Table of contents
This article refers to the following provisions of the FIFA Regulations:
- Article 1 par. 3(a) and articles 5, 11, 19 and 19bis of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP)
Academy definition
Academies are defined as “an organisation or an independent legal entity whose primary, long-term objective is to provide players with long-term training through the provision of the necessary training facilities and infrastructure. This shall primarily include, but not be limited to, football training centres, football camps, football schools, etc.” (cf. definition 12 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, hereinafter “the Regulations”).
Club academies and private academies
How club and private academies differ
A club academy is “an academy with legal, financial or de facto links to the club” (art. 19bis par. 1 of the Regulations), whereas a private academy is an academy without legal, financial or de facto links to the club.
Obligations
When dealing with academies, both Member Associations and clubs have certain obligations.
Obligations of Member Associations
- Ensure that all private academies in their territory either:
- run a club that participates in the relevant national championships (cf. art. 19bis par. 2 (a) of the Regulations); or
- report all minors who attend the academy for the purpose of training (cf. art. 19bis par. 2 (b) of the Regulations).
- Keep a register of the names and dates of birth of minors reported by clubs or academies (i.e. club academies and private academies) (cf. art. 19bis par. 3 of the Regulations).
- Submit a minor application in TMS to request the approval of the Players’ Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal, where applicable. See “Minors: scope”.
Obligations of clubs
- Report all minors (including names and dates of birth) who attend the academy to the Member Association (cf. art. 19bis par. 1 of the Regulations).
- Register minors before fielding them in official matches, following approval by the PSC where required (cf. arts. 5 and 11 of the Regulations).
National regulations
Member Associations should note that according to art. 1 par. 3 (a) of the Regulations: "The following provisions are binding at national level and must be included without modification in the association’s regulations: articles 2-8, 10, 11, 12bis, 18, 18bis, 18ter, 19 and 19bis”.