Representing FIFA's interests in work on a range of regulations

On March 3 and 21 respectively, the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) officially published its Decision No. 151 On importing (exporting) goods for the purposes of organising and holding the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and Decision No. 165 On amending the list of categories of goods in respect of which a special customs procedure may be established and the terms and conditions for such goods to be placed under the customs procedure both dated 18 October 2016. These decisions were adopted to ensure compliance by the Russian Government with the obligations it has assumed to hold the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup with respect to granting an exemption from import customs duties, taxes and charges. They also ensure that simplified procedures are applied when goods that are imported with a view to organising and holding the World Cup are declared at customs and undergo customs control. The decisions allow for the taking into account of special aspects arising in the management of large international sports competitions, the removal of administrative barriers and related costs incurred by the organisers and participants of sports events, and the clarification of certain matters related to legal regulation. They will ensure more flexible application of the special customs procedure with respect to the sports events, given the international practice and the experience of holding such events in Russia. Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers have represented FIFA’s interests having worked on these regulations, from the very outset developing their concept and producing drafts. In the course of implementing this project, the firm’s lawyers have acquired tremendous experience of agreeing the decisions with the parties involved: Russian Federal authorities, government commissions, core EEC departments, and state authorities of other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.