Leading Sports Lawyer. Author ‘Football & the Law’. Host of Sports Law Podcast. Also passionate Photographer, Podcaster, Foodie, Winemaker, Artist & QPR fan.
So apparently I am a top ‘legal influencer’. According to a report published today, I am ranked number 4 overall in the top 20 UK influential barristers on LinkedIn.
I confess I don’t use LinkedIn quite as much as some other social media (Instagram /
Black Velvet. When Newcastle takeover deal done in principle. Celebrated privately with black & white cocktail. Now can do so openly. Been a long ride, but I’m so pleased for NUFC & its fans. Hope this marks start of a wonderful new era. Looking forward to a match at SJP soon!
If anyone accuses me of being a glory hunter fan, when
#NUFC
become even more successful, I’ll say I adopted them as a second team when I realised what a devoted, passionate, funny, curious & warm fan base they have while I was doing some work for them.
Great so far from
#NUFC
. Two of my best clients & favourite clubs in the PL, who have both played such good football this year.
I tried to be impartial but, as much as I love Brighton & often stay nearby, in the same apartment building as one of their best players, I can’t hide
Congratulations to my favourite PL club. Predicted a while back they’d finish in the top half & that’s beginning to look likely. Either way, a great second half of the season.
Looking forward to coming up to Newcastle next week to watch the Everton game - which can properly now be described as a 6-pointer. Hope it’s a good match and 3 points for Newcastle.
Just after the third goal went in at Newcastle tonight. A great atmosphere and feels like the second half of the season will be good. Glad to be back up, and hope to visit again soon.
#NUFC
Ended up having dinner with David Ginola and a few others last night- great company & interesting conversation rounding off a special day in Newcastle.
#newcastle
#selfie
Delighted to have successfully represented Celtic captain Scott Brown in his case before the Scottish FA today - now looking forward to watching him play at the match tomorrow
#Celtic
#SFA
#ScottBrown
Delighted to have assisted Sheffield Wednesday in this case. I hope one day to be able to write about the decisions but won’t comment further now until the reasons are published. Good luck for the rest of the season
#SWFC
Had a meeting with NUFC today at the Emirates & joining them to watch the
#FACup
tie v Arsenal now. First behind closed doors match I’ve attended, & first game since end of Feb ‘20. Hope it’s a good old fashioned cup tie!
It was my privilege to represent Ivan Toney in the recent FA betting case. Ivan is a great homegrown player who I’m sure will continue to have the most incredible future, he’s also a really nice guy.
I continue to be concerned about the huge contradiction in football - with
Early Xmas present. Just heard I am appointed a QC! Never thought when left school at 16, became film/tv worker, TU activist finally nightclub doorman to get through law school as mature student that 1 day would have those letters after my name. Always grateful for good fortune!
A truly gorgeous winter sunny morning in the city of bridges. So glad I gave myself a couple of hours, with a couple of Ricoh GRs, to capture the beautiful light this morning before getting the train back down south.
#newcastle
#selfie
#bridge
Last Newcastle post for today. Atmosphere at SJP was very special & showed me how much the club means to the city. The most moving part, though, was when fans alerted players who alerted officials to stop the match due to the medical emergency in the stands.Great community spirit
With Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, after they just beat Rangers in the big Old Firm derby. I successfully represented Brendan earlier in the season, meaning he could be on the touchline for the reverse fixture at Ibrox recently, so it was good to catch up.
#celtic
Delighted for
#nffc
deserved Premier League survival!
For professional reasons I have avoided speaking about the PSR cases I acted in the Club in.
But two things strike me now the season is over.
First, it’s worth recalling the PL originally said the starting point for the
At Wembley for my first League Cup Final. Of course I’m supporting Newcastle, not because of the case I did, or the fact they have done so well, but because of their extraordinary fans, and the incredible welcome they give. Met some familiar faces on the way
#nufc
#football
After well over 25 years together, Ripon & I finally formalised things in a very small & short ceremony at Hackney Town Hall, with just our next door neighbours as witnesses (who kindly took this photo). Back to work now, will celebrate later & if I’m lucky for another 25 years
Just woke up to see such lovely greetings on my birthday. Thank you so much - I shall never forget the Newcastle case, but especially the warmth & humour of the fans. Always look out for the results.
