Conference Details | International Bar Association

A conference presented by the IBA Young Lawyers' Committee and supported by the IBA Arb40 Subcommittee IBA Arbitration Committee, the IBA Sports Arbitration Subcommittee and the Association Franco-Marocaine des Avocats d’Affaires (AFMAA)

This session will examine the rapid rise of sports arbitration in Morocco and across the MENA region, as highlighted by the African Cup of Nations.

The growth of mega stadium and infrastructure projects, sponsorship and broadcasting agreements, and the increasing role of regional federations has led to a surge in sports-related disputes.

Featuring practitioners from Morocco and the MENA region, the panel will also focus on career development, exploring how young practitioners can break into sports disputes and why the strong nexus between sports arbitration and the Next Generation of arbitration lawyers positions them as particularly important.

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Programme

1830 – 1840 Opening remarks
Opening remarks addressing the development of sports arbitration in Morocco and the MENA region, recent institutional dynamics, and the growing relevance of arbitration in sports-related disputes.

Wissam Mghazli Managing Partner, Komon Avocats; Conference Quality Officer, IBA Young Lawyers' Committee
Zeina Obeid Partner, Obeid & Partners; Co-Chair, IBA Young Lawyers' Committee

1840 – 1855 Keynote address
Keynote presentation on the structural growth of sports arbitration in Morocco, including the impact of major sporting events, infrastructure projects, sponsorship and broadcasting agreements, and the increasing role of regional and international sports federations.

Keynote speaker
Iliass Segame Partner, Segame & Maalmi Avocats

1855 – 1945 Panel discussion
The panel will explore:
•   The rise of sports-related disputes in Morocco and across the MENA region
•   Key arbitration mechanisms and forums in sports disputes
•   Practical challenges for counsel and arbitrators in sports arbitration
•   Career development in sports arbitration and opportunities for the next generation of practitioners
•   The nexus between sports arbitration and broader international arbitration practice

Moderator
Munia El Harti Alonso Counsel, Ius + Aequitas Trial Lawyers; Energy Transition Projects Officer; IBA Oil and Gas Law Committee

Panellists
Siddharth Gosain Counsel (Sports & Arbitration), Muñoz y Arias Sports
Arno Janssens Counsel, Janssens Arbitration; Arab Regional Forum Liaison Officer, IBA Young Lawyers' Committee
Barry Lysaght Lysaght Sports Law

1945 – 2000 Interactive Q&A and closing
Audience questions and concluding remarks

International Bar Association is incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Corporation under the laws of the State of New York in the United States of America and is registered with the Department of State of the State of New York with registration number 071114000655 - and the liability of its members is limited. Its registered address in New York is c/o Capitol Services Inc, 1218 Central Avenue, Suite 100, Albany, New York 12205.

The London office of International Bar Association is registered in England and Wales as a branch with registration number FC028342.

The fundamentals of sports arbitration: Moroccan / MENA perspectives

25 Mar 2026 8 rue de l'Arcade , Paris, France

A conference presented by the IBA Young Lawyers' Committee and supported by the IBA Arb40 Subcommittee IBA Arbitration Committee, the IBA Sports Arbitration Subcommittee and the Association Franco-Marocaine des Avocats d’Affaires (AFMAA)