Manchester United solicitor joins UEFA legal experts board

Maurice Watkins, solicitor to Manchester United football club, has become part of the English football authorities' push to increase their influence in the game internationally.Mr Watkins, senior partner of Manchester firm James Chapman & Co, has been appointed to the legal experts board of UEFA, European football's governing body.

Mr Watkins - who is also a member of the Premier League legal working party - was put forward by the Football Association (FA).

His election follows a decision by the FA to increase the number of people it has on UEFA's committees and boards in the wake of its failure to capture the 2006 World Cup, in which the lack of European support was crucial.Mr Watkins told the Gazette that it was 'important for the English game' to have people in key roles.

He joins the panel as the European Commission considers a case which would apply normal employment law to footballers, enabling them to break contracts and move clubs without a transfer fee.

Neil Rose