Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players October 2020
The October 2020 edition of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, approved on 1 October 2020 and in force immediately; temporary rules on the release of players for national teams under quarantine conditions and the return-to-football protocol were inserted in Annexe 1.
| Approval | 1 October 2020 — FIFA Council |
| In force from | Immediately |
| Structure | 29 articles + 7 annexes |
| Status | Superseded — replaced by the February 2021 edition |
What are 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 training compensation and solidarity mechanisms. Certain provisions of these regulations must be incorporated without modification into the internal rules of each national association.
About the October 2020 editionChanges from June 2020
This edition was approved by the FIFA Council on 1 October 2020 and entered into force immediately. The changes focus on Annexe 1 and on managing the release of players under travel-restriction conditions.
Key changes from the previous edition
- Temporary amendments to the release of players for national teamsIt was provided that these amendments apply to all international windows in men's football, women's football and futsal for the remainder of 2020, and that all national-team matches in those windows must comply with the Return to Football — FIFA International Match Protocol or the equivalent confederation protocol.
- Quarantine exception to the obligation to releaseIt was specified that the ordinary release rules apply except where a mandatory quarantine or self-isolation of at least five days exists at the destination or on return.
- Extension of the October and November 2020 windows for UEFAFor UEFA member associations, it was provided that the October and November 2020 windows are extended by one day and that a maximum of three matches per national team is permitted.
- Extension of the June 2021 window for four confederationsFor member associations of the AFC (including Iran), CAF, Concacaf and OFC, it was provided that the June 2021 window is extended by seven days and that a maximum of four matches per national team is permitted.
Who this document matters to
For clubs engaged in international transfers, players and coaches under contract with a foreign club, and 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.