FIFA Football Agent Exam Study Materials (January 2024 Edition) PDF

FIFA Football Agent Exam Study Materials Edition January 2024 Table of Contents Abbreviations & Definitions.........................................................................................................................................3 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................4 1. Chapter I: Study Materials....................................................................................................................................5 a. FIFA Statutes (2022. ed.)...................................................................................................................................6 b. FIFA Disciplinary Code (2023. ed.)............................................................................................................. 102 c. FIFA Code of Ethics (2023. ed.)................................................................................................................... 157 d. FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (May 2023. ed.)........................................ 204 e. FIFA Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal (March 2023 ed.)..................................... 306 f. FIFA Clearing House Regulations (2022. ed.)........................................................................................... 339 g. FIFA Football Agent Regulations (2022. ed.)........................................................................................... 375 h. FIFA GuardiansTM Child safeguarding toolkit for Member Associations.......................................... 415 i. FIFA GuardiansTM Safeguarding Essentials: Course 1........................................................................... 505 2. Chapter II: Support materials............................................................................................................................. 590 a. FIFA Circular no. 1827: FIFA Football Agent Regulations (2022 edition).……………………………………591 b. FIFA Circular no. 1853: Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players – categorisation of clubs and registration periods....................................................................................................................... 613 c. FIFA Circular no. 1867: Failure to respect settlement agreements – competence of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….627 d. FIFA Circular no. 1873: FIFA Football Agent Regulations: update on implementation……………..630 e. FIFA Football Agent FAQs (March 2023 ed.)........................................................................................... 633 f. FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules (January 2024 ed.)............................................................................... 689 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 02 Abbreviations & Definitions Approved Candidate: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules Candidate: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules Exam: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Regulations Exam Fee: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules Exam Rules: as defined as ‘Rules’ in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules Exam Session: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules Exam Venue: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules FFAR: FIFA Football Agent Regulations Football Agent: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Regulations Host Association: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Exam Rules Platform: as defined in the FIFA Football Agent Regulations Study Materials: as defined in the Exam Rules and contained in this document Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 03 Introduction On 16 December 2022, the FIFA Council approved the new FFAR reintroducing the Exam to the licensing procedure for individuals to become Football Agents licensed by FIFA. On 1 October 2023 the FFAR came fully into force. In accordance with the Exam Rules, Candidates shall prepare for the Exam by studying the Study Materials provided by FIFA and answer 20 Platform-generated questions in English, French or Spanish. These Study Materials are intended to help Candidates to prepare for the Exam and are compiled from the FIFA resources freely accessible on the FIFA website. As the Exam will be delivered with an open-book concept, the use of these Study Materials will be allowed throughout the Exam Session, either in its digital form in the Platform or as a physical printed copy brought to the Exam Venue. Host Associations shall not provide any printed copies at the Exam Venue. Use of unofficial, translated or amended versions of the Study Materials which are not identical to their original versions available on FIFA.com is not allowed. Handwritten notes and highlights are allowed only in printed versions of these Study Materials. Apart from the Study Materials, FIFA has provided a number of support materials contained within this document to be used by Candidates to better use and understand the Study Materials and the new concepts introduced by the FFAR and to have key information on hand to answer certain types of questions. This document has been created to encompass all the relevant Study Materials in one place required to study for the 3rd Exam scheduled for 22 May 2024. Should any FIFA regulations change or come into force between the publication of these Study Materials and the 3rd Exam, those changes shall not affect the contents of the Exam and the Study