Participants on the second edition of FIFA’s Diploma in Law met in Miami this week at the headquarters of Concacaf. The group, comprising representatives from FIFA member associations, football clubs, leagues, player unions, Confederations, and independent lawyers, listened to numerous experts discussing aspects of football law related to FIFA’s Transfer Regulations. Round tables and case studies also covered the dispute resolution system, player-club matters, such as the signing and breaching of contracts, registration issues, as well as national team matters.

The FIFA Diploma in Football Law is a unique journey covering five continents. The programme has been specially created by FIFA in collaboration with the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES). It offers a practical, personalised learning approach, backed up by theory, research and practical sessions. Participants will come away with well-rounded knowledge of football law, equipping them to meet the various needs of today’s professional football structure, whether within an organisation or in private practice. FIFA has set itself the objective of ensuring that football’s stakeholders get to know the most relevant aspects of the legal field first-hand. As the governing body of the sport, FIFA’s goals and responsibilities include promoting education and sharing knowledge. Specifically, Goal 1 of the FIFA Vision 2020-23 sets out to Modernise the football regulatory framework.

The first module of the current edition of the FIFA Diploma in Law was held in Zurich this February. The final three modules will take place in September 2022 (in Asuncion, Paraguay), in November 2022 (in Cairo, Egypt) and conclude with a module focused on CAS proceedings, to be held in Zurich in March 2023.