FIFA Master

The FIFA Master in Management, Law, & Humanities of Sport is a one-year postgraduate sports executive programme that consists of three modules that are taught across three prestigious universities in Europe, and concluding with a final project.^[1]

It is organized by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) and is endorsed by FIFA. It was created in 2000 to promote a managerial culture within the sports industry, with the aim to develop the skills of aspiring managers so that they can take on the complex challenges of this industry.^[2]

With around 20 nationalities represented in class each year, the FIFA Master provides an international and dynamic learning environment, and focuses on three major and interconnected subject fields: management (SDA Bocconi), law (Neuchâtel) and human sciences (De Montfort). The strengths of the FIFA Master in the key areas of graduate employability, alumni networks, quality of teaching and international appeal has seen the programme named as the top postgraduate sports management course in the world by SportBusiness International in their 2014 rankings. Established in 2000, the FIFA Master scooped the top global award at this year’s ceremony, having previously been named as the leading course in Europe by the same rankings in both 2012 and 2013. More than 500 international sport management courses and alumni submitted data to the 2014 rankings process.^[3]

The Master offers students the chance to meet with top international managers from the world of sport (e.g. clubs, federations, associations, etc.) and to be part of a network of highly relevant contacts. Graduates from the course become members of the FMA (the FIFA Master Alumni Association), which guarantees they will remain in touch with important stakeholders in sport.

Program of the Master

De Montfort University

Humanities of Sport - The first term is taught at the International Centre for Sport History and Culture (ICSHC) at the De Montfort University, Leicester. The ICSHC was established in 1996 and is today widely acknowledged as the leading centre for the study of sports history in the world. The Humanities of Sport modules addresses the birth of modern sport, professionalisation and internationalisation of sport and sport ethics.

SDA Bocconi

Sport Management - The second term is taught at the SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, one of Europe's most prestigious business schools. This term addresses the area of Sports Management and covers topics such as finance, marketing, organization and governance, strategy, business planning, and event management, applied to the context of sport.

Université de Neuchâtel

Sport Law - The third and final term is taught at the Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, whose Law Faculty is one of the top law faculties in Switzerland. This term addresses the area of Sports Law and covers topics such as the legal aspects of the private sector of sport, the legal status of the sports person, legal aspects of sport and health, sport business and law, and methods of dispute resolution.

Final Project

The Final Project of the FIFA Master in Management, Law, & Humanities of Sport is seen as an opportunity for postgraduates to conduct original research, demonstrate creativity and independent thinking, as well as to develop and defend their ideas. Working in small research teams, postgraduates develop an inter-disciplinary research project with reference to the course themes of Management, Law and the Humanities of Sport. The final work, which is expected to have an applicable nature to issues faced in world sport, is presented to a specially invited audience of industry and academic experts during a special conference event in Neuchâtel. Previous Final Projects have been implemented directly by sports organizations or by course Alumni in the sports industry.

CIES' postgraduates are examined throughout the FIFA Master in Management, Law, & Humanities of Sport by a variety of assessment methods. These include group assessments, written examinations, oral examinations and research papers. The assessment timetable is devised by each of the three partner universities.

Course Patrons

Every year, the FIFA Master class is supported by a patron, given it an international dimension.^[4]

2000/2001 (1st Edition) - Abedi Pelé

2001/2002 (2nd Edition) - Anita DeFrantz

2002/2003 (3rd Edition) - Michel Platini

2003/2004 (4th Edition) - Sergey Bubka

2004/2005 (5th Edition) - Alexander Popov

2005/2006 (6th Edition) - Sir Bobby Charlton

2006/2007 (7th Edition) - Lord Sebastian Coe

2007/2008 (8th Edition) - Sepp Blatter

2008/2009 (9th Edition) - Nawal El Moutawakel

2009/2010 (10th Edition) - George Weah

2010/2011 (11th Edition) - Jérôme Valcke

2011/2012 (12th Edition) - Jonathan Edwards

2012/2013 (13th Edition) - Steffi Jones

2013/2014 (14th Edition) - Christian Karembeu

2014/2015 (15th Edition) - Jean-Christophe Rolland

FIFA Master Alumni

• Taufique Ahmed - (Saudi Professional League, Project Manager - International Relations)
• Musa Amadu – (Nigeria Football Federation, General Secretary)
• Caroline Anderson – (TSE Consulting, Director & Partner)
• Anja Berninger – (NADA, acting CEO)
• Jair Bertoni – (EPFL, Head of Cabinet)
• Dariel Collazo – (Puerto Rican Football Federation, acting General Secretary)
• Alberto Colombo – (EPFL, Head of Marketing & Communications)
• Marcelo Cordeiro – (IMG, Director Licensing)
• Robert Cormack – (Under Armour, Football Merchandising Manager)
• Miguel Angel Couchonnal – (Atlante Fútbol Club, Executive Director)
• Lauren Decker – (Octagon WorldWide, Senior Marketing Director)
• Pierre Ducrey – (IOC, Deputy Director of Olympic Games Coordination)
• Diederik Dewaele – (ECA, Head of Administration)
• Jérôme J. Dufourg – (FC Talanta, former Executive Director)
• Hicham El Amrani – (CAF, General Secretary)
• Ameline Gerbel – (AIBA, Sport Director)
• Tim Goethals – (ASOIF, Head of Projects)
• Andres Ivan Gonzalez – (MasterCard, Head of Sponsorships, Asia/Pacific, MEA)
• Nir Inbar – (Hapoel Tel Aviv FC, Director)
• Court Jeske – (MLS, Senior Director, International Business)
• Jules César Kalisa – (FERWAFA, General Secretary)
• Angenie Kanhai – (Caribbean Football Union, General Secretary)
• James Kitching – (Asian Football Confederation, Head of Sports Legal Services, Disciplinary and Governance)
• Arnaud Le Mintier – (FIFA, Head of Broadcaster Servicing)
• Tsuneyasu Miyamoto – (former Japanese international)
• Carlos Lucas – (LPFP, Director of Competitions and Events)
• Rochak Langer - (Indian Super League)
• Kenneth Makhanya – (Mamelodi Sundowns, General Manager)
• Alessandro Pellicciotta – (CIES, Head of CIES Marketing & Development)
• Betsy Pollard – (Sporting Kansas City, Director, Youth Soccer)
• Leonardo Rossi – (AS Roma, Stadium Head of Ticket Sales)
• Francesca Sanzone – (FIGC, Deputy General Manager)
• Jacqueline Shipanga – (NFA, Head of Women's Football Department)
• Pascal Sommerhalder – (Infront Sports & Media, Associate Director Marketing & Sales)
• Michael Tattersall – (The Football League, Deputy Operations Director)
• David Turner-Kerr – (JPMorgan Chase, Vice President - Sales)
• Gustavo Vieira – (FFEES, Executive Director)

References