sfa handbook 201-280 registration procedures

registration procedures

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RegistRation PRoceduRes

A PreAmble, Definitions AnD interPretAtion

1. these procedures (“procedures”) are to be read in conjunction with FiFa regulations for the status and transfer of players which are set out at annex a hereto as may be amended by FiFa from time to time (“FiFa regulations”) and with the rules of the competition in which a player is playing.

2. Where competition rules conflict with these procedures, then these procedures shall take precedence.

3. references herein to rules are to the rules set out in these procedures.

4. terms herein referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. any term in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.

5. references herein to the articles are to the articles of association of the scottish Fa (as defined in the articles).

6. notwithstanding any other provision of these procedures which are applicable to them, registered members (as defined in the articles) who are also in membership of the scottish Football League or scottish premier League shall be entitled to register players only in accordance with any and all additional terms and conditions as are prescribed by the Board from time to time.

7. no player shall be entitled to play association Football in scotland under the auspices of the scottish Fa unless they are registered with the scottish Fa in accordance with these procedures.

8. notwithstanding registration by the scottish Fa in terms of these procedures, clubs also have to comply with the appropriate registration procedures in place for competitions in which they compete.

9. notwithstanding registration by the scottish Fa in terms of these procedures clubs have to comply with relevant employment legislation in force from time to time including but not limited to (where relevant) the endorsement requirements which are set out at annex B hereto as may be amended from time to time.

10. For the purposes of these procedures (unless otherwise specifically stated herein), the terms set out below are defined as follows:


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Definitions – Registration Procedures

accredited official Means authorised club signatory.

affiliated associations Means an association which is in full membership or associate membership of the scottish Fa, other than an affiliated national association;

affilliated national associations Means each of the scottish amateur F.a, the scottish Junior F.a, the scottish schools’ F.a, the scottish Welfare F.a, scottish Women’s Football and the scottish Youth F.a;

agreement between club and player Means the agreement between player and club as set out in annex e;

amateur shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the articles;

association Football Means any football played under the jurisdiction of FiFa and in accordance with the Laws of the game;

Board Means the board of directors of the scottish Fa which shall comprise all of the directors from time to time, as constituted in accordance with these articles;

clubs Means football clubs playing association Football in accordance with the provisions set out in the articles;

club academy scotland Means performance based youth football development programme organised and managed by the scottish Fa for clubs in membership of the scottish premier League and scottish Football League;

club academy scotland programme Means the approved programme for clubs participating in club academy scotland;

club extranet Means the web based application for member clubs to access the scottish Fa website and databases;

competition rules Means rules specific to a particular competition;

compliance officer Means the compliance officer who shall have general responsibility for observance by all those involved in association Football in scotland, of


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the disciplinary rules, including offering fixed term suspensions to players and team staff where provided in the protocol and the pursuit of proceedings before tribunals for enforcement of the disciplinary rules, except where enforcement is otherwise provided for in the protocol;

disciplinary procedures Means the disciplinary procedures of the scottish Fa to deal with incidents and/or acts of misconduct occurring at or in the environs of or association with a match forming part of the Judicial panel protocol;

domestically Means association Football played within scotland;

east of scotland Football League Means the unincorporated association of football clubs called the east of scotland Football League;

end of season procedures Means instructions issued to clubs by the scottish Fa for the retention and release of players at the end of each season;

FiFa Means Federation of international Football associations;

FiFa international transfer certificate Means a certificate issued between national associations when a player moves from one country to another confirming his eligibility to pursue his sporting career with his new club;

FiFa regulations Means the FiFa regulations for the status and transfer of players as set out in annex a;

internationally Means when a player moves from one club to another, both clubs being in membership of different national associations;

Judicial panel protocol Means the protocol relating to the operation of the Judicial panel promulgated by the Board from time to time in accordance with the articles, which will incorporate the disciplinary procedures and will also set out disciplinary rules;

Junior club Means a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa;

non-recreational Means football in which participating players may have a written contract;


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non-recreational player registration Form Means the player registration Form as set out in annex c;

official matches Means solely for the purpose of the registration procedures a competitive match involving a club’s first team;

online registration procedures Means the process in which a club may register player via the web-based application for the registration of players;

parent club Means the club which holds the main registration of a temporary transfer player;

player Means a player participating in association Football under the jurisdiction of the scottish Fa;

players’ agent Means a person holding a current agent’s license issued by the scottish Fa who for reward represents, negotiates on behalf of, advises or otherwise acts for a player or a member of club in the context of either the transfer of a player’s registration or the terms of a current or proposed contract between a player and a member club;

player passport Means playing history of the player from the season of his 12th birthday indicating the club(s) he has played with;

procedures Means the registration procedures promulgated by the Board from time to time in connection with the registration of players and also the team officials (if the Board elects to extend such procedures to apply to them);

professional shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the articles;

professional game Board Means the body with that name formed in accordance with the articles of association;

recognised Football Body Means an affiliated association, an affiliated national association or an association, league or other combination of clubs, players, officials or referees formed with the consent of the scottish Fa in terms of the articles, or such bodies or persons as may be formed with the consent of an affiliated national association in terms of the articles;


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recreational Football Means any football played under the jurisdiction of an affiliated national association other than the scottish Junior F.a;

recreational player registration Form Means the form used to register a player for a club in membership of an affiliated national association other than the scottish Junior Fa;

registration periods Means two periods fixed by the Board for the registering of professional players;

registration procedures Means the procedures promulgated by the Board from time to time in connection with the registration of players and also the team officials (if the Board elects to extend such procedures to apply to them);

scottish Fa Means the scottish Football association Limited (company number sc005453) whose registered office is at Hampden park, glasgow g42 9aY;

scottish Fa declaration Form Means the declaration Form as set out in annex F;

school Leaving age as defined by the relevant authority from time to time;

scottish Football League Means the unincorporated association of football clubs called the scottish Football League, having its principal office at Hampden park, glasgow g42 9aB;

scottish Highland Football League Means the unincorporated association of football clubs called the scottish Highland Football League;

scottish Highland Football League Means the Youth development initiative Youth initiative organised and regulated by the scottish Highland Football League;

scottish premier League Means the combination of association football clubs known as the scottish premier League, operating under and administered and managed by the scottish premier League Limited, a company incorporated under the companies act 1985 (registered no. 175364) and having its registered office at Hampden park, glasgow g42 9de and any successor thereto from time to time; where the context admits, references in these articles to the scottish premier League shall be deemed to include the scottish premier League Limited;


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scottish premier League under 20 League Means an under 20 League for each season organised by the scottish premier League Board;

secretary Means the secretary of the scottish Fa appointed by the Board in accordance with the articles and shall include, subject to the provisions of an act, an assistant or deputy secretary appointed in terms of the articles;

senior club Means a club participating in non-recreational Football;

south of scotland Football League Means the unincorporated association of football clubs called the south of scotland Football League;

special dispensation Means dispensation to sanction an application for registration of a professional player outwith an open window period with scottish Fa Board approval;

summer season Means a season starting February/ March/april and finishing later that year;

team official Means the manager, assistant manager or first team coach (or equivalent as applicable) of a club;

team official Form Means the form as prescribed by the Board from time to time to be submitted by the club giving details of the team official in accordance with articles 5.3 and 10;

transfer Form Means the transfer Form as set out in annex d;

ueFa Means union of european Football associations;

Winter season Means a season starting in July/august and finishing the following May;

Youth player Means a player of amateur status who is registered upon a Youth form for a club in membership of the scottish Fa.


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b GenerAl Provisions

1. REGISTRATION PERIODS

registration periods will apply to professional players (as defined in the FiFa regulations) who compete in football at scottish premier League and scottish Football League level. the registration periods will not apply to amateur players (as defined in the FiFa regulations).

1.1 to those clubs to which registration periods apply, a professional player may only be registered to play for such a club during one of two registration periods per year as determined by the Board from time to time. notwithstanding the foregoing provision, a professional player who has failed to find employment during a registration period may sign and be registered for a club outwith the registration periods.

1.2 internationally and domestically, a professional player may be registered with a maximum of three clubs to which registration periods apply during one playing season. notwithstanding the foregoing the professional player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs, to which registration periods apply, in any one playing season.

1.3 the scottish Fa will effect the registration of professional players during two

registration periods and will provide the club for which the professional player is registered with a player passport indicating the club(s) said player has been registered with since his 12th birthday.

1.4 the scottish Fa may in its absolute discretion, in exceptional circumstances, sanction an application for registration of a professional player outwith the registration periods subject to specific conditions, Board approval and, where required, approval of FiFa.

1.5 disputes:

1.5.1 any dispute regarding the application of registration periods domestically will be dealt with by the Board.

1.5.2 any dispute regarding the application of registration periods internationally will be dealt with by FiFa in accordance with the FiFa regulations.

C Provisions APPliCAble to non-reCreAtionAl footbAll reGistrAtion

2. NON-RECREATIONAL FOOTBALL 2.1 non-recreational player registration Form to be used by clubs in full and associate

membership of the scottish Fa, clubs in membership of affiliated associations and scottish Junior Fa clubs (all as defined in the articles and, collectively, hereinafter referred to as non recreational clubs) to register players upon a contract, non-contract, amateur or youth basis.

2.2 non-recreational player registration – contract – definition and terms and conditions


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2.2.1 provided that it is during a registration period or special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4 every player who has entered into an agreement with a non recreational club providing for payment to him of wages shall be registered with the scottish Fa upon a non-recreational player registration Form. an amateur player upon signing this type of form acquires the status of a professional player.

2.2.2 a player who has not attained school Leaving age shall not be registered with the scottish Fa upon a non-recreational player registration Form.

2.2.3 the registration of a player, who is under 18 years of age at the date of signing a non-recreational player registration Form may be for a period not exceeding 3 years. any clause referring to a longer duration within the relative agreement between the player and the club shall not be recognised and the player’s registration only effected for a period of no more than 3 years.

2.2.4 the registration of a player who is 18 years of age and over at the date of signing a non-recreational player registration Form may be for a period up to but not exceeding 5 years. agreements of any other length shall only be permitted if consistent with national laws.

2.2.5 a non-recreational player registration Form will not be valid unless it is accompanied by the contract entered into between the club concerned and the player stating all the terms and conditions in conformity with rule 4.

2.2.6 a registration of a player by means of a non-recreational player registration Form shall be binding on the player and club until the date on which the agreement between the club and the player terminates unless cancelled at an earlier date in accordance with rule 2.10.

2.2.7 such registration shall remain effective and binding on the player and the club if a new agreement is concluded and is properly lodged with the secretary in accordance with the procedures not later than the date on which an existing agreement terminates.

2.3 non-recreational player registration – non-contract– definition and terms and conditions

2.3.1 provided that it is during a registration period or special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4 a non recreational club may register a professional player by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - non-contract. clubs in membership of the scottish premier League and scottish Football Leagues are not eligible to register a player upon this type of registration.

2.3.2 a professional player registered upon this type of registration form shall not be paid for his playing activities and therefore it shall be an offence to pay a player upon this type of registration a signing on fee, a weekly wage or any payment more than the expenses he effectively incurs in return for his footballing activity.

2.3.3 a player who is registered for a club upon this type of registration form may, within one month prior to the end of the season in which registered, sign and be registered for the same club for the following season.


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2.3.4 unless re-registered pursuant to rule 2.3.3, the registration of a professional player with a club upon this type of registration form will lapse automatically at the end of the season in which he signed the form and the player will be free to sign for the club of his choice thereafter.

2.4 non-recreational player registration – amateur – definition and terms and conditions

2.4.1 an amateur player may be registered by a non-recreational club upon this type of form. the application of registration periods, domestically, does not apply to this type of registration.

2.4.2 an amateur player signing this form shall not be paid more than the expenses he effectively incurs in return for his footballing activity.

2.4.3 a player who is registered for a club upon this type of registration form may, within one month prior to the end of the season in which registered, sign and be registered for the same club for the following season.

2.4.4 unless re-registered pursuant to rule 2.4.3, the registration of an amateur player with a club upon this type of registration form will lapse automatically at the end of the season in which he signed the form and the player will be free to sign for the club of his choice thereafter.

2.5 non-recreational player registration – Youth – definition and terms and conditions

2.5.1 a player qualified by age as stipulated under this rule 2.5 may be registered upon this type of registration form by a non-recreational club the application of registration periods, domestically, does not apply to this type of registration.

2.5.2 Where applicable registration utilising this type of form shall also be subject to scottish Junior Fa rules and any agreement that may be in place between the scottish Junior Fa and scottish Youth Fa.

2.5.3 a player who has attained 10 years of age is eligible to sign and be registered with the scottish Fa upon this type of form. to be valid the registration form should also be accompanied by the scottish Fa’s declaration Form duly completed and signed by the player, the player’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/carer(s) and an accredited official of the club.

2.5.4 the qualifying date for each age group is a player born on or after 1st January of the appropriate year up to and including age group 17. By way of example only, in relation to season 2012/2013:

age group 12 – born on or after 1st January, 2001 and not after 31st december, 2001 age group 13 – born on or after 1st January, 2000 and not after 31st december, 2000

2.5.5 a player who is registered upon this type of form for a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association may also play for his school team subject to the policy and discretion of the club for which he has signed, the detail of such policy having been clearly communicated to the player and his parents prior to signing the registration form.


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2.5.6 a club participating in the scottish Highland Football League Youth development initiative may sign and register a player of a scottish Youth Fa club and such a player will be eligible to play for the Highland Football League club and the scottish Youth Fa club subject to the terms and conditions of any existing agreement between the scottish Highland Football League and scottish Youth Fa.

2.5.7 a club competing within the club academy scotland programme is permitted to sign and register up to a maximum of twenty players in each age group at any one time.

2.5.8 a club which does not compete within the club academy scotland programme may sign up to a maximum of twenty players in total.

2.5.9 the registration of a player with a club upon this type of registration for age groups 10 through to 14 will lapse automatically at the end of the season in which the player signed the form and the player will be free to sign for the club of his choice thereafter.

2.5.10 registration at age group 15 allows a club should it wish and providing it has conformed to rule 2.5.16 to bring the player’s registration forward to age group 16 for the following season on the existing registration form.

2.5.11 registration at age group 16 allows a club should it wish and providing it has conformed to rule 2.5.16 to bring the player’s registration forward for the following and final season at Youth level upon this form at age group 17 on the existing registration form.

2.5.12 a player who is registered for a club upon this type of registration form may, within one month prior to the end of the season of expiry of his registration sign and be registered for that club for the following season unless his current registration is at age group 17 in which case the registration will lapse at the end of that season unless cancelled at an earlier date under the terms of rule 2.12.

2.5.13 to be valid the registration of a player upon this type of form who has not yet attained 16 years of age at the date of signing must in all cases be signed by the player’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/carer(s) in accordance with rule 2.6.

2.5.14 should a player aged 10 or 11 registered upon this type of form have his registration cancelled at the request of the player’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/carer(s) then such a player will not be eligible to sign another non-recreational player registration Form for any club participating in the club academy scotland programme during the course of the remainder of the season of cancellation. the foregoing provision shall be subject to the discretion of the scottish Fa which may (in exceptional circumstances) allow said player to sign such form.

2.5.15 a club shall not, either directly or indirectly, make any approach to or communicate with a player who is registered upon a non-recreational player registration Form -Youth for any club participating within the club academy scotland programme nor should a player who is registered upon a non-recreational player registration Form - Youth for a club participating within the club academy scotland programme, either directly or indirectly, make any approach to another club.


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2.5.16 end of season procedures – Youth registration

2.5.16.1 not later than 30th June in the playing season of signing at age group 14 and below the club shall by recorded delivery and, in accordance with the online registration procedures advise the scottish Fa, the player, his parent(s)/guardian(s)/carer(s) and any other recognised football body where applicable, of any offer of a further period of registration made to the player.

2.5.16.2 not later than 30th June in the playing season of signing at age group 15 the club shall by

recorded delivery and, in accordance with the online registration procedures, advise the scottish Fa, the player, his parent(s)/guardian(s)/carer(s) and any other recognised football body where applicable confirming whether a player’s registration is to be continued for the following season. this procedure must also be carried out if a club intends to continue a player’s registration from age group 16 to 17. Failure to advise the scottish Fa in writing will result in a player’s registration lapsing.

non reCreAtionAl PlAyer reGistrAtion form – GenerAl Provisions

2.6 completion of Form

2.6.1 Before a player signs a non-recreational player registration Form, the club concerned shall ensure all of the details including the date of signing are accurate and have been properly inserted.

2.6.2 the player’s signature and that of the secretary or other accredited official of the club shall be witnessed by another party and in the case of a player who has not attained the actual age of 16 at the date of signing then the signature of the player’s parent(s) or guardian(s)/carer(s) is also required.

2.6.3 the player’s status must be stated upon the form together with the type of registration clearly indicated in the appropriate tick box.

2.6.4 all fields must be completed. Failure to do so will result in the form being deemed to be invalid and the registration not being completed.

2.7 Validity of Form

2.7.1 the form must comply with the provisions of these procedures and must be lodged within 14 days after the date of signing in the case of a club in full or associate membership or in membership of an affiliated association.

