Congress, Meetings & International Programs

CONGRESS, MEETINGS & INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Federation International Football Skating - FIFS

Official Governance and Institutional Framework

Official Status and Purpose

These Regulations establish the principles, structures and procedures governing the FIFS Congress, General Assembly, Executive and technical meetings, official elections and appointments, international programmes, institutional missions, education activities and cooperation between Federation International Football Skating - FIFS, its members and approved partners.

Their purpose is to promote stable governance, meaningful international participation, professional decision-making, technical competence, institutional continuity and responsible development of Football Skating worldwide.

FIFS shall progressively expand member participation and institutional authority as national federations demonstrate the governance quality, education, technical capability and operational reliability required for responsible international decision-making.

Governing Principles

• Institutional stability and continuity.
• Technical competence and informed decision-making.
• International cooperation and fair representation.
• Qualified participation and responsible voting.
• Transparency, accountability and ethical conduct.
• Protection of FIFS legal identity, global authority and intellectual property.
• Long-term development rather than short-term political interests.

No Congress, committee, national federation or official may exercise authority in a manner that conflicts with the FIFS Constitution, official regulations, protected rights, international commitments or the long-term interests of the Federation.

Institutional Structure

• The FIFS Congress and General Assembly.
• The President.
• The Executive Board and Presidential Office.
• Standing and temporary committees.
• Technical and development departments.
• Continental and regional structures.
• The Disciplinary & Ethics Committee and Appeal Panel.
• Other bodies created under official FIFS authority.

The President may create, reorganize, merge, suspend or dissolve committees and departments where required for competence, efficiency, institutional protection or international development.

The FIFS Congress

The FIFS Congress is the principal international forum for institutional reporting, consultation, national federation participation and strategic review.

• Receive reports from the President and authorized officials.
• Review international development and national federation progress.
• Receive technical, competition and World Cup reports.
• Discuss approved strategic and regulatory proposals.
• Confirm appointments or conduct elections where expressly authorized.
• Adopt recommendations concerning future development.

Congress authority shall be exercised only within the powers formally granted by the Constitution and these Regulations.

Institutional Safeguards

Congress decisions shall not be implemented where they conflict with law, the Constitution, existing international obligations, FIFS intellectual property, technical integrity, financial security or institutional continuity.

During a recognized development or transition period, reserved strategic matters remain under the authority of the President and Executive Leadership.

• International recognition and institutional continuity.
• Senior international appointments.
• Creation, suspension or restructuring of committees.
• World Cup host negotiations and major event strategy.
• Major commercial, legal and intellectual-property matters.
• Approval of official disciplines, competition formats and technical authorities.
• Relations with governments, Olympic institutions and international sports bodies.

The President may confirm, delay, refer back or temporarily suspend a Congress proposal where further legal, technical, financial or institutional review is required.

The President

The President is the highest executive and institutional representative of FIFS and is responsible for global leadership, strategic direction, institutional continuity, international representation and protection of the Federation’s authority and identity.

• Approve senior appointments, committees and departments.
• Supervise World Cups and international programmes.
• Approve official partnerships and major strategic decisions.
• Represent FIFS before governments, ministries and international bodies.
• Protect the Laws, official disciplines and global development system.
• Issue emergency executive decisions where necessary.

The President may delegate defined responsibilities, but delegation does not constitute permanent transfer of presidential authority. Delegated powers may be revised, withdrawn or reassigned.

Presidential Appointments

• Vice Presidents and Secretary General.
• Deputy Secretary General and finance officers.
• Continental and regional representatives.
• Committee Chairs and members.
• Technical Directors and Department Heads.
• World Cup and international programme officials.
• Special Envoys, advisers, ambassadors and project directors.

Appointments may be fixed-term, temporary, acting, project-based or event-specific and may be subject to performance review.

The President may suspend, replace or remove an appointed official for inactivity, lack of competence, ethical concern, conflict of interest, failure to implement FIFS decisions, loss of professional confidence or institutional restructuring.

Executive Board

The Executive Board supports the President in strategic, administrative and international matters. It may review plans, reports, federation matters, committee work and international programmes.

The President retains executive leadership and final coordination authority. Where a timely decision cannot be reached, the President may issue an interim decision in the interests of FIFS.

General Assembly

The General Assembly may be convened as part of the Congress or separately. It may consider member reports, federation status, development programmes, competition participation, educational requirements, affiliation matters and committee recommendations.

