FIFA has released its first-ever International Player Transfer Guide, aimed at providing stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the player transfer process. This initiative forms part of FIFA’s ongoing commitment to reforming the transfer system, one of the strategic objectives for the 2023-2027 cycle.
The Guide collates practical information to ensure compliance with the regulatory and technical requirements set out in the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (the RSTP) and in the Transfer Matching System (the TMS).
Following the introduction of the FIFA Clearing House (the FCH), a centralised system that regulates international football player transfers to ensure compliance with rules and safeguard against exploitation, entering information accurately in TMS has become paramount for the effective operation of the FCH and the accurate distribution of training rewards.
Key features of the guide:
- Step-by-step transfer process. Walks clubs and member associations through the entire transfer process, detailing necessary preparations and required documentation.
- Registration periods and deadlines. Provides clarity on the different registration periods across FIFA member associations, ensuring smooth transfers in adherence with deadline days.
- Payment proofs and system blocks. The guide emphasises the importance of uploading proof of payment and offers solutions to prevent and address potential system blocks.
- Loans, minors, and amateur players. Particular sections are dedicated to the transfer procedures for loan agreements, minors, and amateur players.
- TMS usage. The TMS is mandatory for all international transfers involving male, female, professional, amateur, and minor football players. Accurate data entry into the TMS is crucial for the FCH, which centralises and automates financial transactions between clubs to ensure the correct distribution of training rewards.
The international transfer process
- Negotiation and conclusion of relevant agreements. The employment contract between the new club and the player, as well as the transfer agreement between the player’s former and new club are concluded.
- Transfer instructions in TMS. Both clubs involved must have active TMS accounts, in which they must submit all necessary data and documents. Designated employees authorised by FIFA can access TMS to enter player details, agreements, and payment terms. This includes fees such as fixed transfer fees, buy-out fees, conditional fees, and sell-on fees. Any transfer agreements must be accurately recorded in TMS for transparency.
- ITC request process. The new association initiates the International Transfer Certificate (the ITC) request for the player, adhering to registration period rules. The former association has 7 days to respond to the ITC, in accordance with the RSTP.
- ITC receipt and registration of the player. Upon receipt of the ITC or following no response to the ITC request within 7 days, or the authorisation from the FIFA Football Tribunal in case of an ITC dispute, the new association enters the player registration in TMS and registers the player using its national registration system (the NRS).
- Eligibility. Once all steps are completed and in compliance with competition rules, the player becomes eligible to play for their new club.
Final remarks
The publication of this Guide marks a significant step in FIFA’s strategic efforts to adapt football regulations to the dynamic global landscape, ensuring the sport remains fair, transparent, and well-regulated.
By navigating the complexities of international transfers within the framework of the TMS, clubs and associations ensure adherence to FIFA regulations and streamline player transfers seamlessly across borders.
By Jomana Nayed
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