Table of contents
This article refers to the following from the FIFA regulations:
- Article 6 of Annexe 4 to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP)
- Pages 395 to 404 of Chapter 8 of the Commentary on the RSTP
Introduction
Special provisions for training compensation apply for transfers of players between clubs affiliated to different Member Associations within the territory of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA). These provisions apply regardless of player nationality and are designed to reflect specific circumstances pertaining to certain aspects of EU law, most notably the principle of freedom of movement for workers.
The contract offer rule
As a general rule, and without prejudice to the potential training compensation entitlement of the player’s training clubs, if the former club does not offer the player a contract, no training compensation is payable to the club.
Considering that the aim is to prevent any potential obstacles to the free movement of the players within the EU/EEA, the contract offer rule applies regardless of the status of the player with the former club.
Accordingly, to retain its entitlement to training compensation, the player’s former club is required to upload to TMS as part of the EPP review process a valid contract offer that must:
- have been issued in writing at least 60 days before the expiry of a professional player’s current contract or at any time during the player’s registration with the club if the player was registered as an amateur with the former club;
- match the professional player’s current salary, including the fixed salary and any bonuses, benefits, etc. No equivalent contract value requirements apply if the player was registered as an amateur with the former club;
- be documented with comprehensive offer records. Emails can be accepted if the club provides proof of delivery.
An example of a valid contract offer is provided below.
If the former club is not in a position to offer a player a contract, it must document a genuine interest in retaining the player’s services and provide evidence explaining why it did not make a professional contract offer but should nevertheless be entitled to training rewards. The relevant document must be uploaded to the EPP under the “Exemption of Contract Offer” category.
For more information, see “Submitting proof of a professional contract offer or an exemption of contract offer”.