Asian Football Confederation convenes legal leaders to strengthen governance across the region

The AFC Legal Workshop 2026 brings together judicial experts, international sports law practitioners and regulatory specialists to advance integrity and fairness in Asian football.

The Asian Football Confederation has concluded a comprehensive legal workshop in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming its dedication to governance, integrity and the credibility of Asian football. Held over two days at the AFC House from 3rd to 4th November, the gathering assembled key representatives from the Confederation’s judicial bodies and legal committee, alongside invited speakers from UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as well as distinguished experts from the broader sports law community.

Opening the workshop, AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John emphasised the vital connection between regulatory fairness and the trust supporters place in the game. “By ensuring that our regulations are applied fairly, that decisions are made with integrity and that our competitions are governed responsibly, you help protect the credibility of Asian football and the trust that our fans place in us,” he said. “We must therefore be ready to keep up with the speed at which the modern game is evolving.”

The first day focused on disciplinary case law and regulatory developments, beginning with presentations from the AFC’s legal team examining issues including discrimination and gender eligibility. These were complemented by updates on global disciplinary practice from UEFA Legal Counsel Paul-Antoine Dumond and sports law practitioner Jaime Cambrelang. CAS Scientific Counsel Imen Larabi shared key insights from arbitration jurisprudence, while Brianna Quinn, Partner at Bird & Bird, addressed emerging developments in anti-doping regulation. Sessions also explored the legal complexities arising from technological and commercial innovation in football.

The second day broadened the scope to consider the evolving responsibilities of legal practitioners as sport navigates governance challenges alongside commercial and technological change. Marco Viliger, Founder and Managing Partner of MV Sports Consulting, shared perspectives on sports governance, whilst Andreas Krannich, Executive Vice President of Integrity and Regulatory Services at Sportradar, examined the regulatory challenges posed by betting and prediction markets. The programme also considered legal considerations surrounding the AFC’s commercial activities and data protection obligations for sports organisations, concluding with a round table discussion that allowed participants to reflect on the workshop’s central themes.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

As a cornerstone of international sporting governance in the region, the AFC’s commitment to strengthened legal frameworks and integrity standards reinforces the principles of fairness and transparency that underpin competitive sport across the Emirates. The workshop’s focus on emerging challenges reflects the evolving demands placed on sports organisations as the game transforms through technology and commerce.

The AFC’s emphasis on collaborative knowledge sharing and professional development among its judicial bodies strengthens the capacity of football administrators throughout Asia to uphold the highest standards of governance and ethical conduct, benefiting all stakeholders from players and clubs to supporters and governing bodies across the region.

Source: WAM