Table of contents
Introduction
As a general rule, players who will play in competitions in which professional players participate may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed by the relevant Member Association (cf. art. 6 par. 1 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, hereinafter “the Regulations”).
Players who are to be registered with amateur status and will participate in competitions in which only amateurs participate are subject to the amateur registration period(s) defined by the relevant Member Association.
The main objectives of registration periods are to enhance contractual stability between professional players and clubs as well as to protect the sporting integrity of competitions.
Clubs and their respective Member Associations need to know in advance the season and registration period dates of all Member Associations worldwide in order to be able to plan their transfers and contractual arrangements appropriately. It is therefore essential that Member Associations keep this information up to date in the system at all times.
At least 12 months before they come into force, Member Associations must enter separate season, competition period and registration period dates in TMS for:
- competitions in which professional (and amateur) male players participate;
- competitions in which professional (and amateur) female players participate; and
- male and female competitions in which only amateur players participate.
If your Member Association does not define registration periods for competitions in which only amateur players participate in TMS, it will not be possible to register players for those competitions. Likewise, if no registration periods for male or female professional competitions are entered in TMS, your Member Association will not be able to register players for the competitions concerned.
Professional men’s and women’s registration periods
A professional competition is a competition in which professional players participate. Players with amateur or professional status who take part in such competitions are subject to the professional registration periods defined by the new association.
As required under art. 6 par. 2 of the Regulations, the first registration period for professional competitions:
- may begin as early as the first day after the day on which the competition period of the previous season ended, and at the latest on the first day of the new season; and
- shall not be shorter than eight weeks or longer than 12 weeks.
The second registration period for professional competitions:
- shall normally occur in the middle of the season; and
- shall not be shorter than four weeks or longer than eight weeks.
Amateur competitions
An amateur competition is a competition in which only amateur players (both male and female) participate. Players taking part in such competitions who only have amateur status are subject to the amateur registration period(s) set by the new association.
The requirements outlined above concerning registration periods do not apply to competitions in which only amateurs participate (cf. art. 6 par. 8). There is, however, nothing to prevent Member Associations from setting the same registration periods for both professional and amateur competitions.
If a Member Association intends to keep its amateur registration period open for the entire season, there is no need to enter a second registration period in TMS, provided that the first registration period dates cover the full duration of the season.
In order to safeguard the sporting integrity of competitions, a player registered with a club to play in a competition in which only amateurs participate will only be eligible to play for that same club in a professional competition during the course of one sporting season if the player was initially registered during one of the two registration periods fixed for professional competitions (cf. FIFA circular no. 1693).
If the overwhelming majority of players in a league/competition are amateur, but a few players have employment contracts, the league/competition may be considered to be amateur as long as it maintains an amateur spirit.
Viewing season, competition period and registration period dates
You can view the past, current and future season, competition period and registration period dates of all Member Associations under the “Stakeholders > Associations” tab. Search for the Member Association concerned by using the filters. On the grid, you will immediately see if the Member Association’s registration period for men and women (if applicable) is currently open or closed and until when. The registration periods for men and women can be different.
Note: registration periods for competitions in which only amateurs participate are only visible by selecting “View details” and navigating to the “Registration periods” section.
To view the complete details of the season, competition period and registration period dates, click on “Transfer seasons”. The current season is highlighted in blue, and the type defines whether the season is for professional male competitions, professional female competitions, or male and female competitions in which only amateurs participate.
Note: if you are unsure about what a symbol in this section means, simply hover the cursor over the symbol for more information.
You can view past season, competition period and registration period dates by clicking on “SHOW MORE”.
You can view the opening and closing dates of the registration periods for both men and women at the top of the page in TMS. This information is visible from any tab in TMS; you do not need to navigate to the “Stakeholders” tab to view it.
On the last day of your registration period, you will see a countdown clock that indicates how many hours are left until your registration period closes.
This information is particularly useful for the new association as a reminder to request the ITC before the end of its registration period (see the section “ITC request”).
Updating your season, competition period and registration period dates in TMS
In exceptional circumstances, and with the prior written approval of FIFA Regulatory Compliance, Member Associations may amend their season, competition period and registration period dates before they begin. Once a registration period has begun, no alteration of dates will be possible.
Before updating this information in TMS, Member Associations must obtain the written approval of FIFA Regulatory Compliance by sending a formal request to TMShelpdesk@fifa.org. Circulars and explanatory notes issued by FIFA may provide additional details regarding this subject. You can find a list of such official documents on https://www.fifa.com.
Regulatory Compliance will be actively monitoring compliance with these obligations.
Any failure to enter the season, competition period and registration period dates 12 months in advance (or in accordance with the deadlines set by a specific FIFA circular letter) is an offence subject to the administrative sanction procedure (ASP).
FIFA may determine the dates for any Member Association that fails to communicate them on time.
You can update your season and registration period dates by clicking on the pencil symbol at the top of the page in TMS.
Alternatively, you can click on “Edit” next to your Member Association’s details in the “Stakeholders > Associations” tab and navigate to the “Registration periods” section.
You can modify the current or future season, competition period and registration period dates by clicking on the three dots next to the relevant line.
Professional male and professional female competitions
To add a new set of season, competition period and registration period dates, click on “ADD NEW SEASON”. You may need to scroll to the bottom of the window to access the relevant button.
A new window (“Add new season”) will appear. Scroll through it and complete all fields accurately. You can either enter the dates manually or use the calendar function.
If the season, competition period and registration period information is identical for professional male and professional female competitions, you may select both types to enter the information simultaneously. This should only be used if the season, competition period and registration period dates are exactly the same for the selected competitions.
If the season, competition period and registration period dates are not the same, enter the information for each competition separately by selecting only one type (e.g. “Men professional”, “Women professional” or “Amateur”).
If the season and registration period dates are the same each year, you may select the option “Repeat for the next:” to enter these same dates for up to the next three consecutive years.
Review the information and click “SAVE”.
Male and female competitions in which only amateurs participate
To add the registration periods for male and female competitions in which only amateurs participate, click on “ADD REGISTRATION PERIOD” and select “Amateur” as the type.
Scroll through the window and complete all fields accurately. You can either enter the dates manually or use the calendar function.
If your Member Association only has one registration period for male and female competitions in which only amateurs participate, the “Registration period 2” fields may be left empty.
Review the information and click “SAVE”.