A VERY happy birthday to the man that led the fight to get to the promised land of our takeover Nick De Marco
YOU LEGEND 🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍
#NUFC
#NUFCFans
#Newcastle
#throwbackthursday
one of the many photo montages Newcastle fans made during the case. Couldn’t comment on them at the time but they often raised a laugh. So many different ones I must try and put them all together one day
#nufc
#newcastle
Wonderful atmosphere & final score at
#nufc
today. Thanks very much
@ghodoussi
& Amanda Staveley for your generous hospitality to Ripon and me today. A great day
#nufc
A link with Newcastle & my family. The Marcantonio family, cousins of the De Marcos from Picinisco in Italy, settled their Italian ice cream business in Newcastle & I’m glad to find it’s still there. Another place I must visit one day:
#IceCream
Of all the bridges in Newcastle I think the High Level is the most photogenic. Ripon & I had the best time here, welcomed by so many lovely people, from the Ginola night Friday to the Chairman’s suite at the match yesterday. Couldn’t have been a more friendly & enjoyable weekend.
As I hope people will understand, for professional reasons I have been and remain unable to comment on this case, or even confirm my involvement until now. All I can do is refer to the public statement just made by my client, Nottingham Forest FC.
Happy Easter! It’s been such a busy year I’m really hoping for a couple of days off over the weekend. Time to enjoy a beer in the garden, specially chosen to wish good luck to Newcastle who should beat Spurs on Sunday.
#easter
#beer
#selfie
1/2
Newcastle and Palace are both good clients so this is a difficult one for me but, given the points at stake etc it has to be good luck
#NUFC
for 3 points or second best both teams share the points
#NEWCRY
The most obvious flaw of Rick Parry’s ‘Project Big Picture’ is that by locking in for ever the power & control of the ‘big 6’ the competition would become so degraded & predictable that it would lose its unique appeal, and in turn the broadcasting revenue the clubs depend on.
As an ‘adopted Geordie’ I’m deeply honoured that Ripon & I have been invited to join the Newcastle council executives for the Estates Gazette Annual Awards dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel tonight where the city is nominated for City of the Year. Good luck Newcastle!
#newcastle
Watching the story about Cpt. Tom Moore & You’ll Never Walk Again Song reminded me of one of the greatest live atmospheres I’ve ever experienced - on my visit to Celtic Park last year
#Celtic
#youllneverwalkalone
#neverwalkalone
Just watching evening news in Italy & it was all Tonali &
#nufc
- they were playing Geordies singing ‘I wanna dance with Tonali’ - expect there to be a new generation of young Italian NUFC fans if this goes on.
Well done
#NUFC
! Great to get all 3 points. Hopefully the others will do well now and
#QPR
of course on Monday (even though they are playing another current good client).
No QPR today, so good luck to good clients Newcastle, Palace, Fulham, Celtic, Derby, Wednesday & Forest - hope you all get some points this afternoon
#football
No QPR today, so good luck to good clients Newcastle, Palace, Fulham, Celtic, Derby, Wednesday & Forest - hope you all get some points this afternoon
#football
@NCSL1892
That’s very kind Keith. Likewise. I was only doing my job, you and so many others were doing what you do because you love your club. Well done you and I’m delighted for all of you with this result.
Chuffed to be ranked tier 1 Sports Law QC with “best working knowledge of the football regulatory landscape of the barristers at the Bar and has built a good practice for himself in that space” in today’s
#legal500
and for ranking of all my colleagues at
@BlackstoneChbrs
2/ Although the dispute with the Premier League was hard fought I think the result is best for it too - helping to seal its reputation as the best and most competitive/exciting league in the world. Imagine if we missed the chance of investment & allowed another league to get it.
Has it really been 3 years already? How time flies when you are enjoying yourself.
I was privileged to get to know Amanda &
@ghodoussi
& be their guest for some matches. Lovely couple & hope they go on to further exciting adventures.
Had a great time
In Glasgow Friday & Saturday- and a very warm welcome from so many up there - with spectacular weather & a great atmosphere at Celtic. But I have been pulled up by many for making an error showing my age & fact I’m from down south. Don’t worry, I’ve learnt my
With Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, after they just beat Rangers in the big Old Firm derby. I successfully represented Brendan earlier in the season, meaning he could be on the touchline for the reverse fixture at Ibrox recently, so it was good to catch up.
#celtic
Well that must win the prize for the shortest ever European football competition!
A good example of how not to play a hand, but also how central football is to society. Yet the economic & social forces that led to this fiasco will cause other fundamental changes in the future.
Newcastle United News: Maguire - De Marco holds key to PL legal battle
Thanks for such kind words,
@KieranMaguire
- I’m going to have to buy you a drink or two when we are finally allowed back into the pubs!
If true, this proposal is likely to be very controversial among majority of EPL clubs. Why would the majority of clubs vote to deprive themselves of any future say? Can’t see it getting off the ground.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Rick Parry: 'They [big PL clubs] are frustrated that they get outvoted ... how can Huddersfield have the same vote as Man United?' The EFL chairman on his mission with Liverpool & Manchester United to reshape the English game
Good luck tonight in the Cup, QPR - have a sneaking suspicion that a larger than normal proportion of my Twitter followers will be cheering on the Rs tonight!
