A newer edition of this regulation is available: January 2027

Football·International Regulations·FIFA

FIFA RSTP-2010

Superseded2010
Adopted
2010/06/07
In force from
2010/10/01
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The 2010 edition of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, approved on 7 June 2010 and in force from 1 October 2010; the Transfer Matching System (TMS) and Article 19bis on academies were introduced into the regulations in this edition.

Approval7 June 2010 — FIFA Executive Committee
In force from1 October 2010
Structure29 articles + 5 annexes
StatusSuperseded — replaced by the 2012 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 binding global 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 for training compensation and solidarity contribution. Certain provisions of these regulations must be incorporated without modification into the internal regulations of each national association.

About the 2010 editionChanges from the 2008 edition

Pursuant to Article 29, this edition was approved by the FIFA Executive Committee on 7 June 2010 and came into force on 1 October 2010. The volume of the text has increased appreciably compared with the previous edition (from approximately 8,800 to approximately 13,500 words).

Key changes from the previous edition

  1. Introduction of the Transfer Matching System (TMS) into the text of the regulationsIt was provided that the two registration periods of each season be entered in the TMS at least 12 months before they come into force. Under the previous edition, mere "communication to FIFA" was sufficient.
  2. Addition of Article 19bis — registration and reporting of minors at academiesThis article was inserted for the first time in this edition and obliged associations also to report minors present at academies that have no legal relationship with a club.
  3. Change in the timing of the enforcement of sporting sanctionsUnder the previous edition, such sanctions applied "from the beginning of the following season at the new club"; the new text provides that they be enforced immediately upon notification of the decision to the player, with suspension during the period between the last official match of the season and the first official match of the following season.
  4. Specification of the minimum obligations of the new club towards a minorFour express obligations were added to the text (football education at a standard commensurate with national standards, academic or vocational education, appropriate accommodation and care with the appointment of a mentor, and provision of proof of compliance with these requirements to the association).

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 relevant event occurred; for that reason, access to the text of earlier editions is of practical importance for past cases.