Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery and former Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti will be among the speakers at the 11th edition of the Dubai International Sports Conference.
Addressing key issues
The two-day conference will be held at Madinat Conference Centre on December 27-28 and will discuss key issues in football, with the focus this year being on governance in the modern game. Three sessions will be held each day, where prominent figures will offer their thoughts and share ideas.
Infantino in Dubai
The head of football’s governing body, Infantino, is expected to present an overview of programmes he is hoping to put into action with Fifa, including a new format for the World Cup and fresh take on the Club World Cup.
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Big-time managers
A stellar line-up of managers – at club and international levels – are expected to participate including Unai Emery of French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain. Joining him are Portugal’s Euro 2016-clinching Fernando Santos and Fabio Capello, who has helmed such sides as Real Madrid, Juventus and England.
Other notable names
Javier Zanetti, the former Inter Milan defender and Argentina’s most-capped player, will headline the event. There will also be English referee Mark Clattenburg, who officiated the finals of 2016 Uefa Champions League and the Euro 2016. Other attendees include former referee Pierluigi Collina, and footballers Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon and Mohamed Salah of Egypt.
Globe Soccer Awards
The centerpiece of the event will be the Globe Soccer Awards that, into its seventh edition, was instituted to recognise the outstanding contributors to football. Nominees for this year’s Player of the Year award include Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and the Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.
* The National staff
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