2.7.2 notwithstanding rule 2.7.1., in the case of a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa the form must be submitted within 3 days (saturday and sunday excluded) after the date of signing.

2.7.3 the club concerned shall be issued with written or electronic confirmation of registration from the scottish Fa acknowledging the validity of the non – recreational player registration Form and the accompanying agreement where applicable. the club will have access to the player passport history in accordance with the FiFa regulations via the club extranet.


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2.7.4 a non-recreational player registration Form, which is lodged with the secretary and which for any reason is found to be unacceptable shall be considered to be invalid and shall be retained by the secretary.

2.7.5 a player who fails to comply with or has not complied with policies, as may be promulgated by the Board from time to time, may not sign a registration form.

2.8 eligibility to play

2.8.1 a player who is registered by means of a non-recreational player registration Form, may only play:

2.8.1.1 for the club for which he is registered;

2.8.1.2 for any authorised club in a friendly match provided that he is otherwise eligible to do so and provided that the written authorisation of the club for which he is registered is lodged with the secretary before such match;

2.8.1.3. for his parent club in the scottish premier League under 20 League whilst on temporary transfer to another club;

2.8.1.4 for a representative team selected and organised by a recognised football body having jurisdiction over all the professional players in the team;

2.8.1.5 in any circumstances governed by agreement, in relation to a player on a non-recreational registration Form - Youth between the scottish Highland Football League, east of scotland League, south of scotland League or scottish Junior Fa and any other affiliated national association provided that the terms of such agreement are not contrary to the articles and these procedures and subject to the scottish Fa’s permission having been received. a player on a non-recreational player registration Form - Youth may play in schools football subject to rule 2.5.5.

2.8.1.6 a player after signing a non-recreational player registration Form shall not play until such form has been properly completed and acknowledged, as valid by the secretary;

2.8.1.7 a player shall be deemed to be registered on the day upon which such form and any agreement if applicable has been received by the scottish Fa and is fully compliant with the articles and these procedures. acknowledgement of the registration will be via the club extranet when the player’s name appears on the club’s list of registered players;

2.8.1.8 other than a player who is registered upon a temporary transfer basis and, provided that he is otherwise eligible to do so, a player who is registered by means of a non-recreational registration player Form on a contract, non-contract or amateur basis for a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa may (with the written permission of the junior club for which he is registered) play for any club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association;

2.8.1.9 as otherwise provided in the articles and/or these procedures.


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2.9 Fast track registration

2.9.1 if required to register a player expediently, the necessary documents must be sent by facsimile or other acceptable electronic communication to the scottish Fa and be received and found to be in order pursuant to the procedures before the player shall be entitled , subject to appropriate league approval where applicable, to play for his new club. registration forms received by facsimile or other electronic communication which fully comply with the scottish Fa’s articles and these procedures will be processed and the player registered.

2.9.2 the original registration documents must be submitted to the scottish Fa within 14 days after the date of signing in the case of a club in full or associate membership or in membership of an affiliated association, or 3 days (saturday and sunday excluded) for clubs in membership of the scottish Junior Fa. Failure to submit the original documentation within the correct timescales will result in the club concerned being deemed to have infringed the disciplinary rules of the Judicial panel protocol and be liable to a censure, fine or such sanction(s), penalty or penalties as the Judicial panel considers appropriate.

2.10 cancellation of non-recreational player Form registration – contract and non-contract types

2.10.1 registration upon a non-recreational player Form – contract or non-contract may be cancelled:

2.10.1.1 on written request to the secretary signed by an accredited official of the club and the player; or

2.10.1.2 by the authority of the scottish Fa; or

2.10.1.3 as otherwise provided within these procedures.

2.10.2 the registration of a player on a contract basis, who moves to a club in membership of another national association upon a loan basis, will be suspended and the registration/contract held in abeyance for the duration of the loan period upon receipt of a written request for such to the secretary signed by an accredited official of the club and the player. effect will again be given to the player’s registration/contract (for the then remaining period) upon his return to his scottish club and receipt by the scottish Fa of the necessary international transfer certificate.

2.11 cancellation of non-recreational player Form registration – amateur

2.11.1 registration upon a non-recreational player Form – amateur may be cancelled:

2.11.1.1 on a written request to the secretary duly signed by an accredited official of the club; or


2.11.1.3 as otherwise provided within these procedures; or


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2.11.1.4 by the player writing to the secretary stating the name of the affiliated national association club, for which he wishes to play. confirmation of his eligibility to play for the club nominated will be confirmed and, following a period of 28 days having elapsed from the date of his written application, his non-recreational player Form registration - amateur will be cancelled. . notwithstanding the foregoing, a registered amateur player with a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa cannot nominate another club in membership of that body when exercising his right in terms of this rule.

2.12 cancellation of non-recreational player Form registration – Youth

2.12.1 registration upon a non-recreational Form – Youth may be cancelled:

2.12.1.1 on a written request to the secretary duly signed by an accredited official of the club; or


2.12.1.3 as otherwise provided within these procedures.

3. TRANSFER FORm

3.1 general

3.1.1 the transfer Form is to be used by non recreational clubs .

3.1.2 the transfer Form may also be used by clubs in membership of the scottish Youth Fa when a player is registered in accordance with any existing agreements that may be in place between the scottish Youth Fa and other affiliated associations or affiliated national associations and providing such agreement(s) have been formerly approved by the scottish Fa.

3.1.3 a player registered with the scottish Fa for a club in full and associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association or in membership of the scottish Junior Fa may have his registration transferred with the consent of all three parties (player, transferee club and signing club) to another such club for registration by means of a non-recreational player Form.

3.1.4 the transfer of a player by means of the transfer Form may be on a permanent transfer (in accordance with rule 3.2), or a Loan (in accordance with rule 3.3).

3.1.5 if a professional player is transferred during the course of his agreement with his previous club then 5% of any transfer fee paid to his previous club will be distributed to the club(s) involved in the training and education of the player. this distribution will be made, in accordance with the FiFa regulations, in proportion to the number of years the player has been registered with the relevant club(s) between the ages of 12 and 23. the distribution will be apportioned amongst the clubs concerned according to the age of the player at the time they provided him with training and education. payment must be made by his new club within 30 days of the player’s new registration.


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3.2 permanent transfer

3.2.1 provided that it is during a registration period or special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4 a player who is registered by means of a non-recreational player registration Form for a non recreational club , may have his registration transferred immediately to another club by that club, being the club to which his registration is to be transferred, lodging with the secretary a transfer Form and, where applicable, the agreement between the player and that club (in terms of rule 4) together with the completed non-recreational player registration Form.

3.2.2 the non-recreational player registration Form and agreement between the player and the club, where applicable, must be completed in accordance with these procedures and the transfer Form signed by the player and on behalf of each club concerned by its secretary or other accredited official. the player’s current registration will be cancelled on, and his registration for the club to which his registration is to be transferred effected from, the date on which such documents are received and acknowledged as valid by the secretary.

3.2.3 the clubs and the player concerned shall each be issued with written or electronic confirmation of the transfer of registration from the scottish Fa, acknowledging the validity of the non-recreational player registration Form, the accompanying agreement between the player and the club where applicable, and the transfer Form.

3.3 Loan (temporary transfer)

3.3.1 provided that it is during a registration period or special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4 a player, who is registered by means of a non-recreational player registration Form for a non recreational club may have his registration transferred temporarily to another club.

3.3.2 the club to which a player’s registration is to be transferred temporarily shall lodge with the secretary a completed transfer Form indicating temporary transfer signed by the player and on behalf of each club concerned by its secretary or other accredited official. the terms and conditions under which a player’s registration is to be temporarily transferred shall be clearly stated therein.

3.3.3 the temporary transfer of the player’s registration will be effected from the date on which such form is received and acknowledged as valid by the secretary. the clubs and the player concerned shall each be issued with written or electronic confirmation of the temporary transfer of registration from the scottish Fa, acknowledging the validity of the transfer Form.

3.3.4 the temporary transfer of a player’s registration once effected, shall continue in force until the expiry date of the period of the temporary transfer, unless the terms and conditions of the temporary transfer of registration contain provision for the early termination. such termination shall be notified to the secretary in writing, signed by the player and by the secretary or other accredited official of each club concerned.


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3.3.5 provided that it is during a registration period or special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4, on the termination of a temporary transfer of registration, the player’s registration shall immediately revert to the club from which his registration was temporarily transferred subject to the rules of any other recognised football body where applicable.

3.3.6 in the event that the early termination of the temporary transfer occurs outside a registration period, if applicable, then dispensation to re-register must be sought by the player’s club in accordance with rule 1.4.

3.3.7 in the case of a temporary transfer of a player from a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association to a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa or vice versa then such a player, with the written permission of the club to which the player has gone on temporary transfer to, may also play for the club which has temporarily transferred the player providing that he is otherwise eligible to do so.

4. AGREEmENT BETwEEN CLuB AND PLAyER

4.1 general provisions

4.1.1 other than rule 4.1, the provisions of this rule 4 do not apply to clubs in membership of the scottish premier League or the scottish Football League.

4.1.2 all the provisions of this rule 4 (where relevant to the particular club in terms of rule 4.1.1) must be embodied in all written agreements between clubs and players

4.1.3 other than in relation to agreements between clubs in membership of the scottish Football League or the scottish premier League and their players, and except as otherwise provided for in these procedures no further agreement of any description shall be entered into between clubs and players.

4.1.4 a club must enter into a written agreement with each player whom it has registered upon a non-recreational player registration Form - contract.

4.1.5 a written agreement between a player and a club:

4.1.5.1 in the case of a player who is under 18 years of age at the date of signing shall not be for a period exceeding 3 years and any clause referring to a longer duration within the relative agreement between the player and the club shall not be recognised and the player’s registration only effected for a period of not more than 3 years.

4.1.5.2 in the case of a player who has attained 18 years of age at the date of signing then such agreement may be for a period of time of not less than 28 days and not more than 5 years. any clause referring to a longer duration within the relative agreement between the club and a player who has attained 18 years of age at the date of signing shall only be permitted if consistent with national laws.

4.1.5.3 shall be signed by the player and by the secretary or an accredited official of the club concerned and shall be witnessed and lodged with the secretary together with the


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non recreational player registration Form. a duplicate, also signed by all parties, shall be given to the player.

4.1.6 all payments to be made to a player relating to his playing activities must be clearly recorded upon the relevant written agreement . no other payments for his playing activities may be made to a player via a third party or otherwise.

4.1.7 if the services of a players’ agent have been used in contractual negotiations then the players’ agent’s name and signature shall, without fail, appear upon the relevant agreement. similarly, if the services of a players’ agent have not been used then this must be expressly stated upon the relevant agreement.

4.1.8 in event of the Board deciding that the game shall be suspended, as provided for in the articles, agreements between clubs and players shall be correspondingly suspended other than in the case of any club or clubs being exempted from such stoppage.

4.2 notice of termination of agreement and player’s right of appeal

4.2.1 When an agreement between a club and a player who has signed a non-recreational player registration Form - contract, is the subject of notice of termination by the club, the registration of the player with the scottish Fa shall be cancelled by the scottish Fa upon being advised of such termination unless a written personal appeal from the player against such termination is received by the scottish Fa within 5 days of receipt of recorded delivery notice by the player from his club of termination of the agreement. such appeal must be submitted in accordance with the Judicial panel protocol.

4.2.2 in the event of such player not intimating a written personal appeal in writing against termination of his engagement within the period prescribed in rule 4.2.1, the agreement between the parties shall be held to have terminated on the date upon which the player’s registration with the scottish Fa is cancelled, and the player and the club shall be held to have renounced and discharged all claims, rights or remedies, competent to either of them.

4.3 disputes relating to the agreement

4.3.1 in the event of any question, dispute or difference arising under such agreement including claims for wages or damages either during the currency or after the termination thereof, no proceedings shall be competent thereon or in connection therewith in any court of Law until the appeals and arbitration procedures of the scottish Fa shall have been exhausted.

4.3.2 intimation of such question, dispute or difference may be made by the player to the scottish Fa who shall adjudicate and whose decision shall be final. such intimation must be made in writing by recorded delivery letter by the player personally during the currency of the agreement or within 3 months of its termination. this section does not apply to any question arising from termination of the player’s registration provided for in rule 4.2.


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4.3.3 appeals or claims from players registered on non-recreational player registration Forms non-contract or amateur by clubs in membership of the scottish Junior Fa shall be dealt with by the scottish Junior Fa subject to a further appeal to the scottish Fa in accordance with the Judicial panel protocol. all other claims from players attached to clubs in membership of the scottish Junior Fa shall be dealt with by the scottish Fa.

4.4 suspension of player

a player who is registered for a club in full or associate membership by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - contract shall, during the period of any suspension imposed upon him for any reason other than breach of contract, be paid the basic minimum wage to which he is entitled under the terms of his written agreement with the club.

5. BREACH OF CONTRACT

5.1 a player, who leaves a club in violation of his agreement with that club may be suspended, subject to investigation by the scottish Fa, on his being reported to the scottish Fa by the club concerned and may be liable to sports sanctions and the payment of any compensation claims in accordance with the FiFa regulations.

5.1 club which induces a player to break his agreement with another club or breaks its agreement with a player may be liable, subject to investigation by the scottish Fa, to sports sanctions and the payment of any compensation claims in accordance with the FiFa regulations.

6. APPROACH TO PLAyER

other than in relation to players subject to a non recreational player registration Form – Youth who are subject to the provisions of rule 2.5 above, a club, or an agent on behalf of a club, may only approach a registered player of another club providing it/he/she has firstly advised, in writing, the player’s current club of its/their intention to do so and providing the player has only six months or less of his current agreement remaining.

7. ENTITLEmENT TO COmPENSATION

7.1 professional player

7.1.1 upon expiry of his agreement a professional player shall be free to conclude a new agreement with any club, which wishes to engage his services providing this is during one of the registration periods or special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4. Following upon expiry of such agreement any rights to a compensation fee by his previous club shall lapse at the end of the season in which the player reaches the age of 23.

7.1.2 a club, which has offered terms of re-engagement to a professional player to whom the above rule 7.1.1 applies and who subsequently has decided to conclude an agreement with another club, shall be entitled to compensation from the other club subject to the following provisions:


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7.1.2.1 in the case of a player who was previously registered with the scottish Fa for his former club by means of a non-recreational player Form contract, the former club, not later than the date of expiry of the agreement, (or in the case of a club in membership of the scottish Football League or the scottish premier League in accordance with the rules of the scottish Football League or the scottish premier League, as appropriate, relating to ‘entitlement to compensation’ procedures), has notified the player by recorded delivery letter of the terms of re-engagement which are to remain available to the player to accept or decline within a period of 21 days thereafter. in addition to the foregoing:

(a) a copy of the terms of re-engagement, which in the opinion of the Board shall be not less favourable than the terms of the player’s previous agreement, must also be lodged by recorded delivery with the secretary, at the same time as the notification of terms to the player and;

(b) when both of the clubs involved in a player’s move from one club to another are in membership of the scottish Football League or when both of the clubs involved in a player’s move from one club to another are in membership of the scottish premier League, or if one club is in membership of the scottish Football League or the scottish premier League and the other club is in membership of the scottish Junior Fa, the existing rules of the scottish Football League or of the scottish premier League and the existing agreement between the scottish Football League and the scottish Junior Fa, or any agreement between the scottish premier League and the scottish Junior Fa (respectively, for as long as they remain in force), will at the same time require to be observed by those clubs and will be applicable when establishing the former club’s entitlement to compensation. in cases when such rules do not allow compensation to be determined, and it is established by the scottish Fa that there is an entitlement to compensation in accordance with these procedures, then, upon receiving a written request from a club, the scottish Fa shall have the right to determine compensation which shall be binding on the clubs involved;

7.1.2.2 the player is registered with the scottish Fa for his new club by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - contract or a non-recreational player registration Form - non-contract.

7.1.2.3 any entitlement to a compensation fee by the player’s previous club shall lapse at the end of the season in which the player reaches the age of 23.

7.1.2.4 5% of the compensation fee will be distributed to the club(s) involved in the training and education of the player. this distribution will be made in proportion to the number of years the player has been registered with the relevant clubs between the ages of 12 and 23. this distribution will be apportioned amongst the clubs concerned according to the age of the player at the time they provided him with training and education. payment must be made by the transferee club within 30 days of the player’s new registration or within 30 days of a tribunal having set the compensation fee.

7.1.2.5 if a club should register a player to whom the aforesaid provisions apply on any non

recreational player registration Form (other than contract and non-contract) it shall be held liable, subject to investigation by the scottish Fa, to pay compensation to the player’s former club if the player should subsequently be registered for any other club,


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by means of a non-recreational player registration Form contract or non-contract in accordance with the FiFa regulations and these procedures. it is also agreed that a club which has registered a player in similar circumstances to the foregoing provisions of this rule 7.1.2.5 shall be held liable (subject to investigation by the scottish Fa) to pay compensation to the player’s former club if the player subsequently concludes an agreement for a club in membership of another national association, allowing that in terms of FiFa regulations and rules existing at the time of the date of expiry of his agreement with his former club, the player’s former club would have been entitled to compensation from the club with which the player has concluded an agreement.

