On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) took a decisive step in modernizing its governance. Under the leadership of its President, Yacine Idriss Diallo , the federation officially established the Football Tribunal , a new specialized jurisdiction dedicated to resolving national contractual disputes.

A strengthened and specialized governance

Planned since the General Assembly in December 2024, this body aims to provide a credible and professional local regulatory framework. The objective is clear: to professionalize dispute resolution and limit the systematic recourse to international bodies such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The presidency of this new institution has been entrusted to Ms. Vonan Bi Thany Lou Tanan Esther , a senior magistrate, appointed for a four-year term. She will be supported by two vice-presidents overseeing the two pillars of the tribunal:

1. The Player and Agents Status Chamber.
2. The Dispute Resolution Chamber.

A balanced and equal composition

To ensure fairness, the Tribunal relies on a mixed structure combining legal expertise and practical realities:

1. Professional magistrates : For the rigor of the law.
2. Equal representation : 12 assessors in total, i.e. 6 representatives of clubs and 6 representatives of players from all divisions (Ligue 1, Ligue 2, D3 and women's football).

Areas of expertise

The Football Tribunal is now the reference body for handling all contractual disputes within the Ivorian ecosystem, particularly between:

1. Clubs and players (salaries, contract terminations);
2. Clubs and officials;
3. Players and agents;
4. Match organizers and other players in the industry.

“We wanted to make this jurisdiction a body truly dedicated to football, where legal practitioners sit alongside those involved on the ground.” — Yacine Idriss Diallo , President of the FIF.

The culmination of a vast reform project

This installation marks the culmination of reforms undertaken since 2020 by the current leadership team. Following the revision of the statutes, the electoral code, and the transfer regulations, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has finally established an independent judicial arm. This tribunal promises to deliver faster decisions, tailored to the specificities of local football, while respecting international standards of justice and transparency.