Scope
1. These regulations lay down global and binding rules concerning the status of players, their eligibility to participate in organised football, and their transfer between clubs belonging to different associations.
2. The transfer of players between clubs belonging to the same association is governed by specific regulations issued by the association concerned in accordance with article 1 paragraph 3 below, which must be approved by FIFA. Such regulations shall lay down rules for the settlement of disputes between clubs and players, in accordance with the principles stipulated in these regulations. Such regulations should also provide for a system to reward clubs affiliated to the relevant association investing in the training and education of young players. The use of an electronic domestic transfer system is a mandatory step for all national transfers of professional and amateur players (both male and female) within the scope of eleven-a-side football. A national transfer must be entered in the electronic domestic transfer system each time a player is to be registered with a new club within the same association. Any registration of a player for a new club without the use of the electronic domestic transfer system will be invalid. 3.
- a. The following provisions are binding at national level and must be included without modification in the association’s regulations: articles 2-8, 10, 11, 12bis, 18, 18 paragraph 7 (unless more favourable conditions are available pursuant to national law), 18bis, 18ter, 18quater (unless more favourable conditions are available pursuant to national law), 19 and 19bis.
- b. Each association shall include in its regulations appropriate means to protect contractual stability, paying due respect to mandatory national law and collective bargaining agreements. In particular, the following principles must be considered:
10. I. INTRODUCTORY PROVISION – article 13: the principle that contracts must be respected; – article 14: the principle that contracts may be terminated by either party without consequences where there is just cause; – article 15: the principle that contracts may be terminated by professionals with sporting just cause; – article 16: the principle that contracts cannot be terminated during the course of the season; – article 17 paragraphs 1 and 2: the principle that in the event of termination of contract without just cause, compensation shall be payable and that such compensation may be stipulated in the contract; – article 17 paragraphs 3-5: the principle that in the event of termination of contract without just cause, sporting sanctions shall be imposed on the party in breach.
4. These regulations also govern the release of players to association teams in accordance with the provisions of Annexe 1. These provisions are binding for all associations and clubs.
5. These regulations also include rules concerning contracts between coaches and professional clubs or associations (cf. Annexe 8).