7.1.2.6 the club for which the player has been registered by means of a non-recreational player registration form - contract or non-contract shall be responsible for contacting the player’s former club in writing by recorded delivery letter within 7 days of the date of signing of the non recreational player registration Form to open discussions regarding compensation.

7.1.2.7 Both clubs shall be responsible for reaching agreement on the matter of compensation within 21 days of the date of the player’s signing of a non-recreational player registration Form - contract or non contract. the agreement so reached shall be committed to writing and be duly signed by both clubs. in the event that agreement is not reached within said 21 day period , the former club may request in writing by recorded delivery letter to the secretary within a further period of 7 days thereafter that a tribunal (“the tribunal”) appointed by the Board be convened to resolve the matter.

the tribunal shall have full power to regulate its own procedure and to award costs, and its decision on matters coming before it shall be final and binding.

7.2 Youth player

7.2.1 upon expiry of his non-recreational player registration Form - Youth, a Youth player shall be free to conclude a new agreement, professional or amateur depending on status, with any club, which wishes to engage his services. if the former Youth player signs as a professional then he may be registered during one of the registration periods or if special dispensation has been granted in accordance with rule 1.4

7.2.2 a club, which has offered terms to a Youth player who has subsequently decided to conclude a non-recreational player registration Form - contract or non-contract with another club, shall be entitled to compensation from the other club subject to the following provisions:

7.2.2.1 in the case of a player who was previously registered with the scottish Fa for his former club by means of a non-recreational registration player Form - Youth; the former club, not later than the date of expiry of theplayer’s registration, has notified the player by recorded delivery letter of the terms of re-engagement which are to remain available to the player to accept or decline within a period of 21 days thereafter. in addition to the foregoing:

(a) a copy of the terms of re-engagement must also be lodged by recorded delivery with the secretary, at the same time as the notification of terms to the player; and


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(b) a copy of the offer of terms must also be sent at the same time to the scottish Football League or scottish premier League where applicable.

7.2.2.2 the player is registered with the scottish Fa for his new club by means of a non-recreational player Form - contract or non-contract.

7.2.2.3 any entitlement to a compensation fee by the player’s previous club shall lapse at the end of the season in which the player reaches the age of 23.

7.2.2.4 5% of the compensation fee will be distributed to the club(s) involved in the training and education of the player. this distribution will be made in proportion to the number of years the player has been registered with the relevant clubs between the ages of 12 and 23. this distribution will be apportioned amongst the clubs concerned according to the age of the player at the time they provided him with training and education. payment must be made by the transferee club within 30 days of the player’s new registration or within 30 days of a tribunal having set the compensation fee.

7.2.2.5 if a club should register a player to whom the aforesaid provisions apply on any other non recreational player registration Form (other than contract or non-contract) it shall be held liable, subject to investigation by the scottish Fa, to pay compensation to the player’s former club if the player should subsequently be registered for any other club, by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - contract or non-contract in accordance with the FiFa regulations and these procedures. it is also agreed thata club which has registered a player in similar circumstances to the foregoing provisions of this rule 7.2.2.5 shall be held liable (subject to investigation by the scottish Fa), to pay compensation to the player’s former club if the player subsequently concludes an agreement for a club in membership of another national association, allowing that in terms of FiFa regulations and rules existing at the time of the date of expiry of his agreement with his former club, the player’s former club would have been entitled to compensation from the club with which the player has concluded an agreement.

7.2.2.6 the club for which the player has been registered by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - contract or non-contract shall be responsible for contacting the player’s former club in writing by recorded delivery letter within 7 days of the date of signing of the non recreational player registration Form to open discussions regarding compensation.

7.2.2.7 Both clubs shall be responsible for reaching agreement on the matter of compensation within 21 days of the date of the player’s signing of a non-recreational player registration Form - contract or non-contract. the agreement so reached shall be committed to writing and be duly signed by both clubs. in the event that agreement is not reached within said 21 day period, the former club may request in writing by recorded delivery letter to the secretary within a further period of 7 days thereafter that a tribunal (“the tribunal”) appointed by the Board be convened to resolve the matter. the tribunal shall have full power to regulate its own procedure and to award costs, and its decision on matters coming before it shall be final and binding.


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8. SIGNING OF RECREATIONAL FORm PLAyER (Note - For Provisions in relation Recreational Football Registration, see Section D below)

8.1 a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association or in membership of the scottish Junior Fa may sign and register a player, currently registered upon a recreational Form, by intimating by recorded delivery 7 days’ notice of such proposed registration to:

(a) the secretary;

(b) as appropriate for the specific player, the secretary of the scottish amateur Fa, scottish Welfare Fa, scottish Youth Fa, and;

(c) the secretary of the player’s current club.

8.2 upon receipt of a notice in terms of rule 8.1, an affiliated national association club must without fail advise its relevant registration authority of the cancellation thus rendering the player free to sign and be registered for his new club thereafter.

8.3 it shall be deemed to be a breach of these procedures and a club may be liable to sanctions should a club approach and/or sign a recreational Form player prior to carrying out the above procedure. Furthermore, where the player is under 16 years of age, clubs must also approach and obtain the consent of a player’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/carer(s) prior to speaking to the player.

9. COmPENSATION FOR FORmER RECREATIONAL FORm PLAyER

9.1 compensation will be due to the club of a recreational Form player if a player currently registered for that club signs a non recreational player registration Form – contract or non-contract for a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association to the sum of:

contract - £200 non-contract - £120

9.2 compensation will also be due to the club of a recreational Form player if a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa signs a player currently registered with the scottish Fa for an affiliated national association club(s) upon a non recreational player registration Form in accordance with any existing agreement(s) between the scottish Junior Fa and any affiliated national association.

9.3 any entitlement to compensation under this rule shall lapse at the end of the season of the player’s 23rd birthday.

9.4 should a player who had been registered for a senior club upon a non-recreational player registration Form – amateur or Youth subsequently be registered upon a non- recreational player registration Form - contract or non-contract for that club then compensation as above will be due to his former club where he was registered as a recreational Form player.


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9.5 the above sums must be paid by the senior club to the player’s non-recreational club within 30 days of the date of signing for the senior club.

10. TRAINING FuND CONTRIBuTION

10.1 When a senior club signs a recreational Form player upon a non-recreational player Form - Youth a fee of £10 must be sent by the senior club to the secretary of the relevant affiliated national association. Failure to adhere to this procedure will result in the matter being referred to the compliance officer for investigation and possible sanction.

10.2 this fund is to be redistributed by the affiliated national association to its member clubs in recognition of its member clubs contribution towards the training and development of Youth players.

11. REImBuRSEmENT OF COSTS OF TRAINING & DEVELOPmENT– yOuTH PLAyER

11.1 When a player who had been registered for a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - Youth signs such a form again then, subject to his former club for which he had been registered upon a non-recreational player registration Form - Youth having made an offer of a further period of registration to the player prior to the expiry of that registration, said club shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs of the player’s training and development.

11.2 the amount due to a club in terms of rule 11.1 will be based on the formula for reimbursement of costs of training as approved by the Board from time to time, it being agreed that reimbursement of training costs for the move of a player in terms of this rule 11.2 can only be paid once via either the scottish Fa or relevant league.

D Provisions APPliCAble to reCreAtionAl footbAll reGistrAtion

12. RECREATIONAL FOOTBALL

12.1 recreational Form

a club in membership of the scottish amateur Fa, scottish Welfare Fa , scottish Women’s Fa or scottish Youth Fa, may sign and register a player upon a recreational Form.

12.2 terms and conditions

the following terms and conditions shall apply in relation to registrations by way of a recreational Form:

12.2.1 a player signing a recreational Form shall be subject to the articles and these procedures together with the rules and regulations of the affiliated national associations listed in rule 12.1 in so far as they are applicable.

12.2.2 a player signing this form shall not be paid any remuneration by the club or any third party for his playing activities other than the expenses he effectively incurs in return for his footballing activity.


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12.2.3 the registration of a player with a club upon this type of registration will lapse automatically at the end of the season (as applicable to the relevant affiliated national association) in which he signed the form and the player will be free to sign for the club of his choice thereafter.

12.2.4 a player who is registered for a club (Winter season) by means of a recreational player Form may, from 1st May each season, sign and be registered for that club for the next season.

12.2.5 a player who is registered for a club (Winter season) by means of a recreational Form may, from 15th May each season, sign and be registered for another club for the next season, provided he is otherwise eligible to do so.

12.2.6 a player who is suspended or fails to comply or has not complied with policies as may be promulgated by the Board from time to time may not sign a recreational Form.

12.2.7 a player may be registered on a recreational Form for more than one club subject always to the rules and regulations of the relevant affiliated national association where applicable and these procedures.

12.3 eligibility to play

12.3.1 a player who is registered upon a recreational Form may only play for the club(s) for which he is registered provided that to do so is not contrary to these procedures and the rules and regulations, as appropriate of the scottish amateur Fa, scottish Welfare Fa, scottish Women’s Fa, scottish Youth Fa and scottish schools Fa.

12.3.2 a player who is registered upon a recreational Form may also play for:

12.3.2.1 a representative team selected and organised by a recognised Football Body having jurisdiction over all the players in the team;

12.3.2.2 in any circumstances governed by any agreement between the scottish Junior Fa and any of the above-named affiliated national associations provided that the player is not currently registered by means of a non-recreational player registration Form - Youth for a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association;

12.3.2.3 For a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association in any match in which he is eligible to play provided that the written permission of his club is obtained prior to each match. the foregoing does not apply if he is currently registered by means of non-recreational player registration Form - Youth or amateur for a club in full or associate membership of the scottish Fa or in membership of an affiliated association in which case he may only play for the club that he is registered with upon a non-recreational registration Form - amateur or Youth.


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12.4 registration of current recreational Form player

12.4.1 in the case of a senior club signing a registered recreational form player upon a non-recreational player Form Youth then a training fund contribution of £10 shall be payable to the secretary of the relevant affiliated national association.

12.4.2 Failure to adhere to the procedures set out in rule 8 will result in the matter being referred to the compliance officer for investigation and possible sanction.

12.4.3 clubs shall be required to adhere to the compensation provisions set out in rule 9.

12.4.4 a club in membership of the scottish Junior Fa may approach and sign a player who is registered by means of a recreational Form for a club in membership of the scottish amateur Fa, scottish Welfare Fa and scottish Youth Fa provided that to do so is in accordance with the terms of any agreement that may exist between the scottish Junior Fa and the relevant affiliated national associations.

12.5 end of season procedures

12.5.1 a player registered upon a recreational Form may:

12.5.1.1 sign and be registered for his current club for the next season between 1st May and 30th June each year; or

12.5.1.2 after 15th May sign and be registered for any affiliated national association club for the next season.

12.5.2 a recreational Form player will be free from 1st July each year to sign for the club of his choice providing he has not signed for the next season in the above mentioned terms.

12.6 cancellation of recreational Form registration registration by means of a recreational Form may be cancelled:

12.6.1 on a written request by the club concerned to the relevant affiliated national association; or

12.6.2 by the authority of the scottish Fa; or

12.6.3 by the player writing to the secretary stating the name of the affiliated national association club for which he wishes to play provided the player has exhausted all procedures available to him in his current club’s affiliated national association. confirmation of his eligibility to play for the club concerned will be confirmed and thereafter his recreational Form registration will be cancelled when a period of 28 days has elapsed from the date of application.


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annex a

fifA reGulAtions for the stAtus AnD trAnsfer of PlAyers

i introductorY proVision 1 – scope

ii status oF pLaYers 2 – status of players: amateur and professional players 3 – reacquisition of amateur status 4 – termination of activity

iii registration oF pLaYers 5 – registration 6 – registration periods 7 – player passport 8 – application for registration 9 – international transfer certificate 10 – Loan of professionals 11 – unregistered players 12 – enforcement of disciplinary suspensions

iV Maintenance oF contractuaL staBiLitY BetWeen proFessionaLs and cLuBs 13 – respect of contract 14 – terminating a contract with just cause 15 – terminating a contract with sporting just cause 16 – restriction on terminating a contract during the season 17 – consequences of terminating a contract without just cause 18 – special provisions relating to contracts between professionals and clubs

V tHird-partY inFLuence 18bis – third-party influence on clubs

Vi internationaL transFers inVoLVing Minors 19 – protection of minors 19bis – registration and reporting of minors at academies

Vii training coMpensation and soLidaritY MecHanisM 20 – training compensation 21 – solidarity Mechanism

Viii Jurisdiction 22 – competence of FiFa 23 – players’ status committee 24 – dispute resolution chamber (drc) 25 – procedural guidelines

iX FinaL proVisions 26 – transitional measures 27 – Matters not provided for


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28 – official languages 29 – annulment, enforcement

annexe 1: release of players to association teamsannexe 2: procedure governing applications for first registration and international

transfer of minorsannexe 3: transfer matching systemannexe 3a: administrative procedure governing the transfer of players between

assoications outside tMs.annexe 4: training compensationannexe 5: solidarity mechanism

Based on article 5 of the FiFa statutes of 19 october 2003, the executive committeehas issued the following regulations and annexes, which form an integral part of thebasic text.

DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of these regulations, the terms set out below are defined as follows:-

1. Former association: the association to which the former club is affiliated.2. Former club: the club that the player is leaving.3. new association: the association to which the new club is affiliated.4. new club: the club that the player is joining.5. official matches: matches played within the framework of organised football, such as

national league championships, national cups and international championships for clubs, but not including friendly and trial matches.

6. organised football: association football organised under the auspices of FiFa, the confederations and the associations, or authorised by them.

7. protected period: a period of three entire seasons or three years, whichever comes first, following the entry into force of a contract, where such contract is concluded prior to the 28th birthday of the professional, or two entire seasons or two years, whichever comes first, following the entry into force of a contract, where such contract is concluded after the 28th birthday of the professional.

8. registration period: a period fixed by the relevant association in accordance with article 6.

9. season: the period starting with the first official match of the relevant national league championship and ending with the last official match of the relevant national league championship.

10. training compensation: the payments made in accordance with annexe 4 to cover the development of young players.

11. Minor: a player who has not yet reached the age of 18.12. academy: an organisation or an independent legal entity whose primary, long-term

objective is to provide players with long-term training through the provision of the necessary training facilities and infrastructure. this shall primarily include, but not be limited to, football training centres, football camps, football schools, etc.

13. transfer matching system (tMs): the transfer matching system (tMs) is a web-based data information system with the primary objective of simplifying the process of international player transfers as well as improving transparency and the flow of information.

reference is also made to the definitions section in the FiFa statutes


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nB: terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.

I INTRODuCTORy PROVISION

Article 1 Scope1. 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 specifi c 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 investing in the training and education of young players.

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, 18, 18bis, 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:-

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 and players’ eligibility to play for such teams in accordance with the provisions of annexe 1. these provisions are binding for all associations and clubs

II STATuSOFPLAyERS

Article 2 Status of Players : Amateur and Professional Players1. players participating in organised football are either amateurs or professionals.2. a professional is a player who has a written contract with a club and is paid more for

his footballing activity than the expenses he effectively incurs. all other players are considered to be amateurs.


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Article 3 Reacquisition of Amateur Status1. a player registered as a professional may not re-register as an amateur until at least 30

days after his last match as a professional. 2. no compensation is payable upon reacquisition of amateur status. if a player re-

registers as a professional within 30 months of being reinstated as an amateur, his new club shall pay training compensation in accordance with article 20.

Article 4 Termination of Activity1. professionals who end their careers upon expiry of their contracts and amateurs who

terminate their activity shall remain registered at the association of their last club for a period of 30 months.

2. this period begins on the day the player made his last appearance for the club in an official match.

III REGISTRATION OF PLAyERS

Article 5 Registration1. a player must be registered at an association to play for a club as either a professional

or an amateur in accordance with the provisions of article 2. only registered players are eligible to participate in organised football. By the act of registering, a player agrees to abide by the statutes and regulations of FiFa, the confederations and the associations.

2. a player may only be registered with one club at a time.3. players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. during

this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs. as an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season, provided he has fully complied with his contractual obligations towards his previous clubs. equally, the provisions relating to the registration periods (article 6) as well as to the minimum length of a contract (article 18 paragraph 2) must be respected.

4. under all circumstances, due consideration must be given to the sporting integrity of the competition. in particular, a player may not play official matches for more than two clubs competing in the same national championship or cup during the same season, subject to stricter individual competition regulations of member associations.

Article 6 Registration Periods1. players may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed

by the relevant association. as an exception to this rule, a professional whose contract has expired prior to the end of a registration period may be registered outside that registration period. associations are authorised to register such professionals provided due consideration is given to the sporting integrity of the relevant competition. Where a contract has been terminated with just cause, FiFa may take provisional measures in order to avoid abuse, subject to article 22.

