FIFA and players’ union FIFPRO have reached a major agreement that could change how football contracts work.
The agreement is expected to make release clauses a standard part of player contracts from January 1, 2027.
Release clauses are already common in Spain. They allow a player or club to end a contract if a set buyout fee is paid.
The system could now be introduced across the Premier League and other leagues.
Under the planned changes, players and clubs would be required to include buyout figures in contracts. These figures would allow contracts to be ended under agreed conditions.
In Spain, clubs often use very large release clauses to protect their players. Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal reportedly has a €1 billion release clause in his contract.
The change is part of several reforms FIFA wants to introduce after reaching an agreement with FIFPRO.
The agreement will also give players more representation in major decisions affecting the game.
FIFPRO will have a stronger role in football governance and will hold a veto over key areas. FIFA confirmed the deal was agreed on the condition that FIFPRO drops all legal proceedings against it.
In October 2024, FIFPRO filed a complaint against FIFA over the busy match calendar.
Earlier this week, former France midfielder Lassana Diarra reached a settlement in his dispute against FIFA and the Belgian FA. The case came after he was blocked from completing a move to Charleroi in 2014 following the end of his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow.
The new agreement is also expected to give players stronger protections.
Players will be protected from unfair treatment, including being forced to train alone or having their passports taken away.
They will also have the right to end their contracts while still receiving money they are owed. Players will also be able to claim compensation for expenses and seek up to six months of extra pay in damages.
FIFPRO president Sergio Marchi welcomed the agreement.
“This agreement represents an important step forward for football,” Marchi said.
“Ensuring that players and their representatives have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their careers is not only beneficial for footballers, but for the game as a whole.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also said he was pleased that both sides had reached an agreement.
Speaking at the Azteca Stadium, Infantino said: “It’s about unity, about bringing everyone together.”
“We’ve always been having dialogues. Now, sometimes you don’t agree, when you don’t agree, well, you can go and say it to everyone, or you can sit down and discuss and see what makes sense. So, we signed a memorandum of understanding with FIFPRO, everything is agreed.”
The agreement between FIFA and FIFPRO will run until December 2031.
It also officially recognises FIFPRO as the worldwide union for professional footballers.
For the first time, FIFPRO will have a seat on the FIFA Council. Player representatives will also sit on FIFA’s legal committees.
Another major change is expected next year. Some players will receive a share of their transfer fee.
This rule is already used in Spain. Footballers earning less than €150,000 per year will be entitled to 5% of their fixed transfer fee.
Players can waive this right, but a minimum amount must still be met. The percentage cannot fall below the player’s fixed salary for the final year of their contract or 2.5% of the total fixed transfer fee, whichever amount is higher.
