FIFA FIFA Minor Protection & Youth Transfer Rules 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum age at which a football club may register a player under FIFA regulations?
- 12 years old (Correct answer)
- 14 years old
- 16 years old
- 18 years old
Correct answer: 12 years old
FIFA regulations set 12 years old as the minimum age at which a club may officially register a player.
Question 2: Under FIFA's minor protection framework, what special requirement applies to a representation contract signed with a player who is under 18?
- The contract must be approved by the FIFA Players' Status Committee
- The contract must be countersigned by the player's parent or legal guardian (Correct answer)
- The contract term cannot exceed six months
- The agent must waive their commission for minor clients
Correct answer: The contract must be countersigned by the player's parent or legal guardian
Representation contracts involving minor players must be countersigned by the player's parent or legal guardian to be valid under FIFA regulations.
Question 3: Which FIFA regulation specifically addresses the protection of minors in football and sets out the framework for their international transfers?
- FIFA Statutes Article 5
- FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players Article 19 (Correct answer)
- FIFA Football Agent Regulations Chapter 3
- FIFA Club Licensing Regulations Annex 4
Correct answer: FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players Article 19
Article 19 of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players is the primary provision establishing the protection framework for minors in international football transfers.
Question 4: If a club is found to have illegally registered a minor player obtained through an unauthorized international transfer, what sanction can FIFA impose on the club?
- Only a financial fine
- A transfer ban prohibiting the registration of new players for up to three transfer windows (Correct answer)
- Mandatory relegation to a lower division
- Loss of the club's FIFA affiliation
Correct answer: A transfer ban prohibiting the registration of new players for up to three transfer windows
FIFA may impose a transfer ban of up to three registration periods on clubs found guilty of illegally registering minors through unauthorized international transfers.
Question 5: A non-EU minor aged 17 seeks to move internationally to join a professional club's academy. Which FIFA exception could apply?
- Exception 1: EU/EEA family relocation
- Exception 2: Parents' country of domicile is within 50km
- Exception 3: Club guarantees education and suitable living conditions for 16-18 year olds (Correct answer)
- No exception applies; all non-EU minor transfers are permanently banned
Correct answer: Exception 3: Club guarantees education and suitable living conditions for 16-18 year olds
FIFA's third exception allows non-EU minors aged 16–18 to transfer internationally provided the club guarantees proper education, living conditions, and football training.
Question 6: What is the role of the FIFA Players' Status Sub-Committee in the context of minor protection?
- It negotiates transfer fees on behalf of minor players
- It reviews and approves or rejects applications for international transfers of players under 18 (Correct answer)
- It sets the minimum wage for youth academy players
- It issues FIFA agent licenses for those working exclusively with minors
Correct answer: It reviews and approves or rejects applications for international transfers of players under 18
The FIFA Players' Status Sub-Committee is the body that evaluates applications for international minor transfers, ensuring each case meets FIFA's strict criteria.
FIFA FIFA Minor Protection & Youth Transfer Rules 2
What is the minimum age at which a football club may register a player under FIFA regulations?