Ornella Desirée Bellia

Ornella Desirée Bellia serves as the Director of Professional Football Relations and Development at FIFA since September 2019, overseeing vital relationships with stakeholders such as clubs, players, and leagues. Bellia co-directs the FIFA Diploma in Club Management, aiming to enhance professional standards and sustainable business models in football. Prior experience includes roles as Head of Professional Football at Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea, lecturer across various prestigious programs in sports management and law, and Head of Legal Affairs at European Leagues, providing legal counsel to major leagues. Additionally, Bellia has functioned as a judge of the FIFA Players' Status Sub-Committee and as a legal consultant in multiple jurisdictions. Educational qualifications include an MBA in Sports Management and a Master of Laws in International Sports Law among others, reinforcing expertise in the field.