Following a unique journey that started in Miami in February 2020, 26 professionals today graduated from FIFA’s first-ever Diploma in Football Law during a virtual ceremony.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Director of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Denis Oswald joined the ceremony from the Home of FIFA in Zurich and the CIES headquarters in Neuchâtel, respectively, and passed on their congratulations to all diploma holders.

Over the course of the past 13 months and in collaboration with the CIES, the group of 26 football executives from all around the world were provided with in-depth insight into subjects such as “An introduction to football law”, “FIFA Transfer Regulations I and II”, “Other aspects of football law” and “CAS proceedings”. The diploma also comprised keynote presentations by 48 top-level speakers with the final aim of giving all attendees a first-hand understanding of the ever-evolving dynamics of football’s regulatory and decision-making framework.

While the original plan was to host on-site classes on a rotational basis at the headquarters of the confederations, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, the course was held in a virtual format.

The second edition of the Diploma in Football Law is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2022.