#QPR
#QPRSUN
Congratulations Celtic winning the Scottish Premiership in style. I was lucky to be there to see them beat Rangers on Saturday- and experience the electric atmosphere once more.
#celtic
A pleasure, as ever, to represent Celtic FC and Brendan at today’s hearing. I’m looking forward to getting back up to watch a match at Celtic Park soon again.
#Celtic
Careful to keep an open mind, but given serious allegations have been made that the administration of Wigan may be part of a greater fraud & league-fixing illegal betting scandal, I cannot see how the EFL can allow the 12-point deduction without further investigation.1/4
#Wigan
I’m sorry I can’t talk about this case due to my work, but surely nobody who cares about football will want to allow one of our most historic clubs, one of the 12 founder members of the Football League, to be forced into extinction.
Derby County deserve punishment for the excesses of the Mel Morris era. But they don’t deserve to die - which could happen. That’s why fans like
@jimmym
calling on all
#dcfcfans
to write to their MP urging intervention. All clubs are worth fighting for.
#SaveDerby
#dcfc
I just binned my Sky Sport subscription-
£18 per month on top of everything else & two nights running when I try & watch a bit of a PL match during dinner it says I have to upgrade to another package.
Rip off. Will stick to MOTD & the radio commentary
With David Ginola - last night after his excellent talk with Pete Graves in Newcastle - David really is one of the most engaging, thought provoking & amusing people in football to listen to.. A great night & lovely to see so many
#nufc
fans
@teamginola
@NUFC
@PeteGravesTV
Delighted to be ranked band 1 for Sports QCs in Chambers- thanks clients for kind words: "widely held reputation for being the foremost expert on football regulatory issues” “gives very sound advice and is a very approachable individual” “His breadth of knowledge is outstanding."
Delighted for Derby County. The idea of any points deduction, let alone a retrospective one, was a nonsense in the circumstances. The full written reasons of the DC make clear why any points deduction would be wholly disproportionate and I urge anyone interested to read them.
After a long day dealing with various football cases I managed to leave my wallet, and all cards in the back of a London taxi. Didn’t notice it (paid with phone). Had dinner, sat to watch the TV and hour or so later driver rang on my bell with said wallet, saving me a world of
Over the moon to be ranked in leading QCs in sport category 1 in this year’s Legal 500 after only 2 years of taking silk: “Nick De Marco QC - Blackstone Chambers ‘Has become one of the best (if not the best) sports advocates in the industry’. ”
#Legal500
Imagine the criticism of Putin’s Russia if some sports (not news) commentator on state TV criticised the war in Ukraine in a social media post outside work & was suddenly pulled of TV, forbidden from commenting on football. Or anywhere else. The BBC is an absolute embarrassment
Been working so hard this week - 50h already and it’s only Thursday - feel like a cheeky Negroni while cooking. I’m lucky to have so much work in difficult times & that there seems so much sports law around. Never had so many hearings as this autumn. But love to have a day off!
@JolyonMaugham
I’m lucky enough to earn enough for my tax to go up under Labour, & I’d much rather pay more for a better & fairer society for all than have more money for myself at the expense of a further broken & unequal society. UK is the most unequal county in Europe, that needs to change.
Terribly sad news about the untimely early death of Glenn Roeder. I remember when I used to stand behind the goal at the Loft end as a boy and he was captain of QPR and always gave 100% performances- a fans’ favourite.
💙
#QPR
are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former captain Glenn Roeder.
All our thoughts are with Glenn’s family and friends.
Rest in peace, Glenn.
The latest
#NUFC
Matters T-Shirt raising funds for
@nufcfoodbank
thanks to
@nickdemarco_
for allowing us to use his image! Get bidding below. Winner announced on Friday 14th :)
So much respect to England - the best English side I’ve seen in my life. They gave my Italy I good run for the money and in other years they would have won. I know I’m biased but Italy were the better team and I’m delighted we won, but England took them right to the wire.
As lawyers we learn the importance of preparation in everything & the risks of doing things on the fly. Rudy Giuliani’s cheap instant hair dye melt provides an excellent visual lesson & accompaniment to the quality of his legal submissions
#RudyGiuliani
Siamo arrivati! Standing on my drive by the Cyprus trees we planted, finally back at my paradise after 1.5 years.
The house & vineyard are beautiful & the olive trees look healthy. I am almost crying, so happy to be back after so long.
#italy
#selfie
#picinisco
I often think I earn too much - despite working v. hard, & being a leader in my field - when I relate it to what others earnit’s hard to justify. Then I just heard about Love Island runner up & ‘social influencer’ Molly Mae earns £400k PER MONTH, & I stopped worrying