European football unites behind key principles of the football transfer system and its reform

EFC, European Leagues, FIFPRO Europe, and UEFA driving change through EU social dialogue

The recognised European social partners in professional football – European Football Clubs and European Leagues, representing employers, and FIFPRO Europe, representing employees – and UEFA as the Chair, have today issued a joint resolution on the key principles of the football transfer system and its reform, following a formal process of social dialogue. 

This process has been conducted following the October 2024 "Diarra" judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU which challenged some of the key provisions of the transfer regulations (RSTP) that required adjustments to ensure compliance with EU law. Further, the ruling prompted European football to collectively review how transfer system regulations can be reinforced to provide long-term stability, fairness, legal certainty, and a balanced regulatory environment in which both clubs and players can thrive. 

Adopted at the plenary meeting of the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Football, held under the auspices of the European Commission in Brussels on 26 November, the joint resolution sets out a shared framework grounded in EU law and collective governance to guide ongoing and future FIFA-level reforms.

It focuses on finding a balance between legitimate club interests and protecting players’ individual rights and freedom of movement, upholding the role of leagues and clubs in developing and sustaining the game, the redistributive effects of the transfer system, and enhancing transfer procedures to make them simpler, more efficient and more transparent – all with a view to supporting the long-term integrity, growth and competitiveness of European football.

Home to nearly 90 percent of global transfer market value and to the most significant flows of player movement and contract activity, Europe has a responsibility to lead – and a legitimate role in shaping rules that affect its clubs, players, competitions and the overall ecosystem. The social partners and UEFA have agreed to continue collective discussions on the transfer system within the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee in 2026, with particular focus on compensation, training rewards and solidarity mechanisms, protection for players and career pathways for under-18 players, and strengthening national dispute resolution structures. 

Beyond the transfer system, the social partners have focused on three other workstreams this year; DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion), national social dialogue support and occupational health and safety. Discussions on occupational health and safety have centred on the physical and mental demands of the modern game in men’s and women’s football – from managing holistic workload to protecting adequate off-season and in-season rest, as part of the international match calendar. The joint work across all four workstreams, including the transfer system, will continue next year, with a view to developing common solutions.

The ‘Resolution of European social partners on the key principles of the football transfer system and its reform’ can be consulted in full HERE.