The introduction of a
new regulatory framework for player loans is another important step in the
context of the wider reform of the transfer system, the process of which began
in 2017. Initially planned to start in July 2020, the implementation of the new
rules had to be delayed as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussions with the different
stakeholder groups have laid the foundations for this new framework and ensured
that the new rules are firmly anchored on the following core objectives:
- Developing young players
- Promoting competitive balance
- Preventing the hoarding of players
To ensure that these objectives are achieved, the new regulatory framework will include:
- The requirement of a written agreement defining the terms of the loan, in particular its duration and financial conditions.
A minimum loan duration, being the interval between two registration periods, and a maximum loan duration, being one year
A prohibition on sub-loaning a professional
player who is already on loan to a third club
A limitation on the number of loans per
season between the same clubs: at any given time during a season, a club may
only have a maximum of three professionals loaned out to a single club and a
maximum of three professionals loaned in from a single club
A limitation on a club’s total number of loans per season. To ensure that this is implemented smoothly, there will be a transitional period as follows:
- From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, a club may have a maximum of eight professionals loaned out and eight loaned in at any given time during a season.
- From 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, the same configuration applies but with a maximum of seven professionals.
- Finally, from 1 July 2024, the same configuration will apply but limited to a maximum of six professionals.
- Players aged 21 and younger and club-trained players will be exempt from these limitations.
At domestic level, FIFA’s member
associations will be granted a period of three years to implement rules for a
loan system that is in line with the principles established at international
level.