NFF goes Dutch with club licensing

The Football Association of Norway (NFF) has introduced new procedures and criteria for granting licences to clubs in its top professional divisions.

The new model, which the NFF first presented in November, is based on that of the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), with modifications to meet Norwegian standards.

One of the main changes is the implementation of a continuous licensing system, whereby a licence, once issued, is valid until it expires due to relegation or revocation. Clubs are required to focus more on creating realistic budgets and on developing young players themselves.

With the new programme, the NFF aims to be more hands-on in its support of clubs all year round. As a result, it hopes its leading teams will establish a responsible and positive environment for the sustainable and reliable development of players.