Leadership change at the top of FIFA legal
Emilio García Silvero is leaving FIFA after more than eight years as chief legal and compliance officer. The organisation announced his departure on 6 November, saying he plans to return to Spain after 15 years working abroad. He joined FIFA following the 2018 World Cup and led its legal and compliance teams in Zurich and Miami.
García Silvero will return to Madrid, although his next professional role has not been disclosed. Jan Kleiner (pictured), FIFA’s director of football regulatory, will take interim charge of the legal and compliance division, according to Associated Press.
Kleiner joined FIFA in July 2022. His remit covers regulatory matters, including disputes, governance and compliance, the FIFA Clearing House, the Transfer Matching System and agents, with teams based in Miami, Zurich and Paris.
Previously, he was a partner at Bär & Karrer from May 2019 to June 2022, co-heading its sport, media, entertainment and data protection practices. Before that, he co-founded Swiss boutique Kleiner & Cavaliero. He has also lectured in international sports law at the University of Zurich since 2013.
