Mediation in Football-Related Disputes

Abstract

The sports regulatory regimes globally adopted some forms of alternative dispute resolution to help resolve disputes in global sports without having to go to trial, both domestically and internationally. It refers to a variety of non-judicial processes for resolving sports-related conflicts outside of mainstream traditional litigation. The autonomy of sports governance in principle develops a procedure or process for interpreting and enforcing the global sports law. In addition, self-regulation at the global level empowers international
sports federations or sports governing bodies to authorize their members to offer an official party-driven approach to providing dispute settlement in global sports. This article discusses the importance of settling disputes outside of the courtroom with the official support of a neutral third party in global sports and the critical role of mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution and policy in making sports mediation mechanisms more effective. It explores the link between a broad principle of sports mediation and the experience of the operation of mediation in global sports. Concerns in promoting rules of procedure for mediation in the accordance with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Statutes are discussed. Measures to promote mediation in global football in general and selected elements of article 20 of the Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal, in particular, are suggested.