2. the first registration period shall begin after the completion of the season and shall normally end before the new season starts. this period may not exceed twelve weeks. the second registration period shall normally occur in the middle of the season and may not exceed four weeks. the two registration periods for the season shall be entered into the transfer matching system (tMs) at least 12 months before they come into force (cf. annexe 3, article 5.1 paragraph 1). FiFa shall determine the dates for any association that fails to communicate them on time.


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3. players may only be registered – subject to the exception provided for in article 6 paragraph 1 – upon submission of a valid application from the club to the relevant association during a registration period.

4. the provisions concerning registration periods do not apply to competitions in which only amateurs participate. the relevant association shall specify the periods when players may be registered for such competitions provided that due consideration is given to the sporting integrity of the relevant competition

Article 7 Player Passportthe registering association is obliged to provide the club with which the player is registered with a player passport containing the relevant details of the player. the player passport shall indicate the club(s) with which the player has been registered since the season of his 12th birthday. if a birthday falls between seasons, the player passport shall indicate the club with which he was registered during the season following his birthday.

Article 8 Application for Registrationthe application for registration of a professional must be submitted togetherwith a copy of the player’s contract. the relevant decision-making body hasdiscretion to take account of any contractual amendments or additionalagreements that have not been duly submitted to it.

Article 9 International Transfer Certificate1. players registered at one association may only be registered at a new association once

the latter has received an international transfer certifi cate (hereinafter: itc) from the former association. the itc shall be issued free of charge without any conditions or time limit. any provisions to the contrary shall be null and void. the association issuing the itc shall lodge a copy with FiFa. the administrative procedures for issuing the itc are contained in annexe 3, article 8, and annexe 3a of these regulations.

2. associations are forbidden from requesting the issue of an itc in order to allow a player to participate in trial matches.

3. the new association shall inform the association(s) of the club(s) that trained and educated the player between the ages of 12 and 23 (cf. article 7 – player passport) in writing of the registration of the player as a professional after receipt of the itc.

4. an itc is not required for a player under the age of 12 years.

Article 10 Loan of Professionals1. a professional may be loaned to another club on the basis of a written agreement

between him and the clubs concerned. any such loan is subject to the same rules as apply to the transfer of players, including the provisions on training compensation and the solidarity mechanism.

2. subject to article 5 paragraph 3, the minimum loan period shall be the time between two registration periods.

3. the club that has accepted a player on a loan basis is not entitled to transfer him to a third club without the written authorisation of the club that released the player on loan and the player concerned.

Article 11 Unregistered Playersany player not registered at an association who appears for a club in any official match shall be considered to have played illegitimately. Without prejudice to any measure required to rectify the sporting consequences of such an appearance, sanctions may also be imposed on the player


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and/or the club. the right to impose such sanctions lies in principle with the association or the organiser of the competition concerned.

Article 12 Enforcement of Disciplinary Suspensionsany disciplinary suspension imposed on a player prior to a transfer must be enforced or applied by the new association at which the player is registered. the former association is obliged to notify the new association of any sanction in writing and upon issuing the itc.

iV Maintenance oF contractuaLstaBiLitY BetWeen proFessionaLs and cLuBs

Article 13 Respect of Contracta contract between a professional and a club may only be terminated upon expiry of the term of the contract or by mutual agreement.

Article 14 Terminating a Contract with just Causea contract may be terminated by either party without consequences of any kind (either payment of compensation or imposition of sporting sanctions) where there is just cause.

Article 15 Terminating a Contract with Sporting just Causean established professional who has, in the course of the season, appeared in fewer than ten per cent of the offi cial matches in which his club has been involved may terminate his contract prematurely on the ground of sporting just cause. due consideration shall be given to the player’s circumstances in the appraisal of such cases. the existence of sporting just cause shall be established on a case-by-case basis. in such a case, sporting sanctions shall not be imposed, though compensation may be payable. a professional may only terminate his contract on this basis in the 15 days following the last official match of the season of the club with which he is registered.

Article 16 Restriction on Terminating a Contract during the Seasona contract cannot be unilaterally terminated during the course of a season.

Article 17 Consequences of Terminating a Contract without just Causethe following provisions apply if a contract is terminated without just cause:1. in all cases, the party in breach shall pay compensation. subject to the provisions of

article 20 and annexe 4 in relation to training compensation, and unless otherwise provided for in the contract, compensation for the breach shall be calculated with due consideration for the law of the country concerned, the specifi city of sport, and any other objective criteria. these criteria shall include, in particular, the remuneration and other benefits due to the player under the existing contract and/or the new contract, the time remaining on the existing contract up to a maximum of fi ve years, the fees and expenses paid or incurred by the former club (amortised over the term of the contract) and whether the contractual breach falls within a protected period.

2. entitlement to compensation cannot be assigned to a third party. if a professional is required to pay compensation, the professional and his new club shall be jointly and severally liable for its payment. the amount may be stipulated in the contract or agreed between the parties.

3. in addition to the obligation to pay compensation, sporting sanctions shall also be imposed on any player found to be in breach of contract during the protected period.


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this sanction shall be a four-month restriction on playing in official matches. in the case of aggravating circumstances, the restriction shall last six months. these sporting sanctions shall take effect immediately once the player has been notifi ed of the relevant decision. the sporting sanctions shall remain suspended in the period between the last official match of the season and the first official match of the next season, in both cases including national cups and international championships for clubs. this suspension of the sporting sanctions shall, however, not be applicable if the player is an established member of the representative team of the association he is eligible to represent, and the association concerned is participating in the final competition of an international tournament in the period between the last match and the first match of the next season. unilateral breach without just cause or sporting just cause after the protected period shall not result in sporting sanctions. disciplinary measures may, however, be imposed outside the protected period for failure to give notice of termination within 15 days of the last official match of the season (including national cups) of the club with which the player is registered. the protected period starts again when, while renewing the contract, the duration of the previous contract is extended.

4. in addition to the obligation to pay compensation, sporting sanctions shall be imposed on any club found to be in breach of contract or found to be inducing a breach of contract during the protected period. it shall be presumed, unless established to the contrary, that any club signing a professional who has terminated his contract without just cause has induced that professional to commit a breach. the club shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for two registration periods.

5. any person subject to the FiFa statutes and regulations (club officials, players’ agents, players, etc.) who acts in a manner designed to induce a breach of contract between a professional and a club in order to facilitate the transfer of the player shall be sanctioned.

Article 18 Special Provisions Relating to Contracts between Professionals and Clubs1. if an agent is involved in the negotiation of a contract, he shall be named in that

contract.

2. the minimum length of a contract shall be from its effective date until the end of the season, while the maximum length of a contract shall be five years. contracts of any other length shall only be permitted if consistent with national laws. players under the age of 18 may not sign a professional contract for a term longer than three years. any clause referring to a longer period shall not be recognised.

3. a club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player’s current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him. a professional shall only be free to conclude a contract with another club if his contract with his present club has expired or is due to expire within six months. any breach of this provision shall be subject to appropriate sanctions.

4. the validity of a contract may not be made subject to a successful medical examination and/or the grant of a work permit.

5. if a professional enters into more than one contract covering the same period, the provisions set forth in chapter iV shall apply.


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V THIRD-PARTy INFLuENCE

Article 18bis Third-party Influence on Clubs1. no club shall enter into a contract which enables any other party to that contract or

any third party to acquire the ability to influence in employment and transfer-related matters its independence, its policies or the performance of its teams.

2. the FiFa disciplinary committee may impose disciplinary measures on clubs that do not observe the obligations set out in this article.

VI INTERNATIONALTRANSFERS INVOLVING mINORS

Article 19 Protection of Minors1. international transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18.

2. the following three exceptions to this rule apply:

a) the player’s parents move to the country in which the new club is Located for reasons not linked to football.

b) the transfer takes place within the territory of the european union (eu) or european economic area (eea) and the player is aged between 16 and 18. in this case, the new club must fulfil the following minimum obligations:

i) it shall provide the player with an adequate football education and/ or training in line with the highest national standards.

ii) it shall guarantee the player an academic and/or school and/or vocational education and/or training, in addition to his football education and/or training, which will allow the player to pursue a career other than football should he cease playing professional football.

iii) it shall make all necessary arrangements to ensure that the player is looked after in the best possible way (optimum living standards with a host family or in club accommodation, appointment of a mentor at the club, etc.).

iv) it shall, on registration of such a player, provide the relevant association with proof that it is complying with the aforementioned obligations.

c) the player lives no further than 50km from a national border and the club with which the player wishes to be registered in the neighbouring association is also within 50km of that border. the maximum distance between the player’s domicile and the club’s headquarters shall be 100km. in such cases, the player must continue to live at home and the two associations concerned must give their explicit consent.

3. the conditions of this article shall also apply to any player who has never previously been registered with a club and is not a national of the country in which he wishes to be registered for the first time.

4. every international transfer according to paragraph 2 and every first registration according to paragraph 3 is subject to the approval of the subcommittee appointed by the players’ status committee for that purpose. the application for approval shall be submitted by the association that wishes to register the player. the former association


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shall be given the opportunity to submit its position. the sub-committee’s approval shall be obtained prior to any request from an association for an international transfer certificate and/or a first registration. any violations of this provision will be sanctioned by the disciplinary committee in accordance with the FiFa disciplinary code. in addition to the association that failed to apply to the sub-committee, sanctions may also be imposed on the former association for issuing an international transfer certificate without the approval of the sub-committee, as well as on the clubs that reached an agreement for the transfer of a minor.

5. the procedures for applying to the sub-committee for a first registration and an international transfer of a minor are contained in annexe 2 of these regulations.

Article 19bis Registration and Reporting of Minors at Academies1. clubs that operate an academy with legal, financial or de facto links to the club are

obliged to report all minors who attend the academy to the association upon whose territory the academy operates.

2. each association is obliged to ensure that all academies without legal, financial or de facto links to a club:

a) run a club that participates in the relevant national championships; all players shall be reported to the association upon whose territory the academy operates, or registered with the club itself; or

b) report all minors who attend the academy for the purpose of training to the association upon whose territory the academy operates.

3. each association shall keep a register comprising the names and dates of birth of the minors who have been reported to it by the clubs or academies.

4. through the act of reporting, academies and players undertake to practise football in accordance with the FiFa statutes, and to respect and promote the ethical principles of organised football.

5. any violations of this provision will be sanctioned by the disciplinary committee in accordance with the FiFa disciplinary code.

6. article 19 shall also apply to the reporting of all minor players who are not nationals of the country in which they wish to be reported.

VII TRAINING COmPENSATION AND SOLIDARITy mECHANISm

Article 20 Training Compensationtraining compensation shall be paid to a player’s training club(s): (1) when a player signs his first contract as a professional and

(2) each time a professional is transferred until the end of the season of his 23rd birthday. the obligation to pay training compensation arises whether the transfer takes place during or at the end of the player’s contract. the provisions concerning training compensation are set out in annexe 4 of these regulations.


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Article 21 Solidarity Mechanismif a professional is transferred before the expiry of his contract, any club that has contributed to his education and training shall receive a proportion of the compensation paid to his former club (solidarity contribution). the provisions concerning solidarity contributions are set out in annexe 5 of these regulations.

VIII JuRISDICTION

Article 22 Competence of FIFAWithout prejudice to the right of any player or club to seek redress before acivil court for employment-related disputes, FiFa is competent to hear:a) disputes between clubs and players in relation to the maintenance of contractual

stability (articles 13-18) where there has been an itc request and a claim from an interested party in relation to said itc request, in particular regarding the issue of the itc, sporting sanctions or compensation for breach of contract;

b) employment-related disputes between a club and a player of an international dimension, unless an independent arbitration tribunal guaranteeing fair proceedings and respecting the principle of equal representation of players and clubs has been established at national level within the framework of the association and/or a collective bargaining agreement;

c) employment-related disputes between a club or an association and a coach of an international dimension, unless an independent arbitration tribunal guaranteeing fair proceedings exists at national level;

d) disputes relating to training compensation (article 20) and the solidarity mechanism (article 21) between clubs belonging to different associations;

e) disputes relating to the solidarity mechanism (article 21) between clubs belonging to the same association provided that the transfer of a player at the basis of the dispute occurs between clubs belonging to different associations;

f) disputes between clubs belonging to different associations that do not fall within the cases provided for in a), d) and e).

Article 23 Players’ Status Committee1. the players’ status committee shall adjudicate on any of the cases described under

article 22 c) and f) as well as on all other disputes arising from the application of these regulations, subject to article 24.

2. in case of uncertainty as to the jurisdiction of the players’ status committee or the dispute resolution chamber, the chairman of the players’ status committee shall decide which body has jurisdiction.

3. the players’ status committee shall adjudicate in the presence of at least three members, including the chairman or the deputy chairman, unless the case is of such a nature that it may be settled by a single judge. in cases that are urgent or raise no difficult factual or legal issues, and for decisions on the provisional registration of a player in relation to international clearance in accordance with annexe 3, article 8, and


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annexe 3a, the chairman or a person appointed by him, who must be a member of the committee, may adjudicate as a single judge. each party shall be heard once during the proceedings. decisions reached by the single judge or the players’ status committee may be appealed before the court of arbitration for sport (cas).

Article 24 Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC)1. the drc shall adjudicate on any of the cases described under article 22 a), b), d) and e)

with the exception of disputes concerning the issue of an itc.2. the drc shall adjudicate in the presence of at least three members, including the

chairman or the deputy chairman, unless the case is of a nature that may be settled by a drc judge. the members of the drc shall designate a drc judge for the clubs and one for the players from among its members. the drc judge may adjudicate in the following cases:i) all disputes up to a litigious value of cHF 100,000;ii) disputes relating to training compensation without complex factual or legal

issues, or in which the drc already has a clear, established jurisprudence;iii) disputes relating to solidarity contributions without complex factual or legal

issues, or in which the drc already has a clear, established jurisprudence.

the drc judge is obliged to refer cases concerning fundamental issues to the chamber. the chamber shall consist of equal numbers of club and player representatives, except in those cases that may be settled by a drc judge. each party shall be heard once during the proceedings. decisions reached by the dispute resolution chamber or the drc judge may be appealed before the court of arbitration for sport (cas).

Article 25 Procedural Guidelines1. as a rule, the single judge and the drc judge shall adjudicate within 30 days of

receipt of a valid request and the players’ status committee or the dispute resolution chamber shall adjudicate within 60 days. the proceedings shall be governed by the FiFa general procedural rules.

2. the maximum cost of proceedings before the players’ status committee, including the single judge, as well as before the drc, including the drc judge, in relation to disputes regarding training compensation and the solidarity mechanism shall be set at cHF 25,000 and shall normally be paid by the unsuccessful party. the allocation of costs shall be explained in the decision. proceedings before the drc and the drc judge relating to disputes between clubs and players in relation to the maintenance of contractual stability as well as employment-related disputes between a club and a player of an international dimension are free of charge.

3. disciplinary proceedings for violation of these regulations shall, unless otherwise stipulated herein, conform to the FiFa disciplinary code.

4. if there is reason to believe that a case raises a disciplinary issue, the players’ status committee, the dispute resolution chamber, the single judge or the drc judge (as the case may be) shall submit the file to the disciplinary committee together with a request for the commencement of disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the FiFa disciplinary code.


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5. the players’ status committee, the dispute resolution chamber, the single judge or the drc judge (as the case may be) shall not hear any case subject to these regulations if more than two years have elapsed since the event giving rise to the dispute. application of this time limit shall be examined ex officio in each individual case.

6. the players’ status committee, the dispute resolution chamber, the single judge or the drc judge (as the case may be) shall, when taking their decisions, apply these regulations whilst taking into account all relevant arrangements, laws and/or collective bargaining agreements that exist at national level, as well as the specificity of sport.

7. the detailed procedure for the resolution of disputes arising from the application of these regulations shall be further outlined in the FiFa general procedural rules.

IX FINALPROVISIONS

Article 26 Transitional Measures1. any case that has been brought to FiFa before these regulations come into force shall be

assessed according to the previous regulations.2. as a general rule, all other cases shall be assessed according to these regulations with the

exception of the following:

a) disputes regarding training compensation;b) disputes regarding the solidarity mechanism;c) Labour disputes relating to contracts signed before 1 september 2001.

any cases not subject to this general rule shall be assessed according to the regulations that were in force when the contract at the centre of the dispute was signed, or when the disputed facts arose.

3. Member associations shall amend their regulations in accordance with article 1 to ensure that they comply with these regulations and shall submit them to FiFa for approval by 30 June 2007. notwithstanding the foregoing, each member association shall implement article 1 paragraph 3 a) as from 1 July 2005.

Article 27 Matters not provided forMatters not provided for in these regulations and cases of force majeure shall be decided by the FiFa executive committee, whose decisions are final.

Article 28 Official Languagesin the case of any discrepancy in the interpretation of the english, French, spanish or german texts of these regulations, the english text shall be authoritative.

Article 29 Enforcementthese regulations were approved by the FiFa executive committee on 7 June 2010 and come into force on 1 october 2010.

Johannesburg, 7 June 2010

For tHe FiFa eXecutiVe coMMitteeJoseph s. Blatter Jérôme Valckepresident general secretary


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anneX 1 – reLease oF pLaYers to association teaMs

Article 1 Principles1. clubs are obliged to release their registered players to the representative teams of the

country for which the player is eligible to play on the basis of his nationality if they are called up by the association concerned. any agreement between a player and a club to the contrary is prohibited.

