Overviews

Wondering who FIFA, UEFA and The FA are and what they do as football’s governing bodies? Maybe you are wondering where the Premier League and other football leagues sit with the governing bodies? Or maybe you want to know how and what penalties are given to a footballer when charged with misconduct? Whatever football institution or procedure, here you will find an overview to get the understanding you want.

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Football’s governing bodies

Football is governed in a pyramid structure, the apex being the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (“FIFA”) sitting atop the six continental federations, including the Union of European Football Associations (“UEFA”), which in turn sit atop the 211 national football associations, such as The Football Association (“The FA”), which are the governing bodies of football in their respective nations. The International Football Association Board (“The IFAB”) also sits amongst these governing bodies and is responsible for and guardian of the Laws of the Game. To find an overview of each of these governing bodies please click the links below.

FIFAThe international governing body of football founded in 1904 that is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, that tasks itself with, amongst other things, organising and promoting international football tournaments, promoting the game of football … — **FIFA**
The international governing body of football founded in 1904 that is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, that tasks itself with, amongst other things, organising and promoting international football tournaments, promoting the game of football globally and drawing up regulations and provisions governing the game of football and related matters.

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The IFABThe international body founded in 1866 that is made up of the four British football associations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and FIFA. The IFAB is responsible for and guardian of the Laws of the Game, which are the l… — **The IFAB**
The international body founded in 1866 that is made up of the four British football associations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and FIFA. The IFAB is responsible for and guardian of the Laws of the Game, which are the laws that set out, amongst other things, what amounts to a foul or misconduct, pitch dimensions, the offside rule and the duration of a football match.

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UEFAFounded in 1954, UEFA, as one of the six continental confederations of FIFA, is the governing body of European football, an association of the 55 national football associations across Europe, and tasks itself with, amongst other things, organisi… — **UEFA**
Founded in 1954, UEFA, as one of the six continental confederations of FIFA, is the governing body of European football, an association of the 55 national football associations across Europe, and tasks itself with, amongst other things, organising and conducting football competitions and tournaments at the European level and dealing with all questions relating to European football.

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The FAFounded in 1863, The FA is the oldest football association in the world. The FA is operated by The FA Board and The FA Council, is the governing body of English football from grass roots to the professional game, runs England’s football t… — **The FA**
Founded in 1863, The FA is the oldest football association in the world. The FA is operated by The FA Board and The FA Council, is the governing body of English football from grassroots to the professional game, runs England’s football teams and organises football competitions, such as The FA Cup and The Community Shield.

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English football league system

The four divisions of professional men’s football in England also operate in a pyramid structure, the Premier League at the apex, and then sequentially the EFL Championship, EFL League One and EFL League two, with promotion and relegation between the leagues. Similarly, the two divisions of professional (and semi-professional) women’s football in England operate in a pyramid structure, the FA Women’s Super League at the apex and then the FA Women’s Championship, with promotion and relegation between the leagues. To find an overview of each of these leagues please click the links below.

The Premier LeagueThe top league in English football and operated by a private company incorporated in 1992, The Football Association Premier League Limited (“FAPL”). The FAPL is wholly owned by the 20 member clubs who make up the Premier League at … — **The Premier League**
The top league in English football and operated by a private company incorporated in 1992, The Football Association Premier League Limited (“FAPL”). The FAPL is wholly owned by the 20 member clubs who make up the Premier League at any one time. The FAPL is responsible for the Rules of the FA Premier League, which provide for the organisation of the league competition, the distribution of revenues from the Premier League’s broadcasting and commercial contracts, and how the FAPL handles misconduct of its clubs and their players and officials.

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The English Football LeagueFormed in 1888 by its twelve founding members, the English Football League (“EFL”) consists of the EFL Championship, EFL League One and EFL League two. The EFL is also operated by a private company, the Football League Lim… — **The English Football League**
Formed in 1888 by its twelve founding members, the English Football League (“EFL”) consists of the following league competitions: EFL Championship, EFL League One and EFL League two. The EFL is operated by a private company, the Football League Limited. The EFL is responsible for the EFL Regulations, which provide for organising the league competitions, methods of how the EFL enters broadcasting and other commercial contracts, and how the EFL handles misconduct of its clubs, and their players and officials.

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The FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s ChampionshipBoth leagues are operated by The FA, in particular the Women’s Football Board and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship Board. Greater clarity was brought to women… — **The FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship**
Both leagues are operated by The FA, in particular by the Women’s Football Board and the FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship Board. Greater clarity was brought to women’s football following a restructure announced in 2017 and which resulted in the creation, or at least the rebranding and refinement, of these two leagues.

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Football’s procedures explained

It is not always clear why a certain penalty has been imposed on a player or manager for misconduct, or why a player’s transfer from one football club to another is taking so long. To find an overview of these procedures and more please click on the links below.

The Court of Arbitration for SportFIFA recognises the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) to resolve disputes between FIFA, member associations, confederations, leagues and so on. UEFA similarly recognises the CAS to resolve disputes between UEFA… — **The Court of Arbitration for Sport**
FIFA recognises the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) to resolve disputes between FIFA, member associations, confederations, leagues and so on. UEFA similarly recognises the CAS to resolve disputes between UEFA, member associations, leagues, clubs and so on. But does the CAS deal with all football disputes?

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Football disciplineA bad tackle, head-butting a player, an offensive remark, a flying kick into a football fan, a breach of financial rules – each have had repercussions for players, managers and football clubs. But where do you find the rules gover… — **Football discipline**
A bad tackle, crowd disruption, head-butting a player, an offensive remark – each have had repercussions for players, managers and football clubs. But where do you find the rules governing such matters and others, who decides the appropriate sanction, and can penalties be appealed or challenged?

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Football transfersThere is so much to consider in a player’s transfer from one football club to another that it is easy to be carried away with final announcement of a completed transfer rather than considering the time, preparation and negotiation … — **Football transfers**
There is so much to consider in a player’s transfer from one football club to another that it is easy to be carried away with final announcement of a completed transfer rather than considering the time, preparation and negotiation that goes on until that announcement.

*Coming soon*