Employment Regulations in Saudi Arabian Football Clubs: Understanding the Legal Landscape for Employees, Coaches, and Players
Sports & Events Management Focus
Mohsin KhanPartner,Employment & Incentives
Bandar AlHamidaniPartner,Corporate Commercial,Sports & Events Management
Hamza AjajTrainee Lawyer,Employment & Incentives
The world of professional football in Saudi Arabia has grown significantly in recent years, with the Saudi Pro League now attracting global attention. Alongside the growth of the game, understanding the legal framework that governs the employment of individuals within football clubs is crucial. This article aims to provide an overview of the legal obligations and rights that apply to different roles in football clubs, specifically employees, managers, and players. While the Saudi Labour Law governs the employment of most individuals in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, unique provisions apply to the football industry, particularly for coaches and players.
In football clubs, the employment relationships between administrative and non-sporting staff members are exclusively subject to the Saudi Labour Law. This law ensures that their employment rights and obligations are protected in a manner consistent with other sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia given that the parties of an employment contract cannot contract out of it or agree to release a right or an obligation.
The Saudi Labour Law’s application to these employees means that football clubs, like other employers, are bound by its rules, including those governing working hours, rest periods, and employee benefits. Additionally, the law provides protection from discrimination and unfair treatment, ensuring a stable and just work environment within football clubs.
Unlike other employees, football coaches and players in Saudi Arabia are not governed by the Saudi Labour Law. Instead, their employment is subject to a distinct regulatory framework, which recognises the unique nature of their roles within the sports industry. The Saudi Labour Law expressly excludes coaches and players from its provisions, which means that these individuals must rely on other regulations that specifically govern their employment within the sports sector.
Coaches, particularly head coaches and managers, play a pivotal role in the performance of football clubs. Their contracts are typically performance-based, often tied to the success of the team, and may include various performance indicators that influence job security, bonuses, and other benefits. Given the exclusion from the Labour Law, clubs and managers must carefully negotiate contracts that cover all aspects of their employment relationship. This includes termination clauses, performance metrics, and compensation packages, which are often more complex and tailored than those of general employees.
For both coaches and players, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has issued the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players 2024, which provide the framework for their employment. These regulations govern everything from contract negotiations to player transfers between clubs. In addition, FIFA's global regulations also apply, particularly for international transfers of players, creating a dual layer of legal obligations for clubs operating in Saudi Arabia.
The Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players 2024 ensure that football players are protected under a contractual regime that is distinct from the usual employment laws. For instance, players typically sign fixed-term contracts, which may span only a few seasons, and these contracts are regulated in accordance with international standards set by FIFA. Issues such as player transfers, image rights, and performance bonuses are all governed by these regulations, ensuring that players are fairly compensated and that their rights are upheld.
Under these regulations, football clubs are obligated to honour contracts with players, while players are equally bound to fulfil their contractual obligations. Breaches of contract by either party can result in significant legal consequences, including fines, suspension from matches, or even bans from player transfers. FIFA’s regulations also play a critical role in ensuring that player transfers are conducted transparently, both domestically and internationally.
Player mobility is a crucial aspect of modern football, with transfers forming a key part of both the domestic and international football markets. In Saudi Arabia, the SAFF regulations ensure that player transfers comply with both local laws and international football governance standards. The International Transfer Matching System (ITMS) is used to manage transfers between clubs globally, ensuring transparency and compliance with FIFA’s regulations.
Football players in Saudi Arabia, especially foreign players, must also navigate immigration laws concerning work visas and residency permits. These processes are streamlined for players, given their importance to the sport's development, but they remain crucial legal hurdles that must be addressed with the appropriate legal advice.
With Saudi Arabia’s increasing involvement in international football, particularly through the recruitment of world-class players, the country has seen recent reforms to its employment regulations in sports. These changes are aimed at creating a more attractive environment for international talent while ensuring that Saudi players and coaches also benefit from the growth of the local league.
The SAFF regulations provide clearer guidelines for the employment of players and coaches, addressing issues such as transfer windows, and the rights of players during contract negotiations. This legal framework is designed to align with FIFA’s global standards while also respecting the local context of Saudi Arabian football.
The legal framework governing employment in Saudi Arabian football clubs is multifaceted. While most employees are protected under the general provisions of the Saudi Labour Law, coaches and players are governed by specific regulations issued by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and FIFA.
Understanding the complexities of these regulations is essential for anyone involved in football in Saudi Arabia, whether as a representative of a club, employee, manager, or player.
For further information,please contact Mohsin Khan, Bandar AlHamidani and Hamza Ajaj.
Published in October 2024
