The following terms and expressions shall, wherever used herein, have the meanings set out opposite thereto. A reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa unless the context requires otherwise.

• Kingdom: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• SAFF: Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

• Board: SAFF Board of Directors.

• International Federation: Fédération Internationale de Football Association “International Federation of Association Football” (FIFA).

• Statutes: SAFF Statutes.

• RSTP: Regulations on Professionalism and Status and Transfer of Players.

• Committee: SAFF Professionalism and Status of Players Committee.

• Chamber: The National Dispute Resolution Chamber referred thereto as (NDRC).

• Club: A sports establishment or company having a separate legal personality or officially licensed by the competent authorities to practice football and acts as a member of SAFF or a league and participates with at least one team.

• Former Club: The club from which the player is transferred.

• Current Club: The club at which the player is registered.

• New Club: The club to which the player is transferred within or outside the Kingdom.

• Present Federation: The federation to which the Present Club is affiliated.

• New Federation: The federation to which the New Club is affiliated.

• Game: Football Player An amateur or professional

• player: registered with any club affiliated to SAFF.

• Trained Player: A Player who is included in the Training Allowance Entitlement range.

• Agent: A natural person licensed by FIFA to perform and render football related services in favor or on behalf of a customer including any negotiation or communication for concluding or preparing for a transaction or any other activity with a view to conclude the same.

• Administrative Staff: The Board of Directors and workers at the club.

• Professionalism and Players’ Status Manager: A party other than the two clubs between which the player is transferred and any former club at which the player was registered.

• Protected Period: A period of three entire seasons or three years, whichever comes first, commencing after the agreement takes effect, where such agreement is concluded before the professional turns 28 years old, or two entire seasons or two years, whichever comes first, commencing after the agreement takes effect, where such agreement is concluded after the professional turns 28 years old.

• Academy: An organization or an independent legal entity licensed by the competent authority in the Kingdom and whose primary objective is to train players through the provision of the necessary training facilities and infrastructure.

• Registration Period: A period fixed by SAFF for registration of players according to Article (29) of such Regulations.

• Sports Season: A period of twelve (12) consecutive months fixed by SAFF during which its official competitions such as national league championships and national cup competitions take place.

• Competition Period: The period that starts to run from the first official match in the local league or cup competition, whichever comes first and ends with the last official match played in such a competition.

• Probation Period: An interval during which a player, who is not registered with a club, shall be subject to evaluation by such club.

• Annual Circular: The annual circular issued by the Committee prior to or during the Sports Season and it shall be supplementary to the Regulations until expiry thereof.

• Circulars: SAFF periodical circulars.

• National Team: All national teams subject to SAFF control.

• Monthly Salary: The financial consideration received by the professional player at the end of every calendar month inclusive of housing allowance, transport allowance and any other allowance.

• Training Compensation: The payments made to the club(s) or academies that trained and educated (developed) the player from the age of (12 to 21 years).

• Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS): An electronic system the objective of which is to simplify transfer of players between local clubs, secure conformity of the particulars of the players registered with such clubs and improve transparency and flow of information.

• International Transfer Matching System (ITMS): An electronic system the objective of which is to simplify transfer of players between local clubs and foreign clubs, secure conformity of the particulars of the players registered with such clubs and improve transparency and flow of information.

• Minor Player: A player who is under the age of 18 years.

• Professional Club League Association: Professional Club League Association represents Saudi Pro League, Saudi First Division League, and Saudi Second Division League associations organizing and managing the Pro League.

• Arbitration Center: Saudi Sports Arbitration Center (SSAC)

• Parties Governed By such Regulations: Clubs, players, agents and managers of professionalism and status of players at the club.

• Bridge Transfer: The transfer of the same player for two correlated and consecutive times at the local or international level. This includes registration of the same player with a medium club to circumvent the relevant regulations or laws or deceive another person or entity.

Such Regulations have as their objectives the following:

• 1. To establish rules and controls that govern the relation between Players, Coaches, Agents, and Clubs;

• 2. To regulate the status of Players and their transfer between Clubs;

• 3. To disseminate the culture and requirements of professionalism among Players, Coaches, Agents, and Clubs;

• 4. To regulate the organization and function of the Committee responsible for taking decisions relating to the objectives and the procedures to be followed before said body; and

• 5. To regulate and control Players’ wages.

1. The Regulations constitute the main reference for the provisions regulating the status of players and their eligibility to participate in the competitions organized by SAFF or Pro Club Leagues.

2. The Regulations constitute the main reference for registration and transfer of Players between domestic Clubs.

3. Such Regulations establish and set out the rules concerning the resolution of disputes that may arise between:

• i. Clubs;

• ii. Clubs and Players;

• iii. Clubs and Coaches;

• iv. Clubs and Agents; and

• v. Players and Agents.

4. Such Regulations shall apply to disputes with a national dimension only

1. The Committee shall be comprised of a chairman, a deputy chairman, and three (3) members with experience in football and professionalism-associated fields. They shall be appointed by a Board resolution for a renewable four-year term.

2. Two (2) members at least shall hold a bachelor’s degree in law or at least an equivalent degree.

3. Each Committee member shall be proficient in Arabic and at least one Committee member shall be proficient in the Arabic and English language.

4. The Committee membership shall be forfeited where the member is absent for three meetings in a year without a reasonable excuse. Where a member declines or his office becomes vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Board shall take proper actions to appoint a replacement.

1. The Chairman shall preside over the Committee meetings.

2. Where the Chairman is absent, the Deputy Chairman shall preside over the Committee meetings

. 3. The Chairman shall determine the dates of the Committee meetings, ensure performance of all duties and submit a report to this effect to the Board.

4. The Committee meetings are deemed to be valid if attended by majority of members including the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman.

5. The Committee meetings shall be held at the SAFF headquarters or via telephone, video conference, by circulation or any other means of communication deemed reasonably necessary by the Chairman, or Deputy Chairman in his absence.

6. The Committee shall take its resolutions by absolute majority. Where there is a tie, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

The Committee shall:

• 1. Monitor compliance with such Regulations, consider all disciplinary issues contained therein and take resolutions thereon;

• 2. Decide on complaints set forth under Article (8) of such Regulations that may arise between the Parties governed by such Regulations in connection with the implementation of the provisions thereof;

• 3. Issue, amend or supplement the Annual Circular prior to the commencement of the Sports Season. The Annual Circular shall form an integral part of such Regulations setting out the dates and requirements of the Registration Periods;

• 4. Determine the status of Players in different competitions organized by the SAFF or the Professional Club League;

• 5. Approve the standard player contract templates;

• 6. Process and approve applications for Registration, Contract amendment or renewal or relevant settlements;

• 7. Apply the sanctions set forth under Chapter XXII of such Regulations on the Parties governed thereby where it has been found that they violated such Regulations, resolutions, Annual Circulars or Circulars;

• 8. Draft any amendments to such Regulations and submit these proposals to the Board for approval; and

• 9. License managers of professionalism and status of players.

1. The SAFF shall secure a sufficient number of Committee secretaries and they shall report to the Committee Chairman.

2. The Committee Secretary shall prepare the minutes of Committee meetings and have them signed by the Committee members. The Committee Secretary shall further assume any tasks assigned to him or her within the framework of the Committee’s powers.