.png)
In a legal landscape where football regulations are evolving rapidly and becoming increasingly complex, the gap between theoretical knowledge and day-to-day practice remains one of the key challenges for lawyers seeking to specialize in the industry.
To address this need, the O REI Sports Law Institute, co-founded by Sportia Law partners, has launched the 2026 edition of its Executive Course in International Football Law, a program designed to align legal training with the realities of professional practice at the highest level of the sport.
Running from May 12 to July 30, 2026, the course is delivered online and structured around 10 intensive weekly modules, supplemented by two live sessions per week and regular practical assignments.
What sets the program apart is its clear methodological focus: not merely understanding soccer law, but learning how to practice as a soccer lawyer from day one. This is reflected in its emphasis on practical work—drafting, negotiation, and dispute resolution—which mirrors the types of legal services provided to clubs, players, agents, and governing bodies in real-world scenarios.
The academic content covers the entire spectrum of the industry, including:
- Dispute resolution before FIFA and CAS
- Club advisory services regarding transfers and contracts
- Representation of players, coaches, and agents
- Governance, compliance, and risk management
- Anti-doping and regulatory frameworks
This breadth is combined with a strong practical focus, ensuring that participants do not view these areas as isolated disciplines, but as interconnected aspects of a global soccer ecosystem.
Another key feature of the program is its faculty. The course is taught by leading practitioners, arbitrators, and industry professionals, who bring direct experience from organizations such as FIFA, CAS, UEFA, clubs, and top-tier law firms.
This course provides participants not only with technical knowledge, but also with insight into how decisions are made in practice—often going beyond what is apparent in regulations or case law.
Beyond the academic framework, the program also fosters a valuable international network, connecting lawyers and professionals who are actively building or advancing their careers in sports law.
With limited enrollment and an interview-based admission process, the program is designed for candidates who are genuinely committed to developing a specialized practice in sports law.
For professionals already working in the field—or those looking to transition into it—the program offers a structured, practice-oriented pathway into the realities of the global soccer industry.
Further information is available at:
The REI Sports Law Institute: www.orei.institute
Email: contact@orei.institute