As of this month, all international football transfers must be done through the Fifa Transfer Matching System (TMS), an online platform that makes international transfers quicker, smoother and more transparent.
It was introduced in February 2008, as a test phase in 18 countries, and since then it has been implemented in all Fifa member associations and overall in 3 633 clubs.
“This is a historic moment for football. TMS is a relatively simple online system, but it will have a tremendous impact on the international transfer of players,” says Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
“Thanks to TMS, football's authorities have more details available on each and every transfer. The most important thing is that it increases the transparency of individual transactions and helps us to tackle issues such as the fight against money laundering and the protection of minors in transfers.”
Ensuring compensation
The soccer governing body explains that the two clubs involved in a transfer have to enter the same information in TMS, otherwise the transfer will be blocked and the member association cannot issue the International Transfer Certificate.
“Overall, more than 30 details on each transfer have to be entered, such as information on the player, club details, all payments including the amount, timing and bank details, and solidarity payments to previous clubs.
“These details must also be backed up by documentary evidence consisting of uploaded copies of the player's identification documents, his new employment contract and the transfer contract between his former and future club. The new system replaces the old paper-based system.”
Fifa says TMS also has a vital role to play when it comes to young and minor players. “By keeping track of individual player histories, the system can be used to ensure that proper compensation payments can be calculated for clubs that have trained young players, but have then seen them leave for other clubs.”
The system has also been adapted to assist Fifa's efforts to reduce the number of international transfers involving under-age players, adds the governing body.
“Following approval by the Fifa Congress, any such transfers must first be approved by a sub-committee of the Fifa Players' Status Committee (along with any applications for a minor player to be registered for the first time in a country where he is not a national), and TMS handles both the initial request and the subsequent decision-making process.”
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