2. the release of players under the terms of paragraph 1 of this article is mandatory for matches on dates listed in the coordinated international match calendar and for all matches for which a duty to release players exists on the basis of a special decision by the FiFa executive committee.

3. it is not compulsory to release players for matches scheduled on dates not listed in the coordinated international match calendar.

4. players must also be released for the period of preparation before the match, which is laid down as follows:

a) friendly matches: 48 hours;b) qualifying matches for an international tournament:– four days (including the day of the match). the release period shall be extended

to five days if the match concerned is held in a different confederation to the one in which the player’s club is registered;

– prior to double-dates (Friday – tuesday) listed in the coordinated international match calendar, the release period shall in any case be five days prior to the beginning of the time span fixed by the calendar (including the relevant Friday);

c) qualifying matches for an international tournament that are staged on a date reserved for friendly matches: 48 hours;

d) friendly matches that are staged on a date reserved for qualifying matches for an international tournament: 48 hours;

e) the final competition of an international tournament: 14 days before the first match in the competition.

players shall join the association team no later than 48 hours before kick-off.

5. the players of associations that have automatically qualified for the final competition of the FiFa World cup™ or for continental championships for national “a” teams shall be released for friendly matches on dates reserved for official qualifying matches in accordance with the directives that would apply for official matches staged on those dates.

6. the clubs and associations concerned may agree a longer period of release.

7. players complying with a call-up from their association under the terms of this article shall resume duty with their clubs no later than 24 hours after the end of the match for which they were called up. this period shall be extended to 48 hours if the match concerned took place in a different confederation to the one in which the player’s club is registered. clubs shall be informed in writing of a player’s outbound and return schedule ten days before the match. associations shall ensure that players are able to return to their clubs on time after the match.


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8. if a player does not resume duty with his club by the deadline stipulated in this article, the next time the player is called up by his association, the period of release shall be shortened as follows:a) friendly matches: 24 hours;b) qualifying matches: three days;c) the final competition of an international tournament: ten days

9. should an association repeatedly breach these provisions, the FiFa players’ status committee may impose appropriate sanctions, including but not limited to:a) fines;b) a reduction of the period of release;c) a ban on calling up a player(s) for subsequent match(es).

Article 2 Financial Provisions and Insurance1. clubs releasing a player in accordance with the provisions of this annexe are not

entitled to financial compensation.2. the association calling up a player shall bear the costs of travel incurred by the player as

a result of the call-up.3. the club with which the player concerned is registered shall be responsible for his

insurance cover against illness and accident during the entire period of his release. this cover must also extend to any injuries sustained by the player during the international match(es) for which he was released.

Article 3 Calling up Players1. as a general rule, every player registered with a club is obliged to respond affirmatively

when called up by the association he is eligible to represent on the basis of his nationality to play for one of its representative teams.

2. associations wishing to call up a player who is playing abroad must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the day of the match for which he is required. associations wishing to call up a player for the final competition of an international tournament must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the beginning of the 14-day preparation period (cf. annexe 1 article 1 paragraph 4 e)). the player’s club shall also be informed in writing at the same time. the club must confirm the release of the player within the following six days.

3. associations that request FiFa’s help to obtain the release of a player playing abroad may only do so under the following two conditions:a) the association at which the player is registered has been asked to intervene

without success.b) the case is submitted to FiFa at least five days before the day of the match

for which the player is needed.

Article 4 Injured Playersa player who due to injury or illness is unable to comply with a call-up from the association that he is eligible to represent on the basis of his nationality shall, if the association so requires, agree to undergo a medical examination by a doctor of that association’s choice. if the player so wishes, such medical examination shall take place on the territory of the association at which he is registered.


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Article 5 Restrictions on playinga player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe. this restriction on playing for the club shall, moreover, be prolonged by five days in the event that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to comply with the call-up.

Article 6 Disciplinary Measures1. Violations of any of the provisions set forth in this annexe shall result in the imposition

of disciplinary measures.

2. if a club refuses to release a player or neglects to do so despite the provisions of this annexe, the FiFa players’ status committee shall furthermore request the association to which the club belongs to declare any match(es) in which the player took part to have been lost by the club concerned. any points thus gained by the club in question shall be forfeited. any match contested according to the cup system shall be regarded as having been won by the opposing team, irrespective of the score.

3. if a player reports late for duty with his club more than once after being called up by an association, the FiFa players’ status committee may, at the request of the player’s club, impose additional sanctions on the player and/or his association.


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anneX i1 – procedure goVerning appLications For First registration and internationaL transFer oF Minors (art. 19 par. 4)

Article 1 Principles1. the procedure for applying for a first registration of a minor according to art. 19 par.

3, or an international transfer involving a minor according to art. 19 par. 2, will be managed by tMs.

2. unless otherwise specified in the provisions below, the rules governing the procedures of the players’ status committee and the dispute resolution chamber shall be applied in the application procedure, subject to slight deviations that may result from the computer-based process.

Article 2 Responsibility of Member Associations1. all member associations shall check the “Minors” tab in tMs at regular intervals of

at least every three days and pay particular attention to any enquiries or requests for statements.

2. Member associations will be fully responsible for any procedural disadvantages that may arise due to a failure to respect par. 1 above.

Article 3 Composition of Sub-Committee1. the sub-committee appointed by the players’ status committee shall be composed

of the chairman and deputy chairman of the players’ status committee and nine members.

2. as a rule, the sub-committee shall pass decisions with at least three members. in urgent cases, the chairman or a member appointed by him may pass decisions as a single judge.

Article 4 Conduct During Proceedings1. all parties involved in proceedings shall act in good faith.2. all parties involved in proceedings are obliged to tell the truth to the sub-committee.3. the sub-committee may use all means at its disposal to ensure that these principles

of conduct are observed. any violations, such as forged documents for example, will be sanctioned by the disciplinary committee in accordance with the FiFa disciplinary code.

Article 5 Initiation of Proceedings, Submission of Documents1. the application for an approval of a first registration (art. 19 par. 3) or an international

transfer (art. 19 par. 2) shall be entered in tMs by the association concerned. any other applications will not be considered. applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt from tMs.

2. depending on the details of the case in question, the association that submits an application shall also mandatorily enter specific documents from the following list in tMs:– proof of identity and nationality – player– proof of identity and nationality – player’s parents– proof of birth date (birth certificate) – player– employment contract – player– employment contract – player’s parents– Work permit – player– Work permit – player’s parents


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– proof of residence – player– proof of residence of player’s parents– documentation of academic education– documentation of football education– documentation of accommodation/care– parental authorisation– proof of distance: 50km rule– proof of consent of counterpart association

3. if an obligatory document is not submitted, or if a translation or an official confirmation is not submitted in accordance with article 7 below, the applicant will be notified accordingly in tMs. an application will only be processed if all obligatory documents have been submitted, or if all necessary translations and official confirmations have been correctly submitted in accordance with article 7 below.

4. the applicant may also submit any other documents it deems necessary together with the application. the sub-committee may request further documents from the applicant at any time.

Article 6 Statement, Non-submission of Statement1. in the case of a request for approval of an international transfer, the former association

will be given access to all non-confidential documents in tMs and invited to submit a statement within seven days through tMs.

2. the former association may also submit any documents it deems relevant through tMs.

3. if a statement is not submitted, the sub-committee will decide on the basis of the documents available.

Article 7 Language of Documentsif a document is not available in one of the four official languages of FiFa, the association shall also submit either a translation of the document in one of the four official languages of FiFa, or an official confirmation of the association concerned that summarises the pertinent facts of each document in one of the four official languages of FiFa. Failure to do so may, subject to art. 5 par. 3 above, result in the sub-committee disregarding the document in question.

Article 8 Deadlines1. deadlines shall be set legally through tMs.2. all submissions must be entered in tMs by the deadline in the time zone of the

association concerned.

Article 9 Notification of Decisions, Legal Remedy1. parties shall be legally notified of the sub-committee’s decision via tMs. notification will

be deemed complete once the decision has been uploaded into tMs. such notification of decisions shall be legally binding.

2. parties will be notified the findings of the decision. at the same time, the parties shall be informed that they have ten days from notification in which to request, in writing, the grounds of the decision, and that failure to do so will result in the decision becoming final and binding. if a party requests the grounds of the decision, the motivated decision will be notified to the parties in full, written form. the time limit to lodge an appeal begins upon notification of the motivated decision.


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anneX ii1 – transfer MatcHing sYsteM

Article 1 Scope1. the transfer matching system (tMs; cf. point 13 of the definitions section) is designed

to ensure that specific football authorities have more details available to them on international player transfers. this will increase the transparency of individual transactions, which will in turn improve the credibility and standing of the entire transfer system.

2. tMs is designed to clearly distinguish between the different payments in relation to international player transfers. all such payments must be entered in the system as this is the only way to be transparent about tracking the money being moved around in relation to these transfers. at the same time, the system will also ensure that it is indeed a real player who is being transferred and not merely a fictitious player being used for money-laundering.

3. tMs helps safeguard the protection of minors. if a minor is being registered as a non-national for the first time or is involved in an international transfer, an approval must be given by a sub-committee appointed by the players’ status committee for that purpose (cf. article 19 paragraph 4). the request for approval by the association that wishes to register the player and the subsequent decision-making workflow is managed via tMs (cf. annexe 2).

4. tMs is the web-based application by means of which the electronic itc will be created. Within the scope of the present annexe (cf. annexe 3, article 2 paragraph 5), the relevant procedure carried out via tMs will fully replace the issuance of an itc in paper format.

5. the use of tMs is a mandatory step for all international transfers of professional male players within the scope of eleven-a-side football, and any registration of such a player without the use of tMs will be deemed invalid. in the following articles of the present annexe, the term “player” will exclusively refer to male players participating in eleven-a-side football.

6. an international transfer needs to be entered in tMs whenever a player obtains or keeps his professional status (cf. article 2 paragraph 2) after the move in question.

Article 2 System1. tMs provides associations and clubs with a web-based data information system designed

to administer and monitor international transfers.

2. depending on the type of transfer, a variety of information must be entered.

3. in case of an international transfer within the scope of annexe 3, article 1 paragraph 5 where no transfer contract has been signed, the new club must submit specific information and upload certain documents relating to the transfer into tMs. the process is then moved to the associations for electronic itc handling (cf. section 8 below).

4. in case of an international transfer within the scope of annexe 3, article 1 paragraph 5 where a transfer contract has been signed, the clubs involved must, independently of each other, submit information and upload certain documents relating to the transfer into tMs once the contract has been signed. each club’s information is evaluated according to


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whether the most important points match with the details entered by the other club.

5. in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph of this article, the process is only moved to the associations for electronic itc handling (cf. section 8 below) once club-level agreement has been reached.

Article 3 Users1. all users shall act in good faith.

2. all users shall check tMs at regular intervals on a daily basis and pay particular attention to any enquiries or requests for statements.

3. users are responsible for ensuring that they have all the necessary equipment to fulfil their obligations.

3.1 clubs

1 clubs are responsible for entering and verifying transfer instructions in tMs and, where applicable, for ensuring that the required information matches. this also includes uploading the required documents.

2 clubs are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary training and know-how in order to fulfil their obligations. in this regard, clubs shall appoint tMs managers who are trained to operate tMs. the tMs administrators and the relevant hotline may assist them in this respect with all technical-related issues, if need be. Furthermore, annexe 3, article 5.3 applies in this connection.

3.2 associations

1 associations are responsible for maintaining their season and registration details as well as those of their clubs (including, in particular, the categorisation of clubs in connection with the training compensation) and agents. in addition, they are responsible for conducting the electronic itc process (cf. section 8 below) and, where applicable, for confirming players deregistering from their association.

2 associations are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary training and know-how in order to fulfil their obligations. in this regard, associations shall appoint tMs managers who are trained to operate tMs. the tMs administrators and the relevant hotline may assist them in this respect with all technical-related issues, if need be.

3.3 FiFa general secretariat the various competent departments within the FiFa general secretariat are responsible for:

a) entering relevant sporting sanctions and managing possible objections to regulation infringements;

b) entering relevant disciplinary sanctions;

c) entering association suspensions.


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3.4 tMs administrators

tMs administrators are responsible for managing user access.

Article 4 Obligations of Clubs1. clubs must use tMs for international transfers.

2. clubs are obliged to enter transfer instructions by uploading at least the mandatory documents (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 1) and providing the following compulsory data depending on the selected instruction type:– instruction type (engage; release; exchange; engage out of contract)– indication of whether the transfer is against payment– indication of whether the player is being transferred on loan and subsequently

whether the player is returning from a loan, moving permanently or there is a loan extension

– counter club– counter association– Final payment date– payment currency– indication of whether the transfer compensation is in instalments or a single

payment– club(s) agent (as applicable) plus commission– player(s) agent (as applicable)– player’s name, nationality and date of birth– player’s last contract start and end date.– reason for player’s last contract termination– player’s new contract start and end dates– overall agreed and conditional transfer compensation details– overall training compensation– transfer compensation payment schedule including payment type, source or

destination club, payment date, amount and details of transfer compensation conditions

– third-party payment declaration– Bank details (name of bank or bank code; account number or iBan; Bank

address; Beneficiary)

3. clubs are also obliged to provide verification of the transfer instruction that has been entered.

4. equally, clubs are required to resolve matching exceptions with the participation of the other club concerned, if applicable.

5. the procedure in relation to the itc request (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 1) can only be initiated once the club(s) have complied with their obligations in line with the preceding paragraphs of this article.

6. When declaring the execution of a payment, the club making the payment must upload evidence of the money transfer into tMs.


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Article 5 Obligations of the Associationsassociations must use tMs in connection with international player transfers.5.1 Master data

1 the start and end dates of both registration periods and of the season shall be provided at least 12 months before they come into force. under exceptional circumstances, associations may amend or modify their registration period dates up until they commence. once the registration period has begun, no alteration of dates will be possible. the registration periods shall always comply with the terms of article 6 paragraph 2.

2 club address, telephone, e-mail and training category (cf. annexe 4, article 4) information shall be kept up to date.

3 players’ agents licence and insurance details shall be kept up to date.

5.2 transfer-related information1 When entering transfer instructions, clubs shall specify the player involved

(cf. annexe 3, article 4 paragraph 2). tMs contains the details of many players who have participated in FiFa tournaments. if the details of the player involved are not already in tMs, the clubs shall enter them as a part of the transfer instruction. the procedure in relation to the itc request (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 1) may only be initiated once these player details have been verified and confirmed by the player’s former association. the former association shall reject the player if the details of his identity cannot be fully confirmed.

2 the procedure in relation to the itc request (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 2) shall be carried out by the new association at the appropriate time.

3 the procedure in relation to the response to the itc request and the player deregistration (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraphs 3 and 4) shall be carried out by the former association at the appropriate time.

4 in case of itc receipt, the new association is required to enter and confirm the player registration date (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 1).

5 in case of rejection of the itc request (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 7), the new association is required to either accept or dispute the rejection, as the case may be.

in case of provisional registration (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 6) or in case of authorisation for provisional registration by the single judge after the new association has disputed the rejection (cf. article 23 paragraph 3), the new association is required to enter and confirm the registration information.

5.3 club trainingto ensure that all affiliated clubs are able to fulfil their obligations in relation to this annexe, ongoing training is the responsibility of the relevant association.


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Article 6 Role of FIFA General Secretariat1. upon request, the relevant department will deal with any validation exceptions and, if

need be, refer the matter to the competent decision-making body, i.e. the players’ status committee, its single judge, or the drc or a drc judge, as the case may be, for a decision, except for the so-called “player confirmation”, which needs to be dealt with by the association concerned (cf. annexe 3, article 5.2 paragraph 1).

2. upon request, the relevant department will deal with any validation warnings and, if need be, refer the matter to the competent decision-making body, i.e. the FiFa disciplinary committee, for a decision.

3. Within the scope of proceedings pertaining to the application of these regulations, FiFa may use any documentation or evidence generated by or contained in tMs or obtained by FiFa tMs gmbH on the basis of their investigation powers (cf. annexe 3, article 7 paragraph 4) in order to properly assess the issue at stake.

4. sporting sanctions of relevance for tMs will be entered in tMs by the competent department.

5. disciplinary sanctions of relevance for tMs will be entered in tMs by the competent department.

6. association sanctions of relevance for tMs will be entered in tMs by the competent department.

Article 7 Role of FIFA TMS GmbH1. FiFa tMs gmbH is responsible for ensuring the availability of and access to the system.

2. to ensure that all associations are able to fulfil their obligations in relation to this annexe, ongoing training and support of member associations is the responsibility of FiFa tMs gmbH.

3. to fulfil these responsibilities, FiFa tMs gmbH has qualified tMs administrators.

