EXECUTIVE

PROGRAMME
IN SPORTS
ARBITRATION

3
rd
EDITION
2023
 EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME
IN SPORTS ARBITRATION

OVERVIEW
Already in its third edition, the FIFA Executive Programme in
Sports Arbitration (FIFA EPSA) is becoming an institution focusing
not only on educating legal practitioners on sports arbitration but
most importantly on creating an indispensable bridge between
theory and practice and providing an opportunity for participants,
arbitrators and lawyers to benefit from direct exchanges.

FIFA is the most active international federation in adjudicated cases

before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with practically
hundreds of disputes annually. Disputes that range from appeals to
its disciplinary decisions to cases deriving from the resolution of its
judicial bodies on contractual disputes or on other decisions passed
by its executive bodies.

Due to the success of the previous two editions, the FIFA EPSA
will continue to take place on an annual basis and we will build
on our experience to improve not only the teaching material but
also the experience for the participants. The first two editions were
initiated and implemented either entirely or at least significantly
under the restrictions of COVID-19 and were therefore limited
either to virtual classes or to classes being held in Zurich. For the
third edition, we introduce three different iconic football locations,
which will provide the participants with an opportunity to have a
more meaningful football experience.
 EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME
IN SPORTS ARBITRATION

PARTICIPANTS’ PROFILES
Participant requirements Benefits for participants
• Lawyers with an interest in sports law and/or in- • In-depth analysis of the different types of
house legal counsel of confederations, member procedures and leading cases of CAS
associations, clubs, leagues, player unions, etc.
• Practical guidance in resolving disputes before CAS
• Availability to personally follow on-site the three
• Introduction to other sports-related arbitration
modules over the course of four days each for
models in sport
lectures and active participation
• Mock hearings based on leading CAS cases
• Preparing practical cases in advance based on
materials provided at the beginning of each module

DATES AND TOPICS

The third edition of the FIFA EPSA will take place in Madrid (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Zurich
(Switzerland) over a period of three months.

MODULE 1 MODULE 2 MODULE 3

Madrid (Spain) Buenos Aires (Argentina) Zurich (Switzerland), FIFA HQ
19 - 22 September 2023 31 October - 3 November 2023 28 November - 1 December 2023

MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE CAS
AND ITS PROCEEDINGS
Madrid (Spain)
19-22 September 2023
• CAS: history and structure
• ICAS (International Council of Arbitration for
Sport)
• CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration
• CAS proceedings:
- The Ordinary Arbitration Procedure
- The Appeal Arbitration Procedure
- The CAS Anti-Doping Division Procedure
• Ad-hoc divisions
• Other arbitration models in sport: the
Basketball Arbitral Tribunal, the North
American professional leagues system, etc.
• Practical exercise: statement of appeal
EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME
IN SPORTS ARBITRATION
MODULE 2 MODULE 3
FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF CAS CAS LEADING CASES
PROCEEDINGS IN SPORT
Buenos Aires (Argentina) Zurich (Switzerland)
31 October - 3 November 2023 28 November – 1 December 2023
• Initiation of the procedure: seat, language, time limits, • CAS landmark decisions in football
formation of the panel, appointment of the arbitrators
• CAS landmark decisions in disciplinary and
• Costs of the arbitration proceedings: amount, advance of ethics
costs payment, share of costs
• CAS landmark decisions in anti-doping
• Procedure: written submissions, bifurcation, jurisdiction,
• CAS landmark decisions at the Olympic
applicable provisional and conservatory measures, additional
Games
submissions, hearing, expedited proceedings, applicable law
to the merits • Other CAS landmark decisions
• Types of evidence: exhibits, witnesses, expert evidence, • Practical exercise: moot court case
request for evidentiary measures, evidentiary measures
requested by the panel
• Proof: burden of proof and standard of proof
• Hearing from the arbitrator’s perspective: opening statements,
witness and experts’ testimonies, and closing statements
• The award; potential remedies before the Swiss Federal Tribunal
• Practical exercise: appeal brief and answer to the appeal
 EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME
IN SPORTS ARBITRATION

FACULTY
The FIFA EPSA is taught by highly reputed
football law specialists. The various modules
will be delivered by FIFA staff, independent
lawyers, CAS arbitrators, in-house general
counsel and executives of football institutions.

ACADEMIC DIRECTION
PRINCIPAL
Dr. Emilio García Silvero
FIFA Chief Legal and Compliance Officer

EDUCATIONAL BOARD
Theodore Giannikos
FIFA Director of Legal Strategic Projects

Maja Kuster Hoffmann

FIFA Senior Legal Development Affairs
Manager
 EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME
IN SPORTS ARBITRATION

PROGRAMME METHODOLOGY
The three modules, all of which will be held exclusively in English, will combine theory and real practical cases, with
the graduation ceremony taking place in Zurich (Switzerland) at the FIFA headquarters.

APPLICATION PROCESS
The admission process will be open from 12 April to 16 June 2023. Applicants should fill out the respective application
form, which can be found on www.fifa.com/football-law . The application should be accompanied by a Curriculum
Vitae. Letters of recommendation are welcome, but a maximum of two may be submitted.

The academic board will select up to 24 participants. All applicants will be informed accordingly.

Tuition fees Contact

The programme fee of USD 2,200 is due by the Any questions related to the FIFA EPSA can be
programme start date. It covers the material for the addressed to:
three modules as well as lunches and coffees. More
detailed logistical information will be provided to Educational Board
selected participants in due time. Email: legal-diploma@fifa.org