MFA, member clubs welcome abolition of transfer parameters

The Malta Football Association and the clubs’ standing committees of all divisions in the National League issued a joint statement to express their satisfaction at the milestone decision regarding the important amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players as approved during the videoconference meeting of the Association’s Council, held yesterday evening.

The abolition of the transfer fees for out-of-contract players, previously established through a transfer parameters system, is among the most conspicuous amendments approved unanimously today, a landmark moment for Maltese football. It is the culmination of a long consultation process, spanning several years and involving domestic social partners and international stakeholders, including FIFA, UEFA, FIFPro, the European Club Association (ECA) and the European Leagues.

Locally, most of the discussions have taken place during the regular meetings of the Social Dialogue Committee which is made up of representatives of clubs (employers) and players (employees).

This process has also been completed within the timeframe set by FIFA in an evaluation report sent to the Malta FA a few months ago.

The key changes concerning professional players include:

• Free movement for out-ofcontract professional players

• Transfer parameters have been abolished

• Removal of the ‘Transfer List’

• New compensation mechanism for breach of contract where there is no agreement between the club and the player

• Reduction of training compensation co-efficients

• Harmonisation with FIFA regulations

The key changes concerning amateur players include:

• Removal of nursery compensation

• Parameters have been abolished

• Removal of the ‘Transfer List’ The MFA Council yesterday decided that next season’s Premier League will get under way on Friday 11 September and will come to an end on 25 April, because of the European Championship finals

Sixteen teams will take part.