Professional football
2022 was another important year for the FIFA Professional Football Relations & Development Subdivision as, among other important projects and initiatives, the FIFA Diploma in Club Management went from strength to strength.
The inaugural edition of the FIFA Diploma in Club Management drew to a successful conclusion at the Home of FIFA in May 2022 as the 32 participants, including club executives and former internationals from all around the world, received their certificates from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In line with the vision of making football truly global, the diploma is part of FIFA’s efforts to further professionalise the game, enabling a larger number of clubs from every region of the world to compete at the highest level both on and off the pitch.
During the 13-month course, the participants debated and exchanged views with industry experts and leading voices within football on topics such as club operations and stadium management, finance, marketing and communications, youth academies, governance and legal matters, as well as leadership and negotiation. All students also devised a strategic plan for their respective clubs.
Following the success of the first edition, FIFA launched the second instalment in New York in September. This time, 40 participants – drawn from across all six confederations – joined the programme, which is taught by world-class experts and includes on-site and online modules.
The group successfully completed a module during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which concluded with a visit from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Speaking at the end of the six days in Doha, President Infantino congratulated delegates on their participation and took part in a question-and-answer session that covered topics such as FIFA’s commitment to and strategy for global football development, the continued growth and investment in the women’s game at club and national level, the Football Unites the World campaign and the success of Qatar 2022.
What the participants have to say…
“It is really important to understand what other club executives and some of the brightest minds of the industry are thinking about right now, which is why this diploma is just a great fit for my career path.”
“The FIFA Diploma in Club Management programme allows me to invest in myself and my club, to meet my peers, learn from their experiences, and broaden my views on what’s possible.”
“I’m excited to be a part of this prestigious diploma. It’s important for me to continue my education with executives who work in football globally and to share our experiences.”
“In an industry that’s changing constantly, it’s a great opportunity to learn about all the latest global trends in club operations from experts with different backgrounds.”
FIFA and FIFPRO take further steps towards 2023 agreement
FIFA and global players’ association FIFPRO signed an agreement at a meeting in Doha in December 2022, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFPRO President David Aganzo outlining the proposed structure of an agreement that both organisations will aim to finalise in 2023.
“It is important that football stakeholders have a healthy and transparent working relationship, and today’s meeting was held in this spirit,” said Aganzo. “I am pleased we have started working towards a new cooperation agreement that will take more steps to put players at the heart of the decision-making and development of professional football. We will keep progressing to safeguard players’ rights, and these negotiations will seek to establish greater influence, involvement and protections. Next to finalising this agreement, our joint priorities are now the international match calendars and player conditions for the upcoming Women’s World Cup.”
The existing six-year cooperation agreement between both organisations was signed in 2017, under which FIFPRO and FIFA have introduced several improvements to benefit professional footballers, including new maternity regulations, upgrades to employment regulations, and a fund to provide financial aid to players whose clubs have shut down.
Under an agreed time frame, FIFA and FIFPRO will now seek to conclude a new agreement in 2023, underlined by a commitment towards close and consistent collaboration around matters affecting players.
“It is important football stakeholders have a healthy and transparent working relationship. I am pleased we have started working towards a new cooperation agreement that will take more steps to put players at the heart of the decision-making and development of professional football.”