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Welcome back to the Chris Farnell IPS Law unofficial sports blog.On 19 October 2022, Richard Masters, the Chief Executive of the English Premier League, was elected as the new Chairperson of the World Leagues Forum during the organization’s Annual Meeting. Other matters of interest were also addressed and decided during the Annual Meeting. They are clearly shaking things up at the head of world of football governance. 

World Leagues Forum members appointed Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the English Premier League as their new Chairman, succeeding Enrique Bonilla, Honorary Chairman of Liga MX, whose term chairing the WLF will come to an end on December 31, 2022.

Richard Masters will start in January 2023 and be part of a Management Board including Don Garber, Commissioner of Major League Soccer and Enrique Bonilla. Don Garber and Enrique Bonilla will each hold the title of vice-chairman of the WLF.

The World Leagues Forum also addressed the “Global Labor Agreement” recently signed with FIFPro, in Geneva, at the office of the International Labor Organisation (ILO). This agreement creates a social dialogue framework in football at world level between the representatives of the employers (WLF) and those of the players (FIFPRO). The International Labour Organization is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN. 

The WLF appointed its representatives to the Executive Board of this agreement (FIFPRO will appoint their own representatives) including:

Richard Masters (Chief Executive, Premier League, England);

Enrique Bonilla (Honorary Chairman, Liga MX, Mexico);

Mark Abbott (President, MLS, USA);

Javier Tebas (President, LaLiga, Spain);

Luigi De Siervo (CEO, Serie A, Italy) ;

Claus Thomsen (CEO, Danish League, Denmark);

Mato Madlala (CEO, Premier League, South Africa);

Yoshikazu Nonomura (Chairman, J.League, Japan);

Miguel Angel Loor (President, LigaPro, Ecuador).

The leagues agreed that the first meeting of the Executive Board of the World Social Dialogue shall take place before the end of the year to address the most pressing concerns of professional football.

The Annual Meeting was also an opportunity to address regulatory matters and supporting the soon to be adopted Regulations on Agents by the FIFA Council.

Finally, the Leagues addressed lengthily the issues relating to the Laws of the Game and agreed to engage in continued dialog with the IFAB on potential innovations.

Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, newly elected Chair of the WLF said, “The World Leagues Forum has enabled its members to share ideas and speak with a collective voice. The WLF has also given me the opportunity to develop strong relationships with other league leaders so it’s a privilege to take on this responsibility as its Chair. I now look forward to working constructively with global stakeholders to ensure The WLF is meaningfully involved in all future international calendar and competition decisions.”

Find out more from the world of football clubs including Charlton, and the men behind the game like Chris Farnell Charlton on our blog. Chris Farnell is a prominent sports lawyer from IPS Law. You can also read more about Chris Farnell IPS Law online. Make sure you subscribe and check back soon for more posts. Leave your comments and feedback below.