IFAM 2023 (1st Edition)
IFAM 2023 saw a hugely successful inaugural edition of the Football Moot. The competition welcomed 20 teams for distance rounds and 12 teams in person. Between our arbitrators and competitors, we boast an impressive 50 nationalities rendering our event truly international.
Competition and Results
The IFAM 2023 moot problem comprised a contractual stability case between a fictional South African football club (Pretoria Warriors) and a fictional Colombian footballer (Juan Carlos Fernandez). After allegedly gaining significant weight and committing multiple disciplinary violations, the Club terminated the player’s contract. The player, enraged by a Johannesburg Journal publication of secret recordings of the Club’s manager stating that they tried to get rid of him at all costs, decided to pursue a claim before the FIFA Football Tribunal. The player was victorious at this stage winning the residual value of his contract, however, the Club then launched an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and so began the IFAM competitors interventions.
The teams all participated in drafting Appeals and Responses before the CAS over a period of several months before finally arriving at Platja d’Aro to conduct in person hearings. The teams all acted as Appellants and Respondents at least once in perfecting their advocacy skills.
The level of competition was incredibly high and we as the organisers could not have been happier to see the passion and dedication that was motivating our participants.
The top four teams that qualified for the semi finals were: Baku State University (Azerbaijan), Universidad Europea Escuela Real Madrid (Spain), Tilburg University (Netherlands) and Bucerius Law School (Germany. After two incredibly closely contested moots, Real Madrid and Bucerius emerged victorious (over Tilburg and Baku respectively), setting up the finals of our first edition.
The finals proved to be an absolute show for our spectators who witnessed incredible advocacy from our participants who undoubtedly are the legal stars of the future, whilst also witnessing some ruthless questioning and grilling by our exceptional arbitrators in Efraim Barak, Petra Pocrnic Perica (President) and Jordi Lopez Batet.
Ultimately only one team could win. After deliberating, the panel decided that Bucerius Law School had edged out a victory and so they were crowned inaugural champions. Not only could they moot like champions, it is fair to say that they could celebrate like champions!
Congratulations to all our participants and arbitrators who made the event an unforgettable experience and thank you for joining the IFAM family; we can’t wait for you to be back; see you in Platja d’Aro!
Prize Winners:
Winner IFAM 2023: Bucerius Law School
Runner Up IFAM 2023: Universidad Escuela Real Madrid
Semi Finalists: Tilburg University / Baku State University
Best Orator: Mahammad Safarli
Best Appellant (Written Submissions): Universidad Escuela Real Madrid
Best Respondent (Written Submissions): Baku State University/University of Bologna
The world’s first ever Football Moot in Platja d’Aro hosted by IFAM was my first time mooting. My experience was a valuable and unforgettable one. The three action packed days consisted of competitive rounds against teams from all over the world, judged by real arbitrators and leading sports professionals. This resulted in fantastic feedback and direction. The event was perfect for networking, meeting other students and learning about the world of football law. I gained some valuable contacts and great friends. I would highly recommend IFAM football moot for anyone wishing to progress their career in sports law. I will definitely be back next year!
As a “mootie” and sports law enthusiast, I was thrilled to see the IFAM being launched. I would say the most useful part of the moot was having an opportunity to plead before the well-known sports arbitrators and counsels. Their feedback was not only relevant for upcoming pleadings, but also for my future legal practise. In addition to improving my advocacy skills, networking events were extremely valuable. I had a chance to meet some professionals in the sports world and make some friends along the way. IFAM left a very positive mark in my career thanks to the amazing organisers and supporters.
IFAM was a thoroughly great experience. From the preparation of the briefs and the pleadings to the competition in Platja d’Aro, we had an educational and exciting time in our team. During the competition, we were able to meet many accomplished and up-and-coming sports lawyers with the participants and the judges. Sunny Platja d’Aro was the perfect location for the grand finale.
