Pepeliaev Group continues to play a prominent role in preparations for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Recently, it was the firm's customs lawyers who were in focus, with the publication of two important Decisions they worked

Acting for FIFA, they assisted in drafting two Decisions of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). These instruments were needed to allow goods to be imported and exported during the organisation and holding of the 2018 World Cup, as well as this year's Confederations Cup.

Decision No. 151 of the EEC Board was published on 3 March and deals with the import and export of goods for the two tournaments. This was followed on 21 March by the publication of Decision No. 165, which has modified the categories of goods in respect of which a special customs procedure may be established as well as the conditions for such customs procedure to apply.

We took the lead in developing the concept and drafting the documents. We then had to gain approval for them from the Russian Government and relevant federal executive authorities, before undertaking the same task with experts of the EEC dedicated departments and the relevant public officials from the other EEU member states.

The purpose of the Decisions was to give effect to the obligations the Russian Government has undertaken with a view to Russia hosting next year's World Cup and this year's Confederations Cup. The Decisions, in essence, take the two tournaments outside the scope of various customs payments and restrictions. These legal instruments streamline procedures for the customs declaration and customs control of goods.

In the context of holding large international sports competitions, it is crucial to cut down administrative barriers, to keep costs incurred by the organisers and participants to a minimum, and to ensure that the legal regulation operates clearly. To this end, the special customs procedure can be applied flexibly to the two tournaments, in line with both global practice and the knowledge gained from Russia's extensive prior experience of hosting international sporting events.

As FIFA's Russian counsel, Pepeliaev Group is at the forefront of legal preparations for the 2017 Confederations Cup and the 2018 World Cup. As a result, practice groups across the firm join our customs team in working on the project. Our lawyers are also busy with tax commercial, and IP matters, among others.