Player contract agreement in Brussels
Thursday, April 19, 2012
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UEFA has concluded an agreement with the social partners of the professional football sector to ensure minimum standards for player contracts in the EU and the rest of the UEFA territory.
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UEFA today concluded a historic agreement with the "social partners" of the professional football sector to ensure minimum standards for player contracts in the European Union (EU) and the rest of the UEFA territory.
The agreement, the first of its kind in team sport at European level, was signed by UEFA, the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), the European Club Association (ECA) and the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels – Division Europe (FIFPro Division Europe) in a ceremony hosted by the European Commission in Brussels.
The agreement sets out minimum requirements for players' contracts in order to protect both players and clubs, safeguarding player welfare and ultimately contributing to good governance in European football.
"It is a pleasure to have the European football family united around the same table, speaking with a united voice," said UEFA President Michel Platini. "We got here through a lot of work, good faith and mutual trust. I would like to thank all parties, and especially the European Commission, for providing the framework for this dialogue. The EU social dialogue has been a key priority for me since I became the President of UEFA."
The EU Social Dialogue Committee for professional football was created in July 2008 and brings together the organisations representing the employers and the employees to work together to agree jointly on employment and social conditions in the professional football sector. UEFA, as the governing body of European football, has a seat on the committee and the UEFA President chairs it.
The minimum requirements agreed today require, for example, that contracts must:
• be in writing
• define the basic rights and duties of club and player
• address matters such as salary, health insurance, social security, paid leave etc.
• contain provisions on dispute resolution and applicable law
They also include an obligation for the player to participate in training, maintain a healthy lifestyle and comply with applicable disciplinary procedures.
The XXXVI Ordinary UEFA Congress formally approved the agreement on 22 March in Istanbul, and it has also been approved by the relevant decision-making bodies of the EPFL, ECA and FIFPro Division Europe.
