Sports Arbitration

The Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA) offers specialized training and case management in Sports Arbitration, addressing disputes within the global and regional sports ecosystem—ranging from professional athlete contracts to disciplinary proceedings, governance issues, and doping violations.

CIMA’s Sports Arbitration training is designed for sports lawyers, agents, club executives, regulators, athletes, and federation officials. The curriculum covers the legal frameworks governing sports dispute resolution, including the rules of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), national and regional arbitration tribunals, and relevant regulations from bodies such as FIFA, CAF, IOC, and WADA. It also includes modules on eligibility disputes, image rights, sponsorship contracts, anti-doping regulations, player transfers, and salary cap enforcement.

The training emphasizes both procedural rigor and the nuances of sports culture, ensuring that participants are equipped to handle high-profile and time-sensitive disputes in a fair and efficient manner. Simulations and role-plays reflect real-world controversies, including match-fixing allegations, athlete misconduct, and governance-related appeals. CIMA also offers case management services tailored to sports disputes, providing arbitration panels composed of experts in sports law and industry practice. These services support rapid appointment of arbitrators, virtual hearing management, and enforcement of awards in line with international sporting codes and national laws.