Calls for improved legal education in football have escalated since the 2025 Football Law Annual Moot (FLAM), highlighting the necessity for clubs, managers, and academies to deepen their comprehension of contractual and regulatory frameworks. Leading sports attorneys from across the world gathered in Abuja to talk about the increasing legal issues facing the sport, especially those pertaining to player rights protection and contract stability. The seminar, which was organized by lawyer Pius Ndubuokwu and had as its theme “The Role of International Arbitral Tribunals in Maintaining Contractual Stability in Football,” brought attention to the vulnerabilities that Nigerian players who compete outside confront.According to Ndubuokwu, over 17,200 Nigerian footballers have moved abroad in the last ten years, and over 30% of them have had contract violations; nevertheless, 80–90% of them were not aware of these infractions. He emphasized how important it is for the larger football ecosystem to educate players about their legal rights. Football is built on contracts. Players, teams, and agents are all at risk if they are not aware of the law. Enhancing legal education is essential because it supports the entire sector, according to Ndubuokwu. Veteran arbiter Ricardo de Buen of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) shared these worries, pointing out that many players are left vulnerable due to limited access to legal advice in their own countries. He continued, “By developing local legal capacity, we enable attorneys to effectively support athletes and clubs, ensuring fair outcomes in domestic and international disputes.”
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