The selection process for the first edition of the FIFA Diploma in Football Law has concluded after an impressive figure of 149 applications were received from 84 member associations across the six confederations.

Twenty-four participants were selected to start the new programme, which kicks off in Miami in February 2020 and will be held in five different locations around the world over a period of 13 months. The curriculum includes insights into football governance and regulations, the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, commercial aspects, Court of Arbitration for Sport proceedings and other aspects of football law.

On average, the selected participants are 41 years old and have 15 years’ experience of legal practice behind them. They work in various positions as directors of legal affairs or legal counsel at national football associations, leagues, clubs and players’ unions all around the world. Thirty‑six per cent of them are women.

The FIFA Diploma in Football Law has been created by FIFA in collaboration with the International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES). It caters for the increasing need to understand the changes to the regulations and legal decisions in football and how they affect the work of national associations, leagues, clubs and players’ unions.