4. to ensure that the clubs and associations are fulfilling their obligations in respect to this annexe, FiFa tMs gmbH shall investigate matters in relation to international transfers or first registrations of minors with clubs in a country of which they are not nationals. all parties in relation to transfers or first registrations of minors in the aforementioned sense are obliged to collaborate to establish the facts. in particular, they shall comply, upon reasonable notice, with requests for any documents, information or any other material of any nature held by the parties. in addition, the parties shall comply with the procurement and provision of documents, information or any other material of any nature not held by the parties but which the parties are entitled to obtain. non-compliance with these requests from FiFa tMs gmbH may lead to sanctions imposed by the FiFa disciplinary committee.

Article 8 Administrative Procedure Governing the Transfer of Professionals Between Associations8.1 principles

1 any professional player who is registered with a club that is affiliated to one association shall not be eligible to play for a club affiliated to a different association unless an itc has been created by the former association and received by the new association in accordance with the provisions of this annexe.


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the itc must be created exclusively via tMs. any other form of itc other than the one created by tMs shall not be recognised.

2 at the very latest, the itc request must be submitted via tMs on the last day of the registration period of the new association.

3 the former association creating the itc shall also upload a copy of the player passport (cf. article 7) to be forwarded to the new association.

8.2 creating an itc for a professional player1 all data allowing the new association to request an itc shall be entered into

tMs, verified and matched by the club wishing to register a player during one of the registration periods established by that association (cf. annexe 3, article 4 paragraph 4). When entering the relevant data, depending on the selected instruction type, the new club shall upload at least the following documents into tMs:– a copy of the contract between the new club and the professional

player;– a copy of the transfer agreement concluded between the new club

and the former club, if applicable;– copy of proof of the player’s identity, such as passport or identity card; – copy of proof of birth date (birth certificate) of the player;– proof of player’s last contract end date. if explicitly requested, a document not available in one of the four official languages of FiFa (english, French, german and spanish) needs to be uploaded together with either a translation of the document in one of the four official languages of FiFa, or an official confirmation of the association of the club concerned that summarises the pertinent facts of each document in one of the four official languages of FiFa. Failure to do so may result in the document in question being disregarded. a professional player is not eligible to play in official matches for his new club until an itc has been created by the former association and received by the new association via tMs and the new association has entered and confirmed the player registration date (cf. annexe 3, article 5.2 paragraph 4).

2 upon notification in the system that the transfer instruction is awaiting an itc request, the new association shall immediately request the former association through tMs to create an itc for the professional player (“itc request”).

3 upon receipt of the itc request, the former association shall immediately request the former club and the professional player to confirm whether the professional player’s contract has expired, whether early termination was mutually agreed or whether there is a contractual dispute.

4 Within seven days of receiving the itc request, the former association shall, by using the appropriate selection in tMs, either:a) create the itc in favour of the new association and enter the

deregistration date of the player; or


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b) reject the itc request and inform the new association that the itc cannot be created because the contract between the former club and the professional player has not expired or that there has been no mutual agreement regarding its early termination.

5 upon receipt of the itc, the new association shall confirm receipt and complete the relevant player registration information in tMs.

6 if the new association does not receive a response to the itc request within 30 days of the itc request being made, it shall immediately register the professional player with the new club on a provisional basis (“provisional registration”). the new association shall complete the relevant player registration information in tMs (cf. annexe 3, article 5.2 paragraph 6). a provisional registration shall become permanent one year after the itc request. the players’ status committee may withdraw a provisional registration, if, during this one-year period, the former association presents valid reasons explaining why it did not respond to the itc request.

7 the former association shall not create an itc if a contractual dispute has arisen between the former club and the professional player. in such a case, the professional player, the former club and/or the new club are entitled to lodge a claim with FiFa in accordance with article 22. FiFa shall then decide on the issue of the itc and on sporting sanctions within 60 days. in any case, the decision on sporting sanctions shall be taken before the issue of the itc. the issue of the itc shall be without prejudice to compensation for breach of contract. FiFa may take provisional measures in exceptional circumstances. if the competent body authorises the provisional registration (cf. article 23 paragraph 3), the new association shall complete the relevant player registration information in tMs (cf. annexe 3, article 5.2 paragraph 6).

8.3 Loan of professional players1 the rules set out above also apply to the loan of a professional player from a club

affiliated to one association to a club affi liated to another association.2 When applying for the registration of a professional player on a loan basis, the new

club shall upload a copy of the pertinent loan agreement concluded with the former club, and possibly also signed by the player, into tMs (cf. annexe 3, article 8.2 paragraph 1). the terms of the loan agreement shall be enclosed with the itc request.

3 upon expiry of the loan period, the itc shall be returned by means of tMs, upon specific request which refers to the original loan instruction and is also submitted via tMs, to the association of the club that released the professional player on loan.

4 Loan extensions and permanent transfers resulting from loans shall also be entered in tMs.

article 9 sanctions9.1 general provision1 sanctions may be imposed on any association or club that violates any of the provisions

of the present annexe.

2 sanctions may also be imposed on any association or club found to have entered untrue or false data into the system or for having misused tMs for illegitimate purposes.


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3 associations and clubs are liable for the actions and information entered by their tMs managers.

9.2 competence1 the FiFa disciplinary committee is responsible for imposing sanctions in accordance

with the FiFa disciplinary code.

2 sanction proceedings may be initiated by FiFa, either on its own initiative or at the request of any party concerned.

9.3 sanctions on associationsin particular, the following sanctions may be imposed on associations for violation of the present annexe in accordance with the FiFa disciplinary code:

– a reprimand or a warning;– a fine;– exclusion from a competition;– return of awards.

these sanctions may be imposed separately or in combination.

9.4 sanctions on clubsin particular, the following sanctions may be imposed on clubs for violation of the present annexe in accordance with the FiFa disciplinary code:

– a reprimand or a warning;– a fine;– annulment of the result of a match;– defeat by forfeit;– exclusion from a competition;– a deduction of points;– demotion to a lower division;– a transfer ban;– return of awards.

these sanctions may be imposed separately or in combination.


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anneXe iiia -adMinistratiVe procedure goVerning tHe transFer oF pLaYers BetWeen associations outside tMs

Article 1 Scopethe present annexe governs the procedure for the international transfer of all players, excluding those concerned by annexe 3 of these regulations. specifically it concerns amateur male players participating in eleven-a-side football, all female players as well as all futsal players.

Article 2 Principles1. any player who is registered with a club that is affiliated to one association shall not

be eligible to play for a club affiliated to a different association unless an itc has been issued by the former association and received by the new association in accordance with the provisions of this annexe. special forms provided by FiFa for this purpose or forms with similar wording shall be used.

2. at the very latest, the itc must be requested on the last day of the registration period of the new association.

3. the association issuing the itc shall also attach a copy of the player passport.

Article 3 Issue of an ITC for a Professional1. all applications to register a professional must be submitted by the new club to the

new association during one of the registration periods established by that association. all applications shall be accompanied by a copy of the contract between the new club and the professional. equally, a copy of the transfer agreement concluded between the new club and the former club shall be provided to the new association, if applicable. a professional is not eligible to play in official matches for his new club until an itc has been issued by the former association and received by the new association.

2. upon receipt of the application, the new association shall immediately request the former association to issue an itc for the professional (“itc request”). an association that receives an unsolicited itc from another association is not entitled to register the professional concerned with one of its clubs.

3. upon receipt of the itc request, the former association shall immediately request the former club and the professional to confirm whether the professional’s contract has expired, whether early termination was mutually agreed or whether a contractual dispute exists.

4. Within seven days of receiving the itc request, the former association shall either:a) issue the itc to the new association; or

b) inform the new association that the itc cannot be issued because the contract between the former club and the professional has not expired or that there has been no mutual agreement regarding its early termination.

5. if the new association does not receive a response to the itc request within 30 days of the itc request being made, it shall immediately register the professional with the new club on a provisional basis (“provisional registration”). a provisional registration shall become permanent one year after the itc request. the players’ status committee


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may withdraw a provisional registration, if, during this one-year period, the former association presents valid reasons explaining why it did not respond to the itc request.

6. the former association shall not issue an itc if a contractual dispute has arisen between the former club and the professional. in such a case, the professional, the former club and/or the new club are entitled to lodge a claim with FiFa in accordance with article 22. FiFa shall then decide on the issue of the itc and on sporting sanctions within 60 days. in any case, the decision on sporting sanctions shall be taken before the issue of the itc. the issue of the itc shall be without prejudice to compensation for breach of contract. FiFa may take provisional measures in exceptional circumstances.

7. the new association may grant a player temporary eligibility to play until the end of the season that is underway on the basis of an itc sent by fax. if the original itc is not received by that time, the player’s eligibility to play shall be considered definitive.

8. the foregoing rules and procedures also apply to professionals who, upon moving to their new club, acquire amateur status.

Article 4 Issue of an ITC for an Amateur1. all applications to register an amateur player must be submitted by the new club to the

new association during one of the registration periods established by that association.2. upon receipt of the application, the new association shall immediately request the

former association to issue an itc for the player (“itc request”).3. the former association shall, within seven days of receiving the itc request, issue the

itc to the new association.4. if the new association does not receive a response to the itc request within 30 days,

it shall immediately register the amateur with the new club on a provisional basis (“provisional registration”). a provisional registration shall become permanent one year after the itc request. the players’ status committee may withdraw a provisional registration, if, during this one-year period, the former association presents valid reasons explaining why it did not respond to the itc request.

5. the foregoing rules and procedures also apply for amateurs who, upon moving to their new club, acquire professional status.

Article 5 Loan of Players1. the rules set out above also apply to the loan of a professional from a club affiliated to

one association to a club affiliated to another association.2. the terms of the loan agreement shall be enclosed with the itc request.3. upon expiry of the loan period, the itc shall be returned, upon request, to the

association of the club that released the player on loan.


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anneXe iV – training coMpensation

Article 1 Objective1. a player’s training and education takes place between the ages of 12 and 23. training

compensation shall be payable, as a general rule, up to the age of 23 for training incurred up to the age of 21, unless it is evident that a player has already terminated his training period before the age of 21. in the latter case, training compensation shall be payable until the end of the season in which the player reaches the age of 23, but the calculation of the amount payable shall be based on the years between the age of 12 and the age when it is established that the player actually completed his training.

2. the obligation to pay training compensation is without prejudice to any obligation to pay compensation for breach of contract.

Article 2 Payment of Training Compensation1. training compensation is due when:

i) a player is registered for the first time as a professional;orii) a professional is transferred between clubs of two different associations

(whether during or at the end of his contract) before the end of the season of his 23rd birthday.

2. training compensation is not due if:i) the former club terminates the player’s contract without just cause (without

prejudice to the rights of the previous clubs); orii the player is transferred to a category 4 club;oriii a professional reacquires amateur status on being transferred.

Article 3 Responsibility to Pay Training Compensation1. on registering as a professional for the first time, the club with which the player is

registered is responsible for paying training compensation within 30 days of registration to every club with which the player has previously been registered (in accordance with the players’ career history as provided in the player passport) and that has contributed to his training starting from the season of his 12th birthday. the amount payable is calculated on a pro rata basis according to the period of training that the player spent with each club. in the case of subsequent transfers of the professional, training compensation will only be owed to his former club for the time he was effectively trained by that club.

2. in both of the above cases, the deadline for payment of training compensation is 30 days following the registration of the professional with the new association.

3. if a link between the professional and any of the clubs that trained him cannot be established, or if those clubs do not make themselves known within 18 months of the player’s first registration as a professional, the training compensation shall be paid to the association(s) of the country (or countries) where the professional was trained. this compensation shall be reserved for youth football development programmes at the association(s) in question.


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Article 4 Training Costs1. in order to calculate the compensation due for training and education costs, associations

are instructed to divide their clubs into a maximum of four categories in accordance with the clubs’ financial investment in training players. the training costs are set for each category and correspond to the amount needed to train one player for one year multiplied by an average “player factor”, which is the ratio of players who need to be trained to produce one professional player.

2. the training costs, which are established on a confederation basis for each category of club, as well as the categorisation of clubs for each association, are published on the FiFa website (www.FiFa.com). they are updated at the end of every calendar year. associations are required to keep the data regarding the training category of their clubs inserted in the transfer matching system (tMs) up to date at all times (cf. annexe 3, article 5.1 paragraph 2).

Article 5 Calculation of Training Compensation1. as a general rule, to calculate the training compensation due to a player’s former club(s),

it is necessary to take the costs that would have been incurred by the new club if it had trained the player itself.

2. accordingly, the first time a player registers as a professional, the training compensation payable is calculated by taking the training costs of the new club multiplied by the number of years of training, in principle from the season of the player’s 12th birthday to the season of his 21st birthday. in the case of subsequent transfers, training compensation is calculated based on the training costs of the new club multiplied by the number of years of training with the former club.

3. to ensure that training compensation for very young players is not set at unreasonably high levels, the training costs for players for the seasons between their 12th and 15th birthdays (i.e. four seasons) shall be based on the training and education costs of category 4 clubs. this exception shall, however, not be applicable where the event giving rise to the right to training compensation (cf. annexe 4 article 2 paragraph 1) occurs before the end of the season of the player’s 18th birthday.

4. the dispute resolution chamber may review disputes concerning the amount of training compensation payable and shall have discretion to adjust this amount if it is clearly disproportionate to the case under review.

Article 6 Special Provisions for the EU/EEA1. For players moving from one association to another inside the territory of the eu/eea, the

amount of training compensation payable shall be established based on the following:a) if the player moves from a lower to a higher category club, the calculation shall

be based on the average training costs of the two clubs.b) if the player moves from a higher to a lower category, the calculation shall be

based on the training costs of the lower-category club.2. inside the eu/eea, the final season of training may occur before the season of the

player’s 21st birthday if it is established that the player completed his training before that time.

3. if the former club does not offer the player a contract, no training compensation is


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payable unless the former club can justify that it is entitled to such compensation. the former club must offer the player a contract in writing via registered post at least 60 days before the expiry of his current contract. such an offer shall furthermore be at least of an equivalent value to the current contract. this provision is without prejudice to the right to training compensation of the player’s previous club(s).

Article 7 Disciplinary Measuresthe FiFa disciplinary committee may impose disciplinary measures on clubs or players that do not observe the obligations set out in this annexe.


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anneX V – soLidaritY MecHanisM

Article 1 Solidarity Contributionif a professional moves during the course of a contract, 5% of any compensation, not including training compensation paid to his former club, shall be deducted from the total amount of this compensation and distributed by the new club as a solidarity contribution to the club(s) involved in his training and education over the years. this solidarity contribution reflects the number of years (calculated pro rata if less than one year) he was registered with the relevant club(s) between the seasons of his 12th and 23rd birthdays, as follows:

– season of 12th birthday: 5% (i.e. 0.25% of total compensation);– season of 13th birthday: 5% (i.e. 0.25% of total compensation);– season of 14th birthday: 5% (i.e. 0.25% of total compensation);– season of 15th birthday: 5% (i.e. 0.25% of total compensation);– season of 16th birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation);– season of 17th birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation); – season of 18th birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation);– season of 19th birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation);– season of 20th birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation);– season of 21st birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation);– season of 22nd birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation);– season of 23rd birthday: 10% (i.e. 0.5% of total compensation).

Article 2 Payment Procedure1. the new club shall pay the solidarity contribution to the training club(s) pursuant to

the above provisions no later than 30 days after the player’s registration or, in case of contingent payments, 30 days after the date of such payments.

2. it is the responsibility of the new club to calculate the amount of the solidarity contribution and to distribute it in accordance with the player’s career history as provided in the player passport. the player shall, if necessary, assist the new club in discharging this obligation.

3. if a link between the professional and any of the clubs that trained him cannot be established within 18 months of his transfer, the solidarity contribution shall be paid to the association(s) of the country (or countries) where the professional was trained. this solidarity contribution shall be reserved for youth football development programmes in the association(s) in question.

4. the disciplinary committee may impose disciplinary measures on clubs that do not observe the obligations set out in this annex.


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anneX B goVerning BodY endorseMent requireMents

points Based sYsteM

Backgroundthis document explains the criteria for football clubs to obtain governing Body endorsements for tier 2 and 5 of the uK Border agency points based system for football players for the 2012/13 season.

Consultationthe following criteria have been agreed by the uK Border agency following consultation between the scottish Fa, scottish premier League, scottish Football League, scottish professional Footballers’ associations, the Managers’ and coaches’ association and the other Home associations of the Fa, the Fa of Wales and the irish Fa.

Durationthe criteria will apply for season 2012/13 and will be effective from 1st July 2012 through to 30th June 2013. the criteria will be reviewed in early 2013 in order that revised criteria may be issued by the 1st May 2013 to operate for season 2013/14.

Criteria for Clubsto be eligible to apply for a governing Body endorsement (gBe) and to become a sponsor and issue certificates of sponsorship a club must be in membership of the scottish premier League or the scottish Football League.

Length of SeasonFor the purposes of the pBs, the playing season for this sport is from July to June. this may vary slightly from season to season depending on the arrangement of the first and last matches.

Criteria for Playersto be eligible for a governing Body endorsement under pBs:1. a player must have played for his country in at least 75% of its competitive “a” team

matches he was available for selection, during the 2 years preceding the date of the application; and

2. the player’s country must be at or above 70th place in the official FiFa World rankings when averaged over the 2 years preceding the date of the application.

