Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq.), General Secretary of the Football Association, has participated in his first FIFA Legal Committee meeting following his appointment to the prestigious body.
The meeting was held in Doha, Qatar, and came on the heels of the plenary sessions of all FIFA Standing Committees, convened under the guidance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström. The high-level gathering brought together senior FIFA officials and renowned football figures, including FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina, and FIFA Council member Gelson Fernandes.
The FIFA Legal Committee is one of FIFA’s key advisory bodies to the FIFA Council. It plays a critical role in interpreting FIFA statutes, developing and reviewing regulations—such as those governing the FIFA Clearing House—and overseeing governance-related matters to safeguard fairness, transparency, and legal integrity across the global game. The committee also supports FIFA in managing its legal portfolio and strengthening good governance practices worldwide.
The Doha meeting was chaired by Elvis Chetty, lawyer and President of the Seychelles Football Federation, with Michael Llamas, Attorney General for Gibraltar and President of the Gibraltar Football Association, serving as Deputy Chair. The committee’s membership includes a diverse group of football administrators and legal professionals, among them Ghana’s Prosper Harrison Addo, Zambia Football Association President Keith Mweemba, and Malawi’s Fellister Dossi.
All members are serving four-year terms from 2025 to 2029, during which they will provide strategic legal guidance on FIFA statutes, regulations, and governance frameworks. The committee works closely with FIFA’s legal leadership, including Chief Legal Officer Emilio Garcia Silvero, to ensure that FIFA’s regulatory and governance systems continue to meet the highest international standards.
The Key Functions & Responsibilities:
· Advisory Role: Provides legal guidance to the FIFA Council on all matters, including statutory interpretation and regulatory frameworks.
· Governance: Assists in upholding principles of good governance, transparency, and compliance within football.
· Statutory Interpretation: Clarifies FIFA's governing documents, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.
· Regulatory Development: Contributes to new rules, such as those for the FIFA Clearing House.
· Legal Portfolio: Manages FIFA's involvement in cases before courts like the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The committee operates under the FIFA Statutes and supports FIFA's broader strategic objectives for the sport