International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) (Switzerland)
International Center for Sports Studies (CIES)C/o Hôtel DuPeyrou
Avenue du Peyrou 1
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
Tel. : +41 (0)32 718 3900
Fax : +41 (0)32 718 3901
E-mail : secretariat.cies@unine.ch
Website : http://www.cies.ch
The CIES team
President
Jean-Louis Juvet, Honorary Professor
Director
Denis Oswald, PhD in Law, Lawyer
E-mail : denis.oswald@unine.ch
General secretary
Patreck Blatter, Jurist, LL.M
E-mail : patreck.blatter@urine.ch
About CIES
The International Centre for Sports’ Study is a private foundation, affiliated with the University of Neuchâtel, created in 1995 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the University, the City and Canton of Neuchâtel. Its headquarters are in the Palais DuPeyrou in Neuchâtel.
Set up under the impetus of Mr. Joseph S. Blatter, current president of the FIFA, who has wished for a long time to see a closer collaboration between the sporting and academic worlds, the CIES specializes in three specific domains: law, sociology and the economy of sport (Main fields).
In privileging a pluridisciplinarian approach the CIES develops teaching activities and training (Academic), research (Research), as well as services related to the world of sport (Consultancy).
Education
FIFA Master
The FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport is a unique Sports (and not solely football...) Master programme, initiated by FIFA, coordinated by CIES, and taught by three prestigious European universities: De Monfort University (Leicester, UK), SDA Bocconi-School of Management (Milan, IT) and Neuchâtel University (Neuchâtel, CH).
Every year, from late September to early July, a truly international group, approximately 25-30 postgraduates from 15 to 20 different nationalities, takes part in this full-time course, which covers all the major issues that sports organisations face today, from social and ethical issues to the more traditional legal and business matters.
The links and connections with sports industry, through guest speakers, visits, projects, etc. perfectly complement the theoretical side of the course providing an overall balance and keeping the course in tune with the «real world».
Last, but certainly not least, a very active Alumni Association makes you feel part of a special family, not only during the time of your studies, but also long after graduation.
Master in Sports Law
For the academic year 2005/2006, a master in Sports Law has been implemented by the University of Neuchâtel. The goal is to allow students to complete and further traditional teaching in legal matters related to sport and to train specialist jurists to deal with sporting problematics/problems. To be sure, sport is not simply a leisure activity that generates employment; lectures are given by specialists of international standing such as Denis Oswald, who is also director of the CIES. The half –chair occupied by Oswald is complemented by courses in economic law, civil law and health law. Funding for all of these courses is covered by the FIFA.
(Courses are taught exclusively in French ; read a description of courses in the French version of our web site)
Research
The researchers linked with the CIES analyze sport phenomena from multiple angles, emphasizing three disciplines in particular: law, sociology and economics. The works in progress are both part of pure and applied research.
Library
Collection and Services
The specialized library of CIES offers documentation in the fields of Sports Law, Sociology and Economics of sport.
The collection is primarily intended for researchers and students who are studying at university level (Bachelor, Master, FIFA International Master in Management, Law, and Humanities of Sport, Master of Law with concentation in Sports Law, Doctoral studies).
Under continual development, it contains more than 2000 printed books, 20 titles of scientific periodicals, publications from sporting organizations, sports magazines, and more than 1000 specialized articles.
The access to several electronic periodicals and databases is provided on site, as well as access to the World Wide Web through a wireless network.
The documentation center offers a personalized help with documentary research.
Conferences
Each year the CIES organizes one or more congresses or colloquia on various current themes to which specialists from all over the world are invited. Colloquia reports are generally published in the Editions CIES.
Consultancy
Our Services
The CIES is at the disposal of federations, associations, clubs, sporting individuals and public institutions, to provide all forms of support :
- General advice on sports-related matters
- Consultancy, Research, Expertise
- Specific legal advice, Creation of contracts
- Teaching, On-going training
- Congresses, Seminars, Conferences
In addition to its own in-house knowledge base in sociology, law and economics, the CIES is actually supported by an international network of experts from the academic world as well as from many sporting organizations.
The CIES is therefore well qualified to undertake all kinds of services, either directly, or as a co-ordinator. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your projects.