FIFA TMS & International Transfer Certificate 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS)?
- To set mandatory transfer fee caps for international transfers
- To provide transparency and oversight for international player transfers (Correct answer)
- To rate football agents based on their transfer volume
- To automatically approve transfers between FIFA member associations
Correct answer: To provide transparency and oversight for international player transfers
TMS was introduced to increase transparency, combat corruption, and provide FIFA with oversight of all international player transfers.
Question 2: Which category of transfers is EXEMPT from mandatory TMS entry under FIFA regulations?
- Transfers of players over age 35
- Domestic transfers within the same association (Correct answer)
- Loan transfers lasting less than 3 months
- Transfers involving non-FIFA-licensed agents
Correct answer: Domestic transfers within the same association
TMS applies exclusively to international transfers (between different national associations); purely domestic transfers are handled by each national association's own system.
Question 3: In TMS, what is the status of a transfer instruction after both clubs have submitted matching data but before FIFA validates it?
- Pending
- Matched (Correct answer)
- Approved
- Active
Correct answer: Matched
Once both clubs submit matching instructions in TMS, the status changes to 'Matched,' indicating alignment but not yet final approval.
Question 4: Who has administrative access to review all transfer instructions entered into TMS?
- Only the two clubs involved in the transfer
- FIFA and both national associations involved (Correct answer)
- The player's agent and the two clubs
- FIFA exclusively, with no access for clubs or associations
Correct answer: FIFA and both national associations involved
TMS grants access to the clubs involved, both national associations, and FIFA, ensuring multi-level transparency and oversight.
Question 5: When must a transfer agent's involvement and any fees payable to them be disclosed in TMS?
- Only if the agent fee exceeds $100,000
- At the time the transfer instruction is submitted (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days after the transfer is completed
- Only upon request by FIFA
Correct answer: At the time the transfer instruction is submitted
Agent representation and fees must be declared within TMS at the time of transfer instruction submission to ensure full financial transparency.
Question 6: What type of financial information about a transfer must clubs mandatorily enter into TMS?
- The player's salary at the new club only
- All transfer-related payments including fees, add-ons, and agent fees (Correct answer)
- Only the headline transfer fee
- Agent fees only if they exceed the transfer fee
Correct answer: All transfer-related payments including fees, add-ons, and agent fees
Clubs must disclose all financial flows related to the transfer in TMS, including the transfer fee, any conditional payments (add-ons), and agent/intermediary fees.
Question 7: A club fails to enter mandatory transfer details into TMS. Which FIFA body has jurisdiction to sanction the club?
- The FIFA Players' Status Committee
- The FIFA Disciplinary Committee (Correct answer)
- The FIFA Ethics Committee
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport
Correct answer: The FIFA Disciplinary Committee
TMS non-compliance is treated as a disciplinary breach, placing it under the jurisdiction of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
FIFA TMS & International Transfer Certificate 3
What is the primary purpose of FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS)?