3. the application for a gBe must be made by a club in membership of the scottish premier League or scottish Football League and the player will only play for clubs in membership of those leagues.

Competitive Matchesthe definition of a competitive ‘a’ team international match is a:

• World Cup Finals game; • World Cup Qualifying group game; and • Football Association Confederation game, for example:• The FIFA Confederations Cup; • The UEFA European Championships and Qualifiers; • The African Cup of Nations and Qualifiers;


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• The Asia Nations Cup and Qualifiers; • The CONCACAF Gold Cup; • The CONCACAF The Copa Caribe; • The CONMEBOL Copa America; • The OFC Nations Cup and • The UNCAF Nations Cup

International Appearancesprior to submitting an application, clubs should provide written confirmation of the player’s international appearance record over the preceding two years highlighting the competitive ‘a’ matches. this should be obtained from the player’s home association. the governing Body will be unable to make a decision on the application until written evidence is provided. if any evidence submitted needs verifying the governing Body will liaise with other parties and verify all information through all available sources, if necessary.

Injuriesexclusion from selection for international matches due to injury or suspension will be taken into consideration when applying the criteria. clubs should submit supporting evidence in such cases stipulating the games the player has missed. it should be noted that where a player is listed as on the substitutes’ bench, he will not be

considered as injured when reaching a decision on a work permit application.

FIFA Rankingsthere are currently 201 international teams listed in the official FiFa world rankings. those countries which have regularly achieved a 70th placing or higher over a period of two years are regarded as nations who have competed regularly at a highly competitive international level and have players of the highest standard who have contributed consistently to the achievement of that world ranking.

the governing Body will produce the aggregated two-year rankings list on a monthly basis when the official FiFa world rankings are published and those countries ranked 70th or above meet the criterion. the aggregated rankings can be downloaded from this website. if clubs have any queries about the rankings they should contact t-he scottish Fa.

Length of Issuegoverning Body endorsements should be issued for a period appropriate to the period of approval for sponsorship or the tier under which the application is being made, that is:

as a sponsor – tier 2 or tier 5 – for 4 years.

Migrant tier 2 sport

initial application – length of contract or up to three years maximum, whichever is the shorter period.

extension application – length of contract or up to two years maximum, whichever is the shorter period. a second extension of a further two years is possible when the first extension is about to expire.

Migrant tier 5 sporting – length of contract or up to 12 months, whichever is the shorter period.


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no in-country extensions are possible of more than a total period of 12 months. For example if a player initially had six months approval he would be allowed to apply for an extension up to another six months. if a club wishes to continue to employ a player beyond 12 months, the individual will have to return overseas to make a new application.

tier 5 to tier 2 switching

players may enter under tier 5 without the need to demonstrate the competency in english required under tier 2. players may then apply to switch to tier 2 as soon as they have passed the examination in the english language at the appropriate level. For this the club will need to obtain a new endorsement and issue a new certificate of sponsorship. if at the end of the maximum 12 months he cannot meet the english language requirement he will need to return home and obtain further entry clearance for another 12 month period under tier 5.

switching into tier 5 whilst in the uK is not allowed.

extension applications for existing permit or certificate of sponsorship holders

• Where the permit / Certificate of Sponsorship is about to expire and the player meets the criteria outlined above for initial applications.

if a club wishes to retain the services of a player, they should submit a new application before the work permit/ certificate of sponsorship expires. if the criteria are satisfied a certificate of sponsorship will be issued.

• Where the Permit / Certificate of Sponsorship is about to expire and the player does not meet the criteria for initial applications.

Where a club has requested a renewal, the scottish Fa will consult with the other relevant football bodies by email. they will ask whether the application needs to be considered at a panel. if the football bodies recommend unanimously they are satisfied that the changes do not need to be considered by a panel, then the case can be processed without one. if any of the bodies have concerns with a particular application, a panel will be arranged. see section below on panels.

• Where the Permit / Certificate of Sponsorship is about to expire and the player does not meet the criteria for initial applications and the relevant football bodies do not unanimously agree to the renewal then a club may request that it be considered by a panel.

Changes During the Period of ApprovalChange of employmenta club wishing to sign a player from another united Kingdom club must submit an application to the scottish Fa. if the criteria are satisfied, a governing Body endorsement will be issued for a maximum period appropriate for the tier in which the application is being made.

Temporary Transfer of Registration (Loans)if a player on a work permit or certificate of sponsorship is moving to another club in the uK on a temporary transfer of registration (loan) his club must notify uKBa of the fact that he has temporarily moved location. this should be done on the sMs system for players approved under the points Based system or by emailing [email protected] for players currently on a work permit.


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the temporary club does not need to make an application for an individual governing Body endorsement. When a loan becomes permanent the new club WiLL need to make a fresh application on behalf of the player. clubs should note that the change of employment process must be fully completed before the player can play as a permanent employee of the new club.

For the purposes of these requirements, loans are defined as temporary transfers that do not extend beyond the end of the season in which the registration is temporarily transferred. Loans are only permissible within the player’s current period of approval and leave. Loans should not be used to avoid making extension or change of employment applications.Loans from clubs of the Fa, Fa of Wales and the irish Fa will not need a new gBe from the

scottish Fa. players employed by clubs in the scottish premier League and Football League on work permits or certificates of sponsorship cannot be loaned to clubs outside these Leagues.

players on loan from an overseas club to a uK club must meet all the requirements of tier 2 or tier 5 and therefore an endorsement will be required.

contract changes or re-negotiation during the period of approvalWhere a club wishes to re-negotiate a player’s contract to improve his conditions and/or salary or length of contract part-way through their approved period, the club should submit a change of employment application (or extension application if the contract period changes).

if the criteria are met, the application will be processed.

if the criteria are not met:• Where the player’s initial contract was for 12 months or longer and the club have

requested a panel, the scottish Fa will consult with the other relevant football bodies by email. they will ask whether the application needs to be considered at a panel. if the football bodies recommend unanimously they are satisfied that the changes do not need to be considered by a panel, then the case can be processed without one. if any of the football bodies have concerns with a particular application, a panel will be arranged. see section below on panels.

• Where a player’s initial contract was for less than 12 months and the club have requested a panel, it will be arranged as normal.

Trials ArrangementsgBes will not be issued to clubs for the purpose of having players to trial them. clubs may wish to approach the immigration enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766 for further information should they wish to consider taking a non-european economic area (eea) player on trial.

International Transfer Windowsgoverning Body endorsements may be applied for by clubs at any time and will be considered against the criteria as above. clubs should take into consideration the fact that a governing Body endorsement for a player, once issued, must be used within four months.

PanelsWhere an application does not meet the published criteria, a club may request a panel to consider the player’s skills and experience. in these cases the scottish Fa will refer the club’s evidence to an independent panel.


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Where possible the club’s supporting evidence will be sent to the scottish Fa and other football bodies in advance for their consideration in order to allow an informed decision.

the panel will normally consist of representatives from the relevant football bodies together with up to three independent experts. the scottish Fa will endeavour to ensure there are no conflicts of interest between the independent experts and the applicant club. if the applicant club wishes to object to the involvement of any of the independent experts it must do so in writing at least 24hours before the panel hearing explaining their reasons for the objection.

the panel’s terms of reference are:• To consider whether the player is of the highest calibre. • To consider whether the player is able to contribute significantly to the development of

the game at the top level in scotland.

the panel will make a recommendation to the scottish Fa whose decision will then be relayed to the club. the details of the voting will not be disclosed. each member of the panel will provide written reasons for their own decision to the secretary of the panel. a positive vote is required to approve an application (e.g. 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0).

Full terms of reference and roles of the panel members and the club are available to attendees.

clubs should note that, in respect of any application, there will only be one panel available (ie a panel and recommendation, followed by a decision). a club should therefore ensure that all evidence it wishes to present in support of its application is presented to the panel.

if the club has previously made an application that was unsuccessful at panel a further panel cannot be requested for the same player during the season. For these purposes a season is deemed to run from 1 June until 31 May.

Ceasing the employment of playersif the club ceases to employ the player prematurely the club must inform the uK Border agency.

Feesan administration fee of £100 will be charged for each application for a gBe Leave to remain/ Visas.

the scottish Fa is not registered to give advice on immigration. information on aspects of immigration policy and law can be found on the uK Border agency’s web site www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. clubs are advised to allow sufficient time for entry clearance to be granted. the time needed to obtain entry clearance may vary depending upon where the player is applying for entry clearance. service standards are set out for each overseas post on the uKVisas web site:www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/aboutus/customerservicestandards. this site also contains a guide to visa processing for specific overseas posts.

Further Informationthis guidance is available on the web sites of the scottish Fa (www.scottishfa.co.uk) the scottish premier League (www.scotprem.com) and the scottish Football League (www.scottishfootballleague.co.uk)


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Contactenquiries should be directed to:Sandy Bryson • Head of Registrations DepartmentThe Scottish Football Association • Hampden Park • Glasgow G42 9AYTel: 0141 616 6052 • Fax: 0141 616 [email protected] GoverninG boDy enDorsement requirements for mAnAGers of Clubs of the sCottish fA

points Based sYsteM

Backgroundthis document explains the criteria for football clubs to obtain governing Body endorsements for tier 2 and 5 of the uK Border agency points based system for football managers and first team coaches for the 2012/2013 season.

Consultationthe following criteria have been agreed by the uK Border agency following consultation between the scottish Fa, scottish premier League, scottish Football League, professional Footballers’ association, the Managers’ and coaches’ association and the other Home associations of the Fa, the Fa of Wales and the irish Fa.

Durationthe criteria will apply for season 2012/13 and will be effective from 1st July 2012 through to 30th June 2013. the criteria will be reviewed in early 2013 in order that revised criteria may be issued by the 1st May 2013 to operate for season 2013/14.

Criteria for Clubsto be eligible to apply for a governing Body endorsement and to become a sponsor and issue certificates of sponsorship a club must be in membership of the scottish premier League or the scottish Football League. clubs below these leagues are not eligible for endorsement under the points Based system.

Length of Seasonthe playing season for this sport is from July to June. this may vary slightly from season to season depending on the arrangement of the first and last matches. Managers and first team coaches are not subject to transfer windows.

Criteria for Managersgoverning Body endorsements will be issued to managers and first team coaches of the highest calibre who are able to make a significant contribution in footballing terms to the development of the united Kingdom game at the highest level (i.e. clubs competing in the premier Leagues and Football Leagues in england and scotland the Welsh premier League and the irish premier League in northern ireland).

Initial Applicationsto be eligible for a governing Body endorsement:Managers and first team coaches must have overall responsibility for first team selection. Joint or partial responsibility for first team selection does not meet the criteria.


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the manager or first team coach must also:• hold a UEFA professional licence or equivalent; or • have managed or coached in a professional league for at least two of the last five

years; or • have managed or coached an international team with a FIFA ranking of 70th or higher

within the last five years.

FIFA Rankingsthere are currently 201 international teams listed in the official FiFa world rankings. those countries which have regularly achieved a 70th placing or higher over a period of two years are regarded as nations who have competed regularly at a highly competitive international level and have managers or first team coaches of the highest standard who have contributed consistently to the achievement of that world ranking.

the scottish Fa will produce the aggregated two-year rankings list on a monthly basis when the official FiFa world rankings are published and those countries ranked 70th or above meet the criterion. the aggregated rankings can be obtained from the contact given at the end of this document. if clubs have any queries about the rankings they should contact the scottish Fa.

Length of Issuegoverning Body endorsements will be issued for a period appropriate to the period of approval for sponsorship or the tier under which the application is being made, that is: as a sponsor – tier 2 or tier 5 – for 4 years.

Migrant tier 2 sportinitial application – length of contract or up to three years maximum, whichever is the shorter period.

extension application – length of contract or up to two years maximum, whichever is the shorter period. a second extension of a further two years is possible when the first extension is about to expire.

Migrant tier 5 sporting – length of contract or up to 12 months, whichever is the shorter period. no in-country extensions are possible of more than a total period of 12 months. For example, if a manager initially had six months approval he would be allowed to apply for an extension up to another six months. if a club wishes to continue to employ a manager beyond 12 months, the individual will have to return overseas to make a new application.

Extension Applicationsif a club wishes to retain the services of a manager or first team coach, they should submit a new application for a governing body endorsement before the work permit or certificate of sponsorship expires. if the governing Body endorsement criteria are satisfied, a gBe will be issued for the period of their contract, up to a maximum period appropriate for the tier under which the application is being made.

Change of Employmenta club wishing to sign a manager or first team coach from another united Kingdom club must submit an application to the scottish Fa at the address given at the end of this document. if the criteria are satisfied, a gBe will be issued for the period of their contract, up to a maximum period appropriate for the tier under which the application is being made.


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Salaryclubs do not need to include details of a manager’s or first team coach’s salary in the endorsement application.

PanelsWhere an application does not meet the published criteria, a club may request a panel to consider the manager or first team coach’s skills and experience. if a club requests a panel, the scottish Fa will refer the club’s evidence to an independent panel.the panel will normally consist of representatives from the relevant football governing bodies together with up to three independent experts. the scottish Fa will endeavour to ensure there are no conflicts of interest between the independent experts and the applicant club. if the applicant club wishes to object to the involvement of any of the independent experts it must do so in writing at least 24 hours before the panel hearing explaining their reasons for the objection.

the panels’ terms of reference are:• To consider whether the manager or first team coach is of the highest calibre. • To consider whether the manager or first team coach is able to contribute significantly

to the development of the game at the top level in the united Kingdom.

Full terms of reference and roles of the panel members and the club are available to attendees.

the panel will make a recommendation to the scottish Fa whose decision will then be relayed to the club. the details of the voting will not be disclosed. each member of the panel will provide written reasons for their own decision to the secretary of the panel. a positive vote is required to approve an application (e.g. 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0).

clubs should note that, in respect of any application, there will only be one panel available (i.e. a panel and recommendation, followed by a decision). a club should therefore ensure that all evidence it wishes to present in support of its application is presented to the panel.if the club has previously made an application that was unsuccessful at panel, a further panel cannot be requested for the same manager or first team coach during the season. For these purposes a season is deemed to run from July until June.

Feesan administration fee of £100 will be charged for each application for a gBe.

Leave to Remain/Visasthe scottish Fa is not registered to give advice on immigration. information on aspects of immigration policy and law can be found on the uK Border agency’s web site www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. clubs are advised to allow sufficient time for entry clearance to be granted. the time needed to obtain entry clearance may vary depending upon where the player is applying for entry clearance. service standards are set out for each overseas post on the uKVisas website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/aboutus/customerservicestandards. this site also contains a guide to visa processing for specific overseas posts.

Further Informationthis guidance is available on the web sites of the scottish Fa (www.scottishfa.co.uk), scottish premier League (www.scotprem.com), scottish Football League (www.scottishfootballleague.com) and from the Managers’ & coaches association ([email protected]).


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Contactenquiries should be directed to:Sandy Bryson • Head of Registrations DepartmentThe Scottish Football Association • Hampden Park • Glasgow G42 9AYTel: 0141 616 6052 • Fax: 0141 616 [email protected]


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anneX c registration ForM


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anneX d transFer ForM


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anneX e agreeMent BetWeen pLaYer and cLuB


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anneX F scottisH Fa decLaration ForM


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Players’ Agent Regulations

ScottiSh Fa PlayerS’ agentS regulationS

contents

deFinitions and preaMBLeclause 1 generalclause 2 the applicantclause 3 the applicationclause 4 examinationclause 5 issue and status of licenceclause 6 representation of interestsclause 7 players’ agent’s obligationsclause 8 right to make contact, prohibition on approaches clause 9 representation contractclause 10 statement of nameclause 11 engagement of Licensed players’ agentsclause 12 payment, restrictions and assignment of rights and claimsclause 13 resolution of disputesclause 14 sanctionsclause 15 Withdrawal of Licenceclause 16 right of appealclause 17 closing conditions

DEFINITIONS AND PREAmBLE

1. these regulations (“regulations”) are to be read in conjunction with FiFa regulations for players’ agents (“FiFa regulations”)

2. terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.

3. references herein to the articles are to the articles of association of the scottish Fa (as defined in the articles) and, references to specific article numbers are to the corresponding article in the articles.

4. For the purposes of these regulations (unless otherwise specifically stated herein), the terms set out below are defined as follows:

“chief executive” shall mean the secretary of the scottish Fa from time to time.

“club” shall mean a football club playing association Football in accordance with the provisions set out in the articles.

“code of professional conduct” shall mean a declaration to be signed by the players’ agent prior to the issue of the License.

“FiFa” shall mean Federation of international Football associations.


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“FiFa tMs” shall mean the transfer Matching system (as defined in the FiFa regulations for the status and transfer of players) for all professional transfers internationally.

FiFa Website shall mean the website owned and controlled by FiFa.

“indemnity insurance “ shall mean professional Liability indemnity insurance.

“Judicial panel” shall mean the body with that name formed by the Board in terms of the articles.