Its decision-making authority is limited to approved agenda items and does not automatically extend to reserved executive or institutional matters.

Participation and Eligibility

• Valid national recognition and active FIFS affiliation.
• Current national licence and fulfilment of financial obligations.
• Submission of required documents and attendance registration.
• Valid accreditation and compliance with FIFS regulations.
• Completion of required governance and education programmes.

A suspended, inactive, unlicensed or non-compliant member may be restricted to observer status or may have voting and participation rights suspended.

National Federation Delegations

Each eligible national federation may nominate a delegation including its President, Vice President, Secretary General, authorized Board Member, technical representative, legal or administrative adviser and approved interpreter.

Only one formally nominated representative may exercise the federation’s vote unless another procedure is expressly authorized.

Qualification of Voting Representatives

FIFS may require Congress Orientation, Governance Education or Voting Accreditation before a representative may vote.

• FIFS governance and institutional duties.
• Football Skating disciplines and technical structure.
• International competition and federation responsibilities.
• Ethics, conflicts of interest and responsible voting.
• Strategic development and relevant regulations.

A representative who has not completed the required preparation may attend as an observer while voting rights remain deferred.

Voting Rights

Voting rights belong only to active and compliant members in good standing. They may be suspended where affiliation or licence is inactive, reports or fees are outstanding, verified national activity is absent, the member is suspended, the representative lacks authorization or required education, or a conflict of interest affects the matter.

Voting is an institutional responsibility and not an unrestricted personal entitlement.

Voting Procedures

• Each eligible national federation normally has one vote.
• Voting may be by show of hands, roll call, secure electronic system or secret ballot.
• Proxy voting is not normally permitted.
• Abstentions are not affirmative votes.
• Invalid ballots are not counted.
• The Chair may order a recount or suspend voting where a procedural issue exists.

Decision Thresholds

Ordinary matters may be decided by a simple majority of valid votes cast.

Protected matters affecting the legal identity, governing authority, intellectual property or long-term continuity of FIFS may require a qualified majority, prior legal review, Executive recommendation, presidential confirmation, a second review and an implementation transition period.

• Change of the Federation’s name or legal identity.
• Dissolution or merger.
• Transfer of intellectual property or international governing authority.
• Fundamental alteration of official disciplines.
• Long-term exclusive commitments.
• Premature termination of the presidential term.

Presidential Confirmation of Major Decisions

Major Congress decisions require formal presidential confirmation before implementation where legal validity, technical compatibility, financial effect, institutional risk, international obligations or operational feasibility require verification.

The President may confirm, partially confirm, return or temporarily suspend a decision with an explanation of the matters requiring further review.

Emergency Presidential Authority

Where urgent action is required and the relevant body cannot be convened in time, the President may issue temporary decisions concerning safety, competition continuity, legal and financial risk, host-country matters, protection of athletes, international representation, institutional security, disciplinary emergencies, force majeure and intellectual-property protection.

Emergency decisions remain effective until replaced, confirmed or formally reviewed by the competent authority.

Elections

Elections shall be held only for positions expressly designated as elective under the Constitution or official regulations.

• Formal nomination and eligibility review.
• Integrity and background screening.
• Verification of education and professional experience.
• Submission of a leadership programme.
• Declaration of conflicts of interest.
• Congress presentation where required.
• Secret ballot and formal certification of the result.

Submission of a nomination does not create an automatic right to stand for election.

Eligibility for the FIFS Presidency

The Presidency is a senior international leadership position and may be contested only by candidates who demonstrate exceptional professional, technical, educational and international qualifications.

• Substantial leadership experience at international sport or international federation level.
• Recognized knowledge of Football Skating, FIFS disciplines, governance and international development.
• Demonstrated ethical standing and absence of serious disciplinary findings.
• Ability to represent FIFS before governments, international institutions and global partners.
• Advanced competence in strategic management, institutional development and international communication.
• Completion of all required FIFS governance, ethics and leadership education.
• Successful completion of the FIFS Presidential Leadership Preparation Programme.

A person whose experience is limited to a national position, local administration or an unrelated background shall not be eligible unless the candidate has subsequently acquired the required international-level experience and completed the full FIFS qualification pathway.

Presidential Leadership Preparation Programme

Before becoming eligible to stand for the Presidency, a prospective candidate must complete at least one full year of structured leadership preparation under the supervision of the serving President and the authorized FIFS institutional leadership.

