. In these difficult times clubs do not want any threats to an important income stream that helps to keep them afloat.
The Bribery Act came into force in July and some clubs are worried about its possible impact on them. This is not a reference to payments or hospitality to the officials or even the players of the opposing team, which have not been unknown in countries such as Italy, but to the implications of the legislation for corporate hospitality at games. In these difficult times clubs do not want any threats to an important income stream that helps to keep them afloat.
At Charlton Athletic some corporate clients have indicated that they consider that the new regulations prevent them from using matchday hospitality as a way of retaining clients and generating new business opportunities. Charlton were keen to correct that impression and contacted m’ learned friends and what they found out is good news for other clubs.
Writing in the programme for Monday’s match against Huddersfield Town, Charlton chief executive Stephen Kavanagh said, ‘We have received extensive legal advice from commercial law specialists Butcher Burns LLP, and there is nothing preventing employees or companies from entertaining clients at matches, and we would urge any company who believes otherwise to speak Butcher Burns.
Indeed, the Butcher Burns commercial team was enjoying matchday hospitality in the club’s Millenium Suite that evening as Charlton overcame the unbeaten record of the Terriers. They were able to enjoy the experience secure in the knowledge that they were on the right side of the law.
Alex Levinger, a solicitor in the Butcher Burns legal team, commented: ‘The laws are not intended to prevent genuine hospitality or similar business expenditure that is reasonable and proportionate, and honestly motivated by creating a business opportunity or maintaining a relationship. For example, it is perfectly rational to provide tickets to clients for sporting events if it is reasonable and proportionate to the business.’