The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has successfully influenced changes in the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) regulations regarding apprenticeship contracts for young professional football players.
Effective from July 1, 2025, football clubs will no longer have the authority to impose apprenticeship contracts on young players without their explicit consent.
On May 31, 2024, the FIGC issued Official Communication no. 233/A, modifying its Internal Organization Rules (NOIF) to extend contract terms for young professional footballers beyond the two-year commitment period permitted by applicable legislation. This provision allowed clubs to unilaterally impose apprenticeship contracts lasting up to three years on registered players, irrespective of their consent.
The AGCM raised concerns about the lack of player autonomy in contract decisions and engaged in a series of hearings with the FIGC, professional leagues, and the Italian Footballers’ Association. As a result, the FIGC revised its rules, culminating in the approval of a new version of the NOIF by the Federal Council on January 30, 2025, under Official Communication no. 159/A.
The revised regulations ensure that the establishment of apprenticeship contracts now requires the express consent of young professional footballers. Players who choose not to agree to an extended contract will retain the right to pursue their football careers with other clubs following the expiration of the standard two-year term.
This regulatory amendment marks a significant step in safeguarding the rights of young footballers in Italy, reinforcing their autonomy in career decisions and preventing clubs from unilaterally extending contract durations. The changes underscore the AGCM’s commitment to promoting fair competition and player rights within the professional football sector.
