FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players - June 2020 edition (with temporary COVID-19 amendments)
The June 2020 edition of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, approved on 10 June 2020; the first edition to incorporate the temporary amendments arising from the COVID-19 pandemic into the official text of the regulations.
| Approval | 10 June 2020 — FIFA Council |
| In force from | Immediately; article 1 paragraph 2, article 20, article 22 (e) and Annexe 5 article 1 paragraphs 1 and 2 from 1 July 2020 |
| Structure | 29 articles + 7 annexes (with temporary amendments) |
| Status | Superseded — replaced by the October 2020 edition |
What is the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players?
The FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) determine the global and binding framework for the registration of players, their amateur or professional status, transfers between clubs affiliated to different associations, contractual stability, the protection of minors and the mechanisms of training compensation and solidarity. Certain articles of these regulations must be incorporated without modification into the internal regulations of each national association.
About the June 2020 edition (temporary COVID-19 amendments)Changes from March 2020
Pursuant to article 29, this edition was approved by the FIFA Council on 10 June 2020 and came into force immediately, with the exception of article 1 paragraph 2, article 20, article 22 paragraph (e) and Annexe 5 article 1 paragraphs 1 and 2, which took effect from 1 July 2020. The text of this edition states that the temporary amendments approved by the FIFA Council as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be reviewed periodically and removed in due course.
Key changes from the previous edition
- Registration with three clubs in a single season permittedAs a temporary exception, it was provided that in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons (for associations with a two-year calendar) players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs and play in official matches for three clubs.
- Registration outside the window for contracts ended due to COVID-19As a temporary exception, a professional player whose contract has expired or been terminated as a result of COVID-19 acquired the right to be registered outside a registration period — irrespective of the date of expiry or termination.
- Overlap of the registration period with the end of the seasonIt was provided that the first registration period of the 2020/21 season may overlap with the completion of the 2019/20 season by a maximum of four weeks; during that interval, the transfer of a player and the engagement of a free agent are permitted, but the player will only be eligible for the new club in domestic competitions of the 2020/21 season.
- Recognition of collective bargaining agreements in contractual stabilityIt was added that valid collective bargaining agreements negotiated at national level in accordance with national law may derogate from the principles set out in paragraphs 1 and 2.
Who this document matters to
For clubs engaged in international transfers, players and coaches under contract with a foreign club, agents and sports lawyers, this document is the principal basis for the legal assessment of a case. In any dispute, the applicable edition of the regulations is the one that was in force at the time the event occurred; for that reason, access to the text of earlier editions is of practical importance for past cases.