February 1 – FIFA’s legal team is undergoing a makeover with four key team leaders exiting the world governing body and the merger of two of the key integrity and judiciary functions.
James Kitching who has been a key member of the FIFA team working on the reform of the transfer system, left the organisation at the end of last month to return to Australia.
At the end of March both Ian Smith, Director of Commercial and Operational Legal, and Oliver Jaberg, Deputy Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Director of Integrity & Anti-doping, will also leave.
Head of Institutional League Stephanie Maennl will also leave at the end of March.
Smith has been deeply involved in the re-shaping of FIFA’s commercial programme and delivery of major events and is leaving to “pursue new opportunities” according to an internal FIFA email.
Jaberg is a FIFA stalwart of over 12 years and an ever present during the major changes within the sports integrity functions at FIFA. His department, the Integrity Sub-division (Integrity Department and Anti-doping department) will now be integrated into the Judicial Bodies Sub-Division which is led by Carlos Schneider.
FIFA’s head of legal Emilio Garcia has promoted internally with Emily Devlin taking on the role of Deputy Chief Legal Officer and director of the now merged Corporate and commercial legal sub-division.
FIFA is also bringing in a significant new appointment from outside. Dr Jan Kleiner is joining as Director of Football Regulatory from the beginning of July from Swiss law firm Bär & Karrer.
He will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience of the world outside FIFA. Bär & Karrer is where Michele Bernasconi, one of CAS’s most influential arbitrators, is a partner.
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