Sports Law has developed into an important niche area of law. It deals which deals many of the existing areas of law such as commercial contracts, regulatory law, employment and immigration law, property law and many other areas. This diploma will provide participants with an insight into the dynamic area of sports law, in particular the football industry. The diploma will focus on practical issues as well as some pertinent case law. Key issues around contract law and its applicability to sports professionals and their representatives will be explored.

The use of alternative dispute resolution in football is explored in the context of the court for arbitration and other vehicles of mediation.

The FIFA regulations around the transfer of players, third party ownership and other issues pertinent to staying within the legal requirements are also discussed. The diploma concludes with two connected themes of governance and discipline in football. Disciplinary procedures in football, both internal and external are reviews with the aid of case law and real-world examples.

What you will study

Week 1: What is Sports Law? Lex Sportiva theoretical framework

Week 2: Sports Contracts

Week 3: Anti-doping

Week 4: Alternative Dispute resolution in Sports

Week 5: Football Transfers (FIFA Regulations)

Week 6: Intermediaries – Regulation and Legal Disputes.

Week 7: Governance in Sports

Week 8: Discipline in Football

On completion of this diploma, participants will have:

• A comprehensive understanding of the concepts of sports law;
• Gain confidence and skills to deal with sports law issues;
• An understanding of the key issues to address when representing an amateur/ professional sportsperson;
• A good understanding of the technical areas of anti-doping in sport;
• Appreciate the necessity of discipline in sport;
• Understand the fundamentals of a contract.

If you are involved in sport, then this course is for you. However, avoid the pitfalls of non-compliance and ensure that you know your rights.

This short course is delivered online by Jessie Engelhart, a leading sports lawyer who has worked for FC Barcelona and UEFA. The course is delivered online over 8 weeks, and all lectures are recorded if you cannot make the live event.

This course is now running for the second time in March 2022.