Beijing – Seminar on FIFA regulations on working with intermediaries

Seminar on FIFA regulations on working with intermediaries held successfully in Beijing

Story by Shaun Dong

This Seminar organized by China Sports and Law Research Center and Sports & Entertainment (Beijing) Development Co,. Ltd.was successfully held in CAMIC International Conference Center, Beijing, on May 21st 2016. China Sports Venue Association co-sponsored the meeting. Fifty candidates from sports agencies, industry associations, football associations, sports companies, education agencies, research institutes, consulting companies, clubs, and media attended this seminar.

At the beginning, Prof. Yu Shanxu, the vice chairman of China Association for Sports Law (CASL) delivered an impromptu speech. He mentioned that he was glad that this seminar drew attention of practitioners from different fields. Sport has become a hot topic as sport industry was thriving during the past few years.

Following Yu’s speech, Shaun Dong, a well-known sports lawyer, as the host and founder of chinasportslaw.com as well as China Sports & Law Research Center, made a speech on the research of FIFA Intermediaries Regulations and the case analysis of Nyasha Mushekwi. The FIFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries replaced the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations (2008) and was put into effect on Apr 1st 2015. First, Mr. Dong analyzed critical changes of FIFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, transparency, payment of commission fees, benefits conflicts, and protection of the minor. He introduced application of new intermediary regulations in UK, Japan, Italy, and Spain. At last, basing on the Nyasha Mushekwi case, he illustrated new challenges and influence brought to Chinese football intermediaries by new regulations.

Mr. Li Shen is representative of football intermediary, and he shared what he had experienced and learnedin histwo cases. He expressed his hope that CFA would introduce new intermediary regulation matched the FIFA’s as soon as possible. The vice president of CFA Arbitration Committee, Mr. Zhou Ming talked about the judicial alike system in professional sports, he also revealed what the CFA Arbitration Committee had been working on and the some details when CFA formulate the newintermediary regulation.

Ms. Li Jun shared her thoughts on education of sports talents. In the end, Prof. Jining talked about his reading of China Football Long-term Development Plan (2016—2050).

This seminar was of clear topic, rich content, considerate services and comfortable environment, so that all the participants could discuss and communicate actively and deeply. The small drinking party after the seminar provided a excellent networking opportunity for everyone.