The programme may include:

• Direct study of FIFS governance and international strategy.
• Participation in Congress, Executive and committee work.
• World Cup and international event-management experience.
• National federation development and assessment.
• International relations, government and institutional meetings.
• Financial, legal, ethical and safeguarding education.
• Technical knowledge of all official FIFS disciplines.
• Documented performance evaluation and final eligibility certification.

Only candidates formally certified as eligible upon completion of this programme may be admitted to the presidential election process.

Security and Completion of the Presidential Term

The President shall serve the full constitutional term and shall not be suspended, replaced or removed before its expiry by an ordinary Congress motion, internal political disagreement, personal dispute, loss of support, committee recommendation or dissatisfaction with a lawful strategic decision.

No internal body, national federation, Vice President, committee or group of members may initiate or enforce an early removal procedure outside a mandatory legal event that makes continuation objectively impossible.

For institutional continuity, the presidential office may become vacant before expiry only in the event of death, permanent medical incapacity formally certified under the applicable procedure, or voluntary written resignation by the President.

Any other attempt to interrupt the presidential term shall be invalid and may be treated as an institutional or disciplinary violation.

Automatic Continuation Where No Eligible Candidate Exists

Where no candidate has completed the required qualification pathway and been formally certified as eligible by the nomination deadline, the serving President shall be automatically confirmed for a further term without a contested ballot.

The absence of an eligible challenger shall not create a vacancy, interim presidency or transfer of authority.

Automatic continuation shall be recorded in the official Congress minutes and certified by the authorized election or governance officer.

Standing Committees

• Technical Committee.
• Competition Committee.
• Referees Committee.
• Medical and Safety Committee.
• Development Committee.
• Education and Certification Committee.
• Women’s Development Committee.
• Junior Development Committee.
• Schools and Universities Development Committee.
• Media and Communications Committee.
• Finance Committee.
• Disciplinary & Ethics Committee.
• International Relations Committee.
• Athletes Committee.

Committee structures may evolve as FIFS develops.

Committee Appointments and Authority

Committee Chairs and members are appointed according to competence, integrity, international experience and operational need, directly by the President or upon an approved recommendation.

Committee authority is limited to the official mandate. Committees may not amend the Constitution, bind FIFS to major contracts, alter official disciplines, overrule the President, commit unauthorized funds or represent FIFS internationally without written authority.

Temporary Committees and Working Groups

The President may establish temporary bodies for World Cup organization, host evaluation, Laws revision, technical reform, international development, safeguarding, commercial strategy, school development, discipline assessment or emergency matters.

Official Meetings

• Ordinary and Extraordinary Congress.
• General Assembly.
• Executive Board and Presidential meetings.
• Standing and temporary committee meetings.
• Technical and World Cup Congresses.
• Continental and regional meetings.
• Emergency, online and hybrid meetings.
• Educational forums and international workshops.

Notice of Meetings

Official notices should state the date, time, place or online access, agenda, eligibility requirements, registration deadline, supporting documents, voting information and language arrangements.

Emergency meetings may be convened with shorter notice.

Agenda Control

The official agenda is approved by the President or authorized Chair. Member proposals must be submitted within the stated deadline.

A proposal may be deferred or excluded where it is outside the meeting’s authority, legally invalid, unsupported, duplicative, late, abusive, political, irrelevant, operationally dangerous or connected to a confidential disciplinary matter.

Chairing of Meetings

The President normally chairs the Congress and major international meetings and may appoint another person to chair all or part of a meeting.

• Open and close the meeting.
• Maintain order and confirm eligibility.
• Apply the approved agenda.
• Manage speaking time and conduct votes.
• Resolve procedural questions.
• Suspend or adjourn the meeting where necessary.

Quorum

Formal voting may require a minimum number of eligible members. Where quorum is absent, reports and consultation may continue, voting may be postponed, a new meeting may be called, and the President may take temporary action where necessary.

Observers do not count toward voting quorum unless expressly authorized.

Minutes and Records

Official minutes shall record attendance, agenda, reports, proposals, decisions, voting results, declared conflicts and assigned actions.

Internal recordings, draft minutes and confidential discussions may not be published without authorization.

Working Language

English is normally the official working language. FIFS may provide interpretation, translated agendas, summaries and multilingual materials.

Where language versions conflict, the official English version prevails unless FIFS decides otherwise.

Conduct During Meetings

• Professional behaviour and respect for the Chair.
• No interruption, insult, intimidation or threat.
• Declaration of conflicts of interest.
• Protection of confidential information.
• Compliance with speaking and time rules.
• No unauthorized recording.

