On 27 and 28 December 2017 Dubai hosted the twelfth edition of the Dubai International Sports Conference, when the attention of the football world shifted to the Emirates for one of the most anticipated events in the football calendar. The Conference is now established as a key platform for discussion on the global development of the game.

The Conference is held under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and is organized by Dubai Sports Council under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Dubai Sports Council.

The Conference has been conducted every year since 2006 and was established to bring together the leaders in all areas of football including chairmen, directors, referees, agents, players and coaches to share their expertise and experience during two days of workshops and presentations.
In 2017 the theme of the Conference was ‘Modern Investment in International Football’. FIFA president Gianni Infantino again headed the list of distinguished speakers who discussed and debated key topics which impact the future of football both regionally and globally.

In 2017, the first day of proceedings saw Javier Tebas Medrano, President of La Liga; Eric Wynalda – US Soccer Federation Presidential candidate; and Marco Brunelli, CEO of Serie A discussing Best Practice in Professional Football Leagues, followed by the coach of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, joining Egypt National team coach Hector Cuper and former manager of England and Russia Fabio Capello, to discuss Investing in the Youth Sector.

The first day concluded with Ferran Soriano, the highly innovative CEO of Manchester City; Vadim Vasilyev – AS Monaco Vice President; and Umberto Gandini – AS Roma CEO, addressing the Economic Impact of Football.

The second day saw Marcello Lippi – Coach of China, join Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina, and top international referee Felix Brych to discuss Football Development and the Impact of Technology.

Legendary players Francesco Totti and Carles Puyol, along with one of the UAE’s best players Ismail Matar, discussed Investment Strategies for Players – During and Post Career. In the final session of the Conference, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the Future of Investment in Football.

Conference Program 2017

The Dubai International Sports Conference has been organised every year since 2006 by the Dubai Sports Council under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Dubai Sports Council.

The Conference is a special initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, and was established to bring together the leaders in all areas of football including chairmen, directors, referees, agents, players and coaches to share their expertise and experience.

The Conference is now established as an important event on the world football calendar.

DAY 1 AGENDA

• 08h00 – 09h30Registration
• 09h30 – 11h00Professional Football Leagues Model
• 11h00 – 11h15Coffee Break
• 11h15 – 12h30Football Academies and Clubs Assets
• 12h30 – 12h45Coffee Break
• 12h45 – 14h15Clubs Successful Models

DAY 2 AGENDA

• 08h00 – 09h00Registration
• 09h00 – 10h15Football Technology Investment
• 10h15 – 10h30Coffee Break
• 10h30 – 11h45Football Players Business Plans
• 11h45 – 12h00Coffee Break
• 12h00 – 13h15Main session: Leadership Vision