About Sentinel Football Mediation
Sentinel’s Football Mediation services were established to assist those involved in disputes in the football industry.
Whilst arbitration and litigation remain an option for football stakeholders and participants in resolving disputes (dependent on the circumstances) these channels of dispute resolution are often very expensive and/or take an extended period before any judgement or settlement is established.
Through the application of ‘mediation’ Sentinel are positioned to help a multitude of football participants and stakeholders resolve their disputes quickly, confidentially and cost effectively.
Broad Experience in Football
With many years’ experience in the football (and sports) industry both at ‘grassroots’ and ‘professional’ level, the Sentinel mediation team have experience in undertaking a variety of roles from coach to player, club official to agent (intermediary) and also in key operational roles for representative football bodies.
This experience allows Sentinel’s Sports Mediation Team to not only have a better understanding of the nuances and complexities of the football industry that may result in a dispute, BUT ALSO enables us to demonstrate empathy and understanding towards football participants and stakeholders who may be caught up in a dispute (often unintentionally),
This alternative dispute resolution mechanism (mediation) allows the parties to put an end to their controversies with the assistance of a mediator in a swift and efficient manner.
As part of the constant effort to modernize and provide efficient service to parties and stakeholders, FIFA has recently included the possibility to solve the parties’ disputes through mediation.
Specialists in Football Agent Disputes
Sentinel are able to assist with the application of Mediation to a broad range of football related disputes. We have specific specialist knowledge and experience in matters relating to disputes that involve football agents (intermediary) and those matters related to football agent activity.
In January 2023 FIFA announced the reintroduction of the agents license along with new regulations governing agent and agent related activity, and whilst this should be seen as a positive sign we believe it may trigger another surge in disputes relating to agents and football agent activity. This is seemingly reinforced by the fact that FIFA have announced the introduction of an ‘Agent Chamber’ as part of FIFA’s Football Tribunal (disciplinary and dispute resolution) to solely deal with agent disputes of an international dimension.
Mediators Recognised By The CMC
Sentinel mediators are all recognised and qualified through the CMC (Civil Mediation Council) and/or the IMI (International Mediation Institute). This ensures mediators undertake CPD, follow established standards and employ a recognised complaints procedure.
In addition to this, Sentinel mediators have past experience in a variety of practical roles within football whether it be as club officials, agents, players or as officers of football related associations and bodies.
Mediation in Football
Given the nature of football in terms of its competitive (both on the pitch and off it) and increasingly lucrative nature; the grounds for disputes have grown as has the sport (and the industry).
Whilst disputes in football have grown in number, value and complexity; the means for resolving such disputes have arguably failed to develop in capacity at the same pace.
Through mediation, Sentinel are able to offer football participants a cost-effective, quick, impartial and confidential means to resolve their football disputes. In addition to this there is no winner and loser in mediation, we like to think of it as a ‘mutually beneficial draw in the group, stages allowing both teams to be content with a place in the next round’.
