FIFA

FIFA has issued new guidelines to all teams at the Olympic Football Tournaments Paris 2024, stating that only captains will be permitted to approach referees in certain situations.   Going forward this is also to be encouraged by FIFA in all competitions around the world, from the elite level of football down. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Without referees there is no football. Protecting match officials and ensuring they are treated with respect is fundamental for the future of the game. Implementing measures such as “captain only” is crucial in maintaining the spirit of football and safeguarding those who uphold its laws.”   Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, said: “This is an important step based on the overarching idea of further enhancing fairness and respect in football while enabling an open line of dialogue between the referee and the teams. As we have seen in the past, measures that are in defence of football end up being accepted.”    You can read more about the new guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/e5YjjF6b

Analysing the economic impact of the FIFA Women's World Cup™ ! 🔍 FIFA and the World Trade Organization have published a report that analyses the impact of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ on the economy, trade and society, both in the two host countries, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.  The Goal Economy report reveals that the tournament contributed almost USD 1.9 billion to global gross domestic product, created 38,204 jobs and added USD 932 to household incomes. The report is the latest example of the collaboration between FIFA and the WTO since they signed a memorandum of understanding in September 2022 to explore how best to use football to promote economic inclusion. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ef9wSTab

Aligned with FIFA's strategy and mission to develop the women's game and improve professionalisation, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ Club Benefits Programme rewards clubs that offer high-performance environments for their female players through football pathways.   FIFA set aside USD 11.3m to reward both the training and releasing clubs for all 736 players at last year's record-breaking FIFA Women's World Cup™.    A total of 1,041 clubs, across all six FIFA confederations and 48 member associations, have been identified as eligible to receive payments and been rewarded for their contributions to the continued growth of the women’s game.    Read more here: https://fifa.fans/4bV6MyQ

How is FIFA working to promote the protection of female players and coaches?   FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players have been adapted to address key elements such as maternity, adoption and family leave benefits, basic rights and options for players who become pregnant, breastfeeding, special registration rules, menstrual health and support for national-team players and their families.   These key changes are part of a concerted effort to strengthen the protection of female players, which has been a key focus of FIFA since 2020. You can find the full overview of FIFA’s regulatory framework for the protection of female players and coaches here: https://lnkd.in/eEZ5VYUF

The 2023-2024 Disciplinary and Ethics Report has been published 🔖 The fifth annual report found that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee received over 1,000 new cases and more than 500 requests, while the Ethics Committee opened 125 investigations. The report is part of FIFA’s continued efforts to promote transparency and full disclosure in relation to these judicial bodies’ operations. It offers comprehensive statistics and various infractions such as violations of football competition regulations, the protection of minors, third-party ownership, match fixing, doping and numerous instances related to the enforcement of decisions issued by the FIFA Football Tribunal or the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The timescale covered in the report runs from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eCSNEiqq

Discussing the next steps for the growth of women's football in Asia 🤝 FIFA, working alongside the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Football Association of Indonesia, recently hosted a Women's Football Regional Workshop in Indonesia, bringing together a representative from each member association who is responsible for the growth of the women's game. One of the main topics was the importance of the FIFA Women's Football Strategy — launched in 2018 to help guide member associations to follow suit with their own. FIFA Chief Women's Football Officer Dame Sarai Bareman said: "We're bringing the member associations of Asia together in one place to discuss, to exchange, to share knowledge, to talk about our collective challenges, to highlight some of the success stories, and to really try to work collectively to grow and develop the women’s game here in Asia. "This is a really important region for us. It’s a region that lives and breathes and is crazy about football. And specifically for women’s football, it’s traditionally and historically been one of the strongest regions. And it’s important for us to continue to foster that."

Discussing all things anti-discrimination at the Hamburg Sports Summit 💪🇩🇪 FIFA Senior Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Manager Gerd Dembowski presented on mainstreaming diversity and anti-discrimination at the Hamburg Sports Summit. The presentation outlined FIFA’s operational approach on diversity and anti-discrimination, the Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) and measures in place to support FIFA Member Associations. Among the attendees were UEFA Vice President Laura McAllister, the President of the German Football Association Bernd Neuendorf and the President of the Norwegian Football Association, Lise Klaveness. Since launching ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️, the SMPS has helped to protect players, teams and officials at global FIFA tournaments. Speaking after the event, Gerd Dembowski said: “Getting the time to dive deep and show individuals in the sports industry how anti-discrimination measures at FIFA have strategically and operationally evolved, and share personal reflections on endurance and business resilience is critical to be transparent, to listen and learn from relevant stakeholders.”

Providing step-by-step insights into the process behind international transfers 🔍   As part of its commitment to strengthening the transfer system, and with several member associations opening their transfer windows, FIFA has published a guide to help football stakeholders through the transfer process.   The FIFA International Player Transfer Guide furnishes clubs, member associations and general public with information on how to process a transfer, which documents are needed, as well as on other important related topics including registration periods, deadline days and the interrelation between the Transfer Matching System (TMS) and the FIFA Clearing House.   FIFA Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Emilio Garcia Silvero said: "This guide provides key practical insight into the processes in place within the transfer system, which ultimately aim to reinforce contractual stability, protect its integrity and achieve greater financial transparency. This is key given the increasing and evolving complexity of the transfer dynamics."   The implementation of the transfer system reform is a key element of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives 2023-2027 and part of the effort to ensure that the rules governing football keep up with an ever-changing world.   Find out more about the FIFA International Player Transfer Guide: https://lnkd.in/eJH3Jtam

Welcome to FIFAe, Football Manager! 🤝 FIFAe has announced an exciting partnership with Sports Interactive (SI), aimed at finding the first-ever FIFAe World Champion of Football Manager! The first-ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager will take place between 29 August and 1 September 2024, as the finest Football Manager 2024 players compete for USD 100,000 in prize money at the final event. FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, who has been appointed as the ambassador for the esports event, said: “At FIFA, we are dedicated to developing coaches and coaching techniques to give every talent a chance, so I look forward to seeing the best esports coaches from around the world compete at this event and contribute to the global advancement of football management and talent development.”

Applications are now open for the 2025-26 edition of the FIFA Foundation Community Programme! 🌍 Launched in 2019, the FIFA Foundation Community Programme works with local projects that harness the power of football to effect positive social change and address the most pressing global challenges facing underprivileged children and young people within the communities in which they operate. In 2024, applications from a record 130 NGOs from 54 countries were accepted, benefiting 154,924 people, including 74,863 women. In total, almost one million people have benefited from FIFA Foundation Community Programme-funded initiatives. FIFA Foundation Executive Chairman Mauricio Macri said: “Social projects involving football can make a real impact on the lives of millions of underprivileged children and young people across the world. The benefits of the game extend far beyond the boundaries of the pitch. “I’m proud that we’re launching the call for applications for this programme, which becomes more successful every year, and I encourage organisations to apply and help us make a real difference.” Find out more and apply now: https://lnkd.in/eGK4xQiR