The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) concluded a three-day Club Licensing Instructors and Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP) Experts Workshop 2024.

The event, which brought together thirty-three (33) selected candidates, was organised at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, and was the first of its kind since 2017.

Following the launch of the new CAF Club Licensing regulatory framework, as well as the CAF Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP) in 2022, the Club Licensing System has embraced significant changes in its application and operation, resulting in the need for CAF to update the technical resources. The objective of the workshop was to focus on the training of potential candidates who could be assigned by CAF to impart knowledge and expertise on club licensing support missions, and conduct training related to the usage of the CLOP.

The workshop featured topics on the CAF Club Licensing regulatory framework, the CAF Club Licensing Strategy and its implementation at the national level, women´s football national competitions development, and in-depth training on the usage of the CLOP. Another key aspect addressed during the workshop was the clarity on CAF Instructors and Experts' role and code of conduct when assigned to CAF official missions.

CAF Head of Professional Football, Muhammad Sidat, highlighted the importance of the forum and said:

"The Club Licensing System had its inception in the African football landscape back in 2012, and since then, it has gone through an evolutive process. In 2022, CAF rolled out major changes to the Club Licensing System regulatory framework and introduced the CAF Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP), an electronic tool system designed to manage the licensing process online. As a result, there was a need to train a new generation of Club Licensing Instructors and CLOP Experts to face the new demands of the system and support CAF in its quest to properly implement club licensing in our member associations."

The 33 candidates were subject to a written exam, group presentation and CLOP usage assessment during the workshop.Subsequently, CAF will select from among the candidates CAF Club Licensing Instructors and CAF CLOP Experts for the next cycle (2024-27).

Understanding the Role of CAF Club Licensing Instructors and CLOP Experts

As part of its support program to the member associations, leagues, and clubs, CAF organises tailor-made missions to assist with the implementation of the Club Licensing System at continental and domestic level. The CAF Club Licensing Instructors and CLOP Experts are football professionals and administrators which are usually engaged by CAF on a consultancy basis to impart knowledge and expertise on CAF Professional Football missions across the CAF Member Associations, helping them to implement a club licensing process in line with CAF regulations.