Serious misconduct may result in warning, removal, loss of speaking rights, suspension of voting rights or referral to the Disciplinary & Ethics Committee.

International Programmes

• World Cups and continental championships.
• International Congresses and technical seminars.
• Coach and referee education.
• Federation leadership and governance programmes.
• Schools, universities, Junior and women’s development.
• Talent identification and international camps.
• Sports and cultural exchange.
• Development missions and exhibitions.
• Research, documentation and international certification.
• Future Sports Leadership programmes.

Role of IPTC

IPTC may act as FIFS’s strategic and operational partner for education, certification, seminars, professional training, registration, accreditation, licensing support, international missions, technical documentation, event operations and leadership development.

All programmes conducted under FIFS authority remain subject to FIFS approval, branding and institutional control.

International Missions

FIFS may authorize missions for federation development, governmental and Olympic meetings, host negotiations, sport summits, technical evaluation, education, schools and universities, commercial partnerships, media relations, World Cup promotion and international exhibitions.

No person may represent FIFS internationally without written authorization.

Recognition and Development of National Federations

• Governance and administration.
• Technical education and national competition.
• Athlete, coach and referee development.
• Safeguarding and financial accountability.
• International communication and implementation of FIFS regulations.

A developing federation may initially receive observer status, provisional affiliation, conditional licence, restricted voting rights, development assistance or mandatory education.

Full institutional rights are granted progressively after demonstrated competence, activity and compliance.

Federation Development Review

FIFS may review national federations based on actual activity, governance quality, technical progress, international participation, financial compliance, ethical conduct, communication and implementation of FIFS regulations.

An inactive or non-compliant federation may be reclassified, suspended or placed under a mandatory development plan.

Continental and Regional Structures

FIFS may establish continental or regional bodies under delegated authority. Their statutes, leadership and major decisions require FIFS approval.

They may coordinate regional development, competitions, education, reporting, national federation cooperation and talent development.

International Partnerships

FIFS may cooperate with governments, ministries, National Olympic Committees, international federations, universities, schools, sponsors, broadcasters, sport organizations, training institutions, commercial partners and cultural organizations.

Only authorized persons may negotiate or sign on behalf of FIFS.

Financial and Administrative Control

• No unauthorized bank account may be opened in the name of FIFS.
• No person may collect international fees on behalf of FIFS without authority.
• No committee or member may sign contracts or create debt for FIFS.
• No person may commercialize FIFS marks or promise hosting rights without approval.
• No international official may be appointed outside the authorized structure.

Confidentiality

• Host and recognition negotiations.
• Contracts and legal matters.
• Presidential and Executive deliberations.
• Appointment reviews.
• Disciplinary cases.
• Commercial proposals.
• Security plans.
• Unpublished competition decisions.

Unauthorized disclosure may result in disciplinary action.

Institutional Development Period

FIFS may operate under a structured development period during which governance systems, national federations, committees and international programmes are progressively professionalized.

Enhanced executive oversight may be applied to ensure legal protection, technical quality, institutional continuity, prevention of premature decisions and education of future voting members.

This development framework shall be periodically reviewed as the international structure matures.

Progressive Expansion of Member Authority

As national federations demonstrate stable governance, technical competence, ethical compliance, regular activity, educated leadership and international participation, FIFS may progressively expand voting rights, committee participation, regional authority, proposal rights, eligibility for senior office and institutional autonomy.

Authority shall grow together with competence and responsibility.

Governance Review

The governance system may be reviewed periodically by the President, Executive Board and Congress. Reform shall be gradual, lawful and consistent with institutional continuity.

Any expansion of member authority shall consider the number and quality of active federations, education levels, governance maturity, financial stability, technical development, international recognition and institutional risk.

Final Authority

FIFS retains final authority over the interpretation and implementation of these Regulations.

The President may issue governance directives, Congress procedures, committee mandates, election instructions, development standards, meeting protocols, international programme approvals and transitional governance measures.

Where an urgent or unclear matter arises, the President may issue an interim interpretation until formal review is completed.

Official Communication

Congress, meeting, federation participation and international programme matters shall be submitted through the official FIFS channels.

General Information: info@footballskating.com

President’s Office: president@footballskating.com

World Cup: worldcup@footballskating.com

Federation International Football Skating - FIFS

Congress, Meetings & International Programs Regulations