“Judicial panel protocol” shall mean the protocol relating to the operation of the Judicial panel promulgated by the Board from time to time in accordance with the articles which will incorporate the disciplinary procedures (as defined in the articles) and will also set out disciplinary rules.

“Licence “ shall mean a licence issued by the scottish Fa.

“Licensed” shall mean holding a players’ agent Licence.

“national association “ shall mean a national association in membership of FiFa.

“player” shall mean a player participating in association Football (as defined in the articles) under the jurisdiction of the scottish Fa.

“players’ agent” shall mean a natural person holding a current agent’s licence issued by the scottish Fa who represents, negotiates on behalf of, advises or otherwise acts for a player or a member club in the context of either the transfer of a player’s registration or the terms of a current or proposed contract between a player and a member club.

“professional game Board” shall mean the body with that name formed in terms of the articles.

“regulations” shall mean the scottish Fa players’ agent regulations.

“representation contract” shall mean the FiFa approved contract entered into between a players’ agent and the player/club he represents clearly stating the terms and conditions of the agreement between the parties.

“sFa Website” shall mean the site owned, controlled and


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maintained by the scottish Fa.

“the articles” shall mean the articles of the scottish F a.

“the Board” shall mean the board which shall comprise all of the directors from time to time as constituted in accordance with these articles.

“the scottish Fa” shall mean the scottish Football association Limited.

“ueFa” shall mean union of european Football associations.

Clause 1 – General1. clubs and players will only use the services of players’ agents Licensed by national

associations in negotiations for the conclusion and/or amendment of an employment contract in football or an agreement on the transfer of players subject to the exemptions in 2 below.

2. the terms of para. 1 do not apply if the person acting on behalf of a player is his legal representative, parents, brother, sister or spouse.

3. a register of players’ agents who hold a licence issued by the scottish Fa will be held by the scottish Fa and will be published on the scottish Fa Website and the FiFa website as updated.

Clause 2 – The applicant1. only natural persons are eligible to apply to become a Licensed players’ agent.

2. only those natural persons can apply for a licence who:a) hold the nationality of an eu or eea Member state and are resident in

scotland;b) do not hold the nationality of an eu or eea Member state but have been

resident in scotland for at least two consecutive years. if an applicant resides in a different eu/eea country from the country of which he is a national, he shall send a written application to the association of his country of domicile without the obligation to have resided there continuously for at least two years.

3. an applicant cannot be employed by or hold any office within FiFa, ueFa, the scottish Fa, or a club or any organisation under the auspices of these bodies.

4. the applicant is subject to the terms of these regulations.

Clause 3 – The application1. an application for a Licence must be made in writing by the applicant to the scottish

Fa. the applicant must be a natural person with an impeccable reputation. the applicant is deemed to have an impeccable reputation if there is no criminal sentence for a financial or violent crime as declared in the scottish Fa’s application form. By the act of applying an applicant agrees to abide by the statutes , regulations and directives


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of the competent bodies of FiFa, ueFa and the association’s articles

2. the applicant must submit the following with his application:a) the application fee which is non-refundable and transferable b) a copy of his current passport with two passport sized photographs of

himself signed by the applicant;c) a current utility bill no more than 3 months old;d) any other documents requested by the scottish Fa from time to time.

3. if the applicant fails to submit the items referred to in paragraph 2 to the scottish Fa the application will be rejected.

4. an applicant whose application has been rejected has the right to submit his application to the players’ status committee of FiFa. if FiFa deems the application to be acceptable then FiFa shall instruct the scottish Fa to continue the licensing process. if the FiFa players’ status committee also rejects the application, the applicant may subsequently submit an application to sit the next scheduled exam.

5. the applicant must produce his original passport for inspection on the day of the examination.

Clause 4 – Examination 1. only those natural persons who comply with clause 2 and submit their applications in

accordance with clause 3 of these regulations are eligible to sit the examination.

2. twice a year the scottish Fa will arrange a written examination for applicants to obtain a Licence. these dates are set by FiFa. the scottish Fa has the right to issue rules for this examination.

3. the examination will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions determined by FiFa and 5 multiple choice questions determined by the scottish Fa. the duration of the exam will be no longer than 90 minutes.

4. each correct answer will be awarded one point only. FiFa shall set the minimum mark required to pass the examination

5. the scottish Fa may determine the amount of the registration fee for the examination from time to time.

6. the applicants shall be tested on their knowledge of the current football regulations especially in connection with transfers, the statutes and regulations of FiFa, and the registration procedures of the scottish Fa and FiFa’s confederations and knowledge of civil law, basic principles of personal rights and contract law.

7. an applicant who fails to attain the minimum pass mark as determined by FiFa (in accordance with paragraph 4 above) may apply to re-take the examination on the next available date.

8. an applicant who fails to attain the minimum pass mark at the second attempt may not apply to retake the examination until the next calendar year has elapsed.


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9 after a calendar year has elapsed the applicant may then apply to take the examination a third time when he may choose to be examined by the scottish Fa or by FiFa.

10 if the applicant fails for a 3rd time he may not sit the exam for another two years.

11 the foregoing is subject to changes by FiFa and/or the scottish Fa.

12 the scottish Fa will not enter into any correspondence regarding any question in any examination. the examination mark for an applicant is final and binding.

Clause 5 – Issue and status of the licence1. the scottish Fa will issue the applicant with a Licence if:

a) the applicant has passed the examination referred to in clause 4 of these regulations;

b) the applicant has taken out professional Liability indemnity insurance in his name for the profession of players’ agent and has produced a copy of the policy to the scottish Fa(it being acknowledged and agreed that a group policy must name the agent(s) individually). the scottish Fa may set further rules on the conditions of the professional Liability indemnity insurance.

c) the applicant has signed the code of professional conduct with the scottish Fa.

2. a) the Licence is strictly personal and cannot be transferred/assigned.b) the Licence is issued for a period of five years and will be dated from the

date of the examination which the applicant passed. notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this paragraph 2b are suspended until further notice in accordance with FiFa circular 1298.

3. a players’ agent who holds a licence issued by the scottish Fa has the right to refer to himself as a “players agent licensed by the scottish Fa”. a player’s agent is forbidden from referring to himself as a FiFa agent or using FiFa’s logo and/or wording. He may use on his stationery the scottish Fa’s logo providing he has been given permission in writing by the scottish Fa to do so and providing that said use is in accordance with any conditions attached by the scottish Fa.

4. a players’ agent may not be employed by or hold any office with FiFa, ueFa, the scottish Fa, a recognised football body or any club or any organisation under the auspices of these bodies.

5. if an applicant who has passed the examination does not fulfil all prerequisites within clause 5 paragraph 1 within six months of the date he sat the examination, he shall have to reapply and re-sit the examination at the next scheduled date.

6. an up-to-date list of players’ agents licensed by the scottish Fa will be published on the scottish Fa’s Website, FiFa tMs and on FiFa’s Website.

7. a players’ agent will lose his licence when he no longer fulfils the prerequisites

for holding a licence under clause 5 para 1, as the result of a sanction imposed in accordance with clause 16, or he voluntarily terminates his activity. a players’ agent


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who decides to terminate his activity is obliged to return his Licence. Failure to comply with this provision will result in the licence being cancelled. a players’ agent who terminates his activity must ensure that his professional Liability indemnity insurance remains in place for a period of six months thereafter.

8. the scottish Fa will remove from its database and website the names of those players’ agents who have terminated their activity and advise FiFa accordingly. once notified FiFa will remove their name from the FiFa website and FiFa tMs.

9. a players’ agent who fails to renew his professional Liability indemnity insurance shall be subject to the procedures set out in clause 15 paragraph 2.

Clause 6 – Representation of interests a players’ agent is not permitted to represent the interests of more than one of the parties concerned in the negotiations on the conclusion and/or amendment of a contract/employment agreement in football or an agreement relating to the transfer of players.

Clause 7 – Players’ Agents’ Obligations1. a players’ agent must:

a) comply with the articles and any other rules of the scottish Fa and/or FiFa and the decisions of their executive bodies;

b) refrain from any behaviour that could harm the interests of the scottish Fa and/or the sport of association Football in general;

c) provide timeously all the necessary information requested by the scottish Fa and/or FiFa or one of their authorised bodies;

d) refrain from persuading a player to terminate his player’s contract/employment agreement early or not to comply with his obligations under that contract;

e) ensure that his name and signature appears in every contract/employment agreement entered into as a result of his activities;

f) comply with applicable laws;g) report in writing to the the scottish Fa as required:

- a list of the players whom the agent represents;- a list of the persons who are doing work or conducting activities in an

administrative capacity on behalf of the players’ agent;- up to date contact details;- any other details that are required.

h) immediately report in writing to the scottish Fa any change in any item referred to in clause 7 paragraph 1 (g).

i) not employ or have employed persons who:- do work for, on behalf of or on the instructions of other players’

agents;- are employed by or hold any other office with FiFa, ueFa, the

scottish Fa, a recognised football body or any other organisation connected to these bodies.

j) ensure that the player’s contract of employment contains:- the fee that the players’ agent will receive for concluding this contract

and- who pays him this fee.


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2. a players’ agent is and remains at all times responsible and liable for work and activities carried out or conducted for him, on his behalf or on his instructions.

Clause 8 – Right to make contact, prohibition on approachesthe scottish Fa Licensed players’ agents have the right to:

a) contact any player who is not , or is no longer under a representation contract with another players’ agent;

b) represent the interests of any player or club that requests him to negotiate or renegotiate contracts on his/its behalf;

c) take care of the interests of any player or club which requests him to do so, subject to clause 9 paragraph1 (a).

the scottish Fa Licensed players’ agents are prohibited from approaching any player who is under contract to a club with the aim of persuading him to terminate his contract prematurely or violate any obligations stipulated in the player’s employment contract. unless otherwise established it will be deemed that the player’s agent has induced a breach of contract should a player commit such a breach of contract without cause

Clause 9 – Representation Contract1. a players’ agent may only represent the interests of a party if:

a) the players’ agent has concluded a representation contract in writing with the party concerned. this agreement is also referred to hereinafter as the “representation contract”;

b) the representation contract is registered in accordance with the terms of this clause.

2. it is forbidden to conclude a representation contract for a period of more than two years. if the players’ agents’ client is a under 16 the players’ parent (s)/ legal guardian(s)/carer(s) shall also sign the representation contract in compliance with national law. it may be extended for another maximum period of two years (and subsequent periods of two years) by the signing of a new representation contract and may not be tacitly prolonged.

3. the representation contract must contain agreements about the fee payable by the contracting party to the players’ agent. if the contract does not contain any agreements about the fee, clause 12.3(d) will be applicable.

4. the representation contract must not contain conditions that are contrary to national law, the articles and other rules and regulations of the scottish Fa and FiFa.

5. a) the representation contract must be drawn up and signed in quadruplicate. Within 30 days of signature the players’ agent must send all four copies of the contract by mail to the scottish Fa for signing and registration.b) the scottish Fa will inform the players’ agent in writing of the registration of

the representation contract.c) after registration by the scottish Fa’s administration, three copies are returned

to the players’ agent. the players’ agent is obliged to give one copy of the representation contract to the player or club.


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6. the representation contract will be registered if the applicable laws, articles, rules and regulations of the scottish Fa and FiFa have been complied with.

7. the provisions set out in this clause are without prejudice to the player’s right to conclude an employment contract or transfer agreement without the assistance of a representative. no payment shall be made to a players’ agent when the player exercises his right to personally conclude an employment contract or transfer without the services of the players’ agent unless the representation contract entered into between the player and his agent states otherwise.

8. players’ agents shall avoid all conflicts of interest in the course of their activity. a players’ agent may only represent the interests of one party per transaction and be paid by one party in the transaction. a players’ agent is forbidden from having a representation contract, a co-operation agreement or shared interests with one of the other parties or with one of the other parties’ players’ agents involved in a transfer or in the negotiation of the employment contract.

9. players’ agents licensed by the scottish Fa are advised to use the standard FiFa representation contract which can be amended providing that such amendments comply with national law.

10. the representation contract between the players’ agent and a player may be cancelled by both parties confirming in writing, to the scottish Fa, their agreement to the cancellation.

Clause 10 – Statement of Name a player, players’ agent and club are required to ensure that the players/clubs agent’s name

and signature appears on every player’s contract/employment agreement signed by the player/club in which an agent has represented one of the parties. if a player/club does not use the services of a players’ agent, this must also be specified in the player’s contract/employment agreement.

Clause 11 – Engagement of Licensed Players’ Agents1. subject to the exceptions stated in clause 1 paragraph 2 a player may only engage the

services of a Licensed players’ agent to represent him in the negotiation or renegotiation of an employment contract/employment agreement.

2. subject to the exceptions stated in clause 1 paragraph 2 a player, who does not himself negotiate directly with a club, must only work with a Licensed players’ agent

3. it is a player’s duty to ensure that a players’ agent is correctly Licensed prior to signing the relevant representation contract.

4. subject to the exceptions stated in clause 1 paragraph 2 clubs, if they do not negotiate directly with a player, must only work with licensed players’ agents.

5. it is the club’s duty to ensure that a players’ agent is currently Licensed prior to signing the relevant representation contract.


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Clause 12 – Payment, restrictions and assignment of rights and claimsthe player’s agent must ensure that:1. no compensation payment, transfer compensation, training compensation or solidarity

compensation payable in connection to a players move between clubs is paid by a club to a players’ agent.

2. a players’ agent is strictly forbidden from owning any interest in any transfer compensation or future transfer of a player.

3. the only remuneration a players’ agent may receive in relation to a player’s transfer is as follows –a) the amount of remuneration due to a players’ agent engaged to act on a

player’s behalf shall be based on the basis of the player’s annual basic gross income, including any signing on fee that the player’s agent has negotiated in the employment contract

b) the player’s agent and the player shall decide in advance whether the player shall remunerate the player’s agent with a lump sum payment at the start of the employment contract the player’s agent has negotiated or whether annual instalments will be paid at the end of each contractual year

c) if a players’ agent and the player do not decide on a lump sum and the player’s employment contract negotiated by the players’ agent lasts longer than the representation contract between the player and the players’ agent then the players’ agent will be entitled to annual remuneration, even after expiry of the representation contract, until the relevant player’s contract expires or the player signs a new employment contract without the involvement of the same players’ agent

d) if the players’ agent and the player cannot reach agreement on the amount of remuneration to be paid or the representation contract does not stipulate the amount then the players’ agent is entitled to payment of compensation amounting to 3% of the basic income described in clause 12 paragraph 3 (a) from the employment contract negotiated or renegotiated by the players’ agent on the player’s behalf.

Clause 13 – Resolution of Disputes all differences/disputes between players’ agents licensed by the scottish Fa and: (a) another Licensed players’ agent; (b) a member club or; (c) any body or person who is involved in association Football in scotland under the auspices of or pursuant to a contract with such member (“an associated person”) shall submit all differences or questions between or among players’ agents and/or members and/or associated persons to the jurisdiction of the scottish Fa as set out in the articles of association, and a players’ agent and/or member or an associated person may not take such differences or questions to a court of law except with the prior approval of the scottish Fa.


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Clause 14 – Sanctions subject to investigation by the scottish Fa, the following sanctions may be imposed on players’ agents for violation of these regulations, the articles, and/or any other relevant rules and regulations of the scottish Fa and/or FiFa

- a reprimand or a warning- a fine- a suspension of Licence for up to 12 months- withdrawal of License- a ban on taking part in any football related matter

these sanctions may be imposed separately or in any combination.

Clause 15 - Withdrawal of Licence1. the Judicial panel has the power to suspend/withdraw a licence and apply the sanctions

in clause 14 where:-(a) the players’ agent breaches these regulations, the articles, and/or any other

relevant rules and regulations of the scottish Fa and/or FiFa;(b) the players’ agent acts contrary to the code of professional conduct;(c) the players’ agent announces in writing that he has ceased (or wants to

cease) his activities as a players’ agent;(d) the players’ agent fails to comply with any of the obligations stated within

clause 7 of these regulations; (e) the Judicial panel so determines.

2. a players’ agent shall be automatically suspended upon his insurance policy lapsing or should he fail to meet any of the obligations incumbent on him in clause 7 of these regulations. the following procedure shall apply in such cases:

the players’ agent will be advised by the scottish Fa in writing of the suspension and given 14 days from the date of the letter to arrange new insurance cover and lodge a copy of a new policy with the scottish Fa or comply with any breach of clause 7. the letter shall also confirm that failure to arrange/provide new insurance or remedy any breach of clause 7 within a 14 day timescale will result in the matter being referred to the Judicial panel which shall consider the matter in accordance with the Judicial panel protocol and shall have the power as set out in clause 15.1.

3. a players’ agent whose Licence has been withdrawn by the Judicial panel must immediately return his Licence to the scottish Fa.

Clause 16 – Right to Appeala players’ agent has the right to appeal in accordance with the Judicial panel protocol against a decision of the first instance hearing which imposes a fine, suspension or expulsion or any combination thereof upon such person.

Clause 17 – Closing Conditions cases not dealt with in these regulations will be decided by the scottish Fa’s professional game Board and /or the FiFa regulations.