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06 March 2026
Issue: 8152 / Categories: Legal News , Sports law , Employment , Commercial , Sports litigation , International
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NLJ this week: Mbappé row spotlights ‘ethics bonuses’

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A €60.9m award to Kylian Mbappé has refocused attention on football’s controversial ‘ethics bonus’ clauses. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Estelle Ivanova of Valloni Attorneys at Law examines how such provisions sit within French labour law

These bonuses, tied to conduct on and off the pitch, are lawful in principle—but only if framed as objective remuneration, not disguised penalties. French law prohibits ‘financial penalties’, rendering contrary clauses ‘deemed unwritten’.

The Paris Labour Court stressed that ‘contractual undertakings must be complied with’.

Poor drafting risks recharacterisation or invalidation; sophisticated drafting is now essential in a sport where reputation and revenue are entwined.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
The number of misconduct reports to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has doubled in the past five years, after a series of industry scandals highlighted the reputational and regulatory risks involved
It’s game, set but not quite match for the All England Lawn Tennis Ground (AELTG) in its dream of expanding its West London grounds
One in four partners at top 50 and one in five at top 250 firms are considering leaving their firm in the next three years, according to a survey by TBD Marketing
A flat-rate, ‘events-based’ redress scheme for families of postmasters severely affected by the Horizon IT miscarriage of justice scandal is due to open in the summer
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