FIFPRO board discusses player transfer rules

FIFPRO's board met on 9 and 10 September to discuss a range of issues affecting professional footballers including when their employment rights are impacted by the transfer system.

Channelling the voice of over 70 national player associations, FIFPRO's 12-person global board carries the responsibility of defending the working rights of more than 65,000 men's and women's football players.

Among the top issues on the agenda at the meeting in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands were transfer regulations following last year's ruling by the European Court of Justice in the case brought by Lassana Diarra.

The board discussed both the process of amending the regulations to bring them in line with European Union law, and the content of what those rules should comprise. FIFPRO has long argued for a process of collective stakeholder negotiation.

The talks also covered the legal implications for both active and former players whose careers might have been affected by the sections of the transfer rules which stood for more than 20 years and have now been declared illegal under EU law.

In other discussions, the board scrutinised important issues with a view to strengthening FIFPRO's membership and representativeness and analysed the implementation of its new governance structure that was approved last year.

FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips said: "The board had productive discussions over two days about how to pursue the best interests of players at every level of the game.

"There are no easy solutions in a complex environment involving stakeholders with different interests, but we are committed to working through issues with dialogue in a proper process to guarantee fair working conditions for players.

"The board members from each region continue to show great dedication and resolve in pursuing our common goals."