FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players - October 2019 edition
The October 2019 edition of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, approved on 3 June 2019 and in force from 1 October 2019; this edition introduced the global unique player identifier (FIFA ID) and the electronic registration of players into the regulations.
| Approval | 3 June 2019 — FIFA Council |
| In force from | 1 October 2019 |
| Structure | 29 articles + 7 annexes |
| Status | Superseded — replaced by the January 2020 edition |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 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 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 2019 editionChanges from June 2019
This edition was approved by the FIFA Council on 3 June 2019 and entered into force on 1 October 2019. Its most significant development is the introduction of the digital player identity infrastructure into the text of the regulations.
Key changes from the previous edition
- Detailed definition of the "registration" of a playerFor the first time, a precise list of the data items of a registration was defined: the start date of registration, full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, amateur or professional status, type of football (eleven-a-side, futsal, beach), club name and identifier, and training category.
- Introduction of the "electronic player registration system"Associations became obliged to maintain an online system for the registration of all players, connected to the FIFA Connect system through an application programming interface (API) and providing the data of all players from the age of 12.
- Definition of the global unique identifier (FIFA ID)A global, unique identifier was defined for each club, association and player, allocated by the FIFA Connect system.
- Express definition of "international transfer"An international transfer was defined as "the movement of the registration of a player from one association to another association".
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.