FIFPro Opinion: Protection of minors

FIFPro advocates the protection of minors. In particular, the monitoring of international transfers involving players below the age of 18 is an absolute necessity in order to combat exploitation and the trafficking of these young players. FIFPro is opposed to any form of exploitation of young players.

FIFPro deems it desirable that players complete their footballing education at a club in their own country or region. In order to do so, they should preferably play for the first team of the club that  has trained and educated them.

Even though FIFPro respects the principle of free movement, the players’ union believes that transfers of minors (under 18 years) should only be permitted in exceptional cases. In this regard, FIFPro agrees with the exceptions named by FIFA in article 19 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

FIFA forbids the international transfer of players below the age of 18, unless one of the three exceptions mentioned in article 19b on the Protection of Minors applies.

It still too often appears that young players are the victims of clubs and agents who become involved with them purely out of a desire to make money. Minor players arrive in a foreign country where they are promised the earth. However, if they do not live up to expectations, then often everybody loses interest in them and promises are not kept. The young players are then left to fend for themselves and sometimes disappear completely from the football world.

FIFPro is one of the parties helping FIFA to monitor the transfers of minors. The world players’ union has a seat on a commission which assesses all international transfers involving minors. No minor may change clubs without the approval of the members of this monitoring commission.