Adnane El Khaili, CEO of El Khaili Law Firm, focuses on football disputes law, aiming to build a regional leader.
On November 29, 2025, during an award ceremony held in Madrid at the Four Seasons Hotel, Adnane El Khaili, CEO of El Khaili Law Firm in Morocco and Co-founder of Elite Legal Services Group in Doha, Qatar, received the “Best CEO Under 40 for 2025” title. The award came as a recognition of his professional activity in the legal field, alongside his growing interest in sports law.
A Developing Interest in Football Disputes
El Khaili is currently pursuing a PhD in Sports Law and has recently begun focusing more of his work on football-related legal disputes. His involvement so far includes matters related to player contracts, contractual disagreements, and sponsorship issues, as part of an effort to gain hands-on experience in a demanding and competitive area of law.
Rather than presenting himself as a leading figure in the field, El Khaili describes this phase as one of learning and professional development. He recognizes the complexity of football law, especially as it intersects with business, media rights, and international regulations. “The world of football law requires a deep understanding of not only legal principles but also the dynamics of sports culture, club operations, and player negotiations,” El Khaili explains. His continued studies and practical experiences reflect his belief that no legal expert can truly succeed in football law without immersing themselves fully in the sport’s business side.
Two Firms Built Gradually
He founded El Khaili Law Firm in Morocco before later establishing a legal services group in Qatar. Both firms operate across a range of legal services, with football-related cases gradually becoming a clearer part of their activity, without yet being their main specialization.
El Khaili’s initial venture into law came out of a desire to provide exceptional legal services to businesses and individuals in Morocco. Over time, the firm gained a reputation for its strong work in commercial law, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. His decision to expand into Qatar with Elite Legal Services Group marked a new phase in his career. This expansion allowed him to tap into the growing demand for legal services in the Middle East, particularly in the sports sector, where football is a prominent focus.
Long-Term Ambition
El Khaili says his goal is for his firms, over time, to become among the recognized offices handling football disputes in the region. To move in that direction, he is working on building a dedicated legal team and strengthening connections within the football sector.
El Khaili’s vision for the future includes growing his firms into top-tier legal service providers for football-related disputes. This will involve developing expertise in niche areas such as player transfer agreements, endorsements, and image rights management. Additionally, El Khaili is working to establish stronger connections with football clubs, international governing bodies, and other stakeholders in the sports industry. These relationships will be key in establishing his firms as leaders in the football law space.
A Competitive Field
Football disputes remain a highly competitive area, dominated by firms with long-established experience. El Khaili does not deny the difficulty of the path ahead, noting that the current stage is still about building a foundation rather than claiming a leading position.
Indeed, El Khaili’s journey is just beginning. The legal landscape in football is competitive, with firms in Europe and other regions well-established as industry leaders. However, the growth of football across the Middle East and North Africa presents an opportunity for emerging firms like El Khaili Law Firm and Elite Legal Services Group to establish themselves in this sector.
As the football industry continues to expand, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, El Khaili’s firms are well-positioned to take advantage of this growth. With an emphasis on gradual, steady progress and a focus on building the right expertise, El Khaili’s long-term goals are within reach.
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