FIFA moves CWC and cancels women’s youth World Cups

AFC Social Responsibility Committee praises Asian football’s COVID-19 response

Kuala Lumpur: The response by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations (MA) and Regional Associations (RA) was celebrated and supported by the AFC’s Social Responsibility Committee at their second meeting of the 2019-2023 cycle, chaired by Zaw Zaw.

FIFPRO statement: emergency period workload risks player health

FIFPRO notes the accumulated workload for players in the first quarter of European football’s 2020-2021 season and the mental and physical burden they are facing until 2022. The current handling of the match calendar during this emergency period lacks sufficient considerations for their health, well-being and performance and requires an urgent and ongoing revision by competition organisers.

AFC strengthens Safeguarding commitment in landmark webinar

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) ambitions to ensure the highest standards of Safeguarding and the protection of children and young people across the Continent marked a landmark step forward today with the launch of the ground-breaking AFC-FIFA Safeguarding Orientation Webinar.

The CCES 2019-2020 Annual Report is Now Available!

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport invites you to read our 2019-2020 annual report.

NHL cancels 2021 Minnesota Winter Classic, All-Star Weekend

The NHL won't take it outside and open 2021 with the Winter Classic in Minnesota but still hopes to get the hockey season going around the start of the new year.

FIFA President praises Qatar’s World Cup preparations during his first visit to Al Bayt Stadium

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ as “impressive” during a whistle-stop tour of the country this week.

UEFA allows return of fans at maximum 30% of capacity pending approval of local authorities

The UEFA Executive Committee today decided, following the successful pilot match that was held at the UEFA Super Cup in Budapest on 24 September, to allow the partial return of spectators for UEFA matches where local laws permit, starting from next week’s national team matches.

FIFA publishes its Guide to Submitting a Minor Application

In line with its commitment to promote greater transparency and disclosure of its core internal activities, FIFA has today published its Guide to Submitting a Minor Application (Guide).

CAF participates in UN meeting on sport for preventing and countering violent extremism

Confederation of African Football (CAF) participated in the high-level virtual international expert group meeting on sport for preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) conducive terrorism, that took place from 21 - 23 September 2020.

Safeguarding and gender-balanced media portrayal in sport promoted in concluding sessions of IOC’s gender equality webinar series

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) held its final two gender equality webinars for International Federations (IFs), focusing on the importance of gender-balanced portrayal in sport, as well as the development and implementation of safeguarding policies.

Former Australian Rules football player awarded A$1.4m for brain damage suffered from concussions

Former Australian Rules football player Shaun Smith has been awarded A$1.4m as an insurance pay-out for brain damage that was suffered as a result from repeated concussion sustained in matches.

IOC initiates International Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote athletes’ safety and wellbeing, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today approved the establishment of the “International Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate”. The course leading to certification is set to commence in September 2021. This is a first of its kind because there is currently no certificate or minimum standard of education or training for safeguarding officers in sport on an international level.

Concacaf Raises Awareness About Safeguarding of Children in Sports

MIAMI, USA - Concacaf’s Safeguarding Children in Sports program has moved into higher gear with more initiatives to bring greater awareness and education across its Member Associations.

IOC and JOC discuss measures to eradicate harassment and abuse in Japanese sport

IOC President Thomas Bach and the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and IOC Member, Yamashita Yasuhiro, held a telephone conference last week to address measures to eradicate harassment and abuse in Japanese sport. Both Presidents stressed the determination of their organisations to fight against any form of abuse.

Sports safety: should it be mandatory to report child protection & safeguarding concerns?

Published Thursday, 30 July 2020.

FIFA Guardians and why international federations should play a greater role in safeguarding sport

Published Tuesday, 26 May 2020.

Unveiling football’s Global Player Council

FIFPRO is launching a Global Player Council to strengthen the role of professional footballers in shaping their industry at an international level.

Key points from the Quinlan report into safeguarding at the Lawn Tennis Association

Published Friday, 15 February 2019.

Sport and Recreation Alliance announce appointment of three new board members

Initial thoughts on Real Madrid’s transfer ban being partially upheld by CAS

Published Wednesday, 28 December 2016.

A year in review: US sports law - personal injury, safety, stadiums and venues (Part 6)

All qualifying matches played thanks to CAF health protocol

Organisers make progress in developing Olympic Games fit for a post-corona world

Following a virtual meeting today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) acknowledged the continued progress being made towards all forthcoming Olympic Games, as local Organising Committees continue to develop Games fit for a post-corona world.

Statement: AFC Champions League in Qatar

FIFPRO is disappointed and concerned by the lack of consultation of professional footballers in the scheduling of the AFC Champions League in Qatar and the planning of COVID-19 protocols. These matters have implications for their mental and physical health as well as their participation in domestic leagues.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) signs partnership agreement with International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)

A partnership agreement has been signed on 24 October 2020 between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Center for Sport Security (ICSS), aimed at enhancing safety, security, integrity, and youth empowerment programs within African football.

England men against Barbarians match cancelled

As part of its ongoing investigation into a breach of the COVID code of conduct that took place on 21 October, the RFU has today discovered there was an earlier undisclosed breach that took place on 20 October when a number of Barbarians players left the hotel bubble without permission and without informing organisers about their whereabouts.

Temporary suspension of UEFA matches in Armenia and Azerbaijan

Considering the tense security situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the UEFA Executive Committee decided today that UEFA club and national team competition matches will not take place in Armenia and Azerbaijan until further notice.

Groundbreaking workshop sets tone for resumption of competitions

Ahead of the resumption of continental competitions, CAF has organized an online workshop on Club Licensing and Stadia from 29 September to 1 October 2020 to discuss with stakeholders the key elements in the organization of the game in the next couple of months.

Bureau of the FIFA Council approves International Match Protocol and adapts rules on release of players

In light of the current evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has approved FIFA’s Return to Football – International Match Protocol, which FIFA today shared with its 211 member associations and the six confederations.

Position agreed for fans to attend Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying ties

We have been liaising with Government regarding attendance of spectators at Emirates FA Cup fixtures in light of the recent Government announcements.

A statement from Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO

After the announcement that trials for spectators to return to sporting events from 1 October would now be cancelled because of a rise in coronavirus cases, it could be a number of months before fans return to stadiums. The COVID-19 alert level has moved to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially."

Plans scrapped for fans to return to sports events in October

Plans for fans to return to watch live sporting events in October have been scrapped, according to cabinet office minister Michael Gove.

RFU and RPA confirm new elite player squad agreement

As a result of the challenges posed by COVID-19, a one-year arrangement has been reached with the players accepting a 25% reduction in remuneration compared to the previous year.

UAE Pro League holds Child Safeguarding workshop

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Pro League organised its first workshop for the newly appointed Club Safeguarding Officers (CSO) as part of the second phase of its child safeguarding initiative to ensure children continue to play football in a safe environment.

Safer sport day to reinforce the utmost importance of athlete safeguarding

This Saturday, 8 August, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) joins the celebrations for Safer Sport Day, championed by the International Safeguards for Children in Sport Initiative, a coalition of more than 60 organisations working together to make sport safer, in which the IOC is represented on the advisory board.

Former gymnastics coach receives jail sentence for lying to police in Larry Nassar abuse case

Former Michigan State University gymnastics coach Kathie Klages has been sentenced to serve jail time after she lied to police during the investigation into Larry Nassar’s abuse.

FIFA Guardians continues momentum with PACE child safeguarding and protection panel

FIFA joined policy makers and youth ambassadors to discuss FIFA Guardians and #SafeHome campaign
Webinar discussed the impact of COVID-19 crisis on child protection and safeguarding
More information on the #SafeHome campaign can be found HERE

ILO forum: Promote collective agreements to improve player working conditions

Governments, employers, player associations as well as sports bodies should promote all forms of social dialogue, including collective bargaining, to improve working conditions for professional athletes worldwide. That is the main conclusion of the first forum on Decent Work in Sport organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Warning on Turkish football club debts

FIFPRO is issuing a warning to players about Turkish football because of an increasing number of cases in which clubs are defaulting on salary payments.