Materials. However, FIFA strongly recommends that Candidates keep themselves informed on all FIFA regulatory changes in order to be prepared for their work as a Football Agent in case they successfully obtain the licence from FIFA. Please note that the Exam will not be based on the suspended provisions of the FFAR as per FIFA Circular no. 1873. For the avoidance of any doubt, FIFA is not organising nor endorsing any preparatory courses for the Exam and the Study Materials shall remain as the only source of for Candidates’ preparation. Please consider the environment before printing this document as it will be accessible in the PDF format throughout the Exam. FIFA encourages the use of this document in a digital format. Zurich, January 2024 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 04 1. Chapter I: Study Materials All questions in the Exam will be based on the following Study Materials: (i) FIFA regulations: a. FIFA Statutes (2022 ed.) b. FIFA Disciplinary Code (2023 ed.) c. FIFA Code of Ethics (2023 ed.) d. FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (May 2023 ed.) e. FIFA Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal (March 2023 ed.) f. FIFA Clearing House Regulations (2022 ed.) g. FIFA Football Agent Regulations (2022 ed.) (ii) FIFA materials: a. FIFA GuardiansTM Child safeguarding toolkit for Member Associations b. FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding Essentials: Course 1 i. These Study Materials include a transcript of Course 1 of the FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding Essentials course. The relevant module, i.e. Course 1, can be also taken online as an Open Learner at safeguardinginsport.fifa.com/open- learners/. FIFA recommends the completion of the course in preparation for the Exam, but it is not mandatory. Please note that accessing of the course during the Exam is to be considered as a breach of the Exam Rules. The relevant appendices and enclosures are equally important as they may be used in some practical case studies presented in the Exam. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 05 STATUTES May 2022 edition Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 06 Fédération Internationale de Football Association President: Gianni Infantino Secretary General: Fatma Samoura Address: FIFA-Strasse 20 P.O. Box 8044 Zurich Switzerland Telephone: +41 (0)43 222 7777 Internet: FIFA.com Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 07 FIFA STATUTES REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE STATUTES STANDING ORDERS OF THE CONGRESS May 2022 edition Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 08 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 09 CONTENTS 3 FIFA STATUTES DEFINITIONS 8 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 10 1 Name and headquarters 10 2 Objectives 10 3 Human rights 11 4 Non-discrimination, equality and neutrality 11 5 Promoting friendly relations 11 6 Players 12 7 Laws of the Game 12 8 Conduct of bodies, officials and others 12 9 Official languages 13 II. MEMBERSHIP 14 10 Admission, suspension and expulsion 14 11 Admission 14 12 Request and procedure for application 15 13 Member associations’ rights 15 14 Member associations’ obligations 16 15 Member associations’ statutes 17 16 Suspension 18 17 Expulsion 19 18 Resignation 19 19 Independence of member associations and their bodies 20 20 Status of clubs, leagues and other groups of clubs 21 III. H ONORARY PRESIDENT, HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT AND HONORARY MEMBER 22 21 Honorary president, honorary vice-president and honorary member 22 IV. CONFEDERATIONS 23 22 Confederations 23 23 Confederations’ statutes 25 V. ORGANISATION 27 24 Bodies 27 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 10 4 CONTENTS A. CONGRESS 28 25 Congress 28 26 Vote, delegates, observers 28 27 Candidates for the office of FIFA President, for the Council and for the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee and the judicial bodies 29 28 Ordinary Congress agenda 31 29 Adoption of and amendments to the Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress 33 30 Elections, other decisions, requisite majority 34 31 Minutes 35 32 Effective dates of decisions 35 B. COUNCIL 36 33 Composition, election of the President, the vice-presidents and the members of the Council 36 34 Powers of the Council 37 C. PRESIDENT 40 35 President 40 D. GENERAL SECRETARIAT 41 36 General secretariat 41 37 Secretary General 41 E. BUREAU OF THE COUNCIL 43 38 Bureau of the Council 43 F. STANDING COMMITTEES 44 39 Standing committees 44 40 Finance Committee 45 41 Development Committee 46 42 Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions 46 43 Football Stakeholders Committee 47 44 Member Associations Committee 47 45 Referees Committee 47 46 Medical Committee 47 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 11 CONTENTS 5 VI. ANNUAL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE 48 47 Annual member associations conference 48 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 49 48 Institutional independence 49 49 Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee 49 50 Judicial bodies 51 51 Disciplinary Committee 53 52 Ethics Committee 53 53 Appeal Committee 54 VIII. FOOTBALL TRIBUNAL 55 54 Football Tribunal 55 IX. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES 56 55 Disciplinary measures 56 X. ARBITRATION 58 56 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) 58 57 Jurisdiction of CAS 58 58 Obligations relating to dispute resolution 59 XI. SUBMISSION TO DECISIONS OF FIFA 61 59 Implementation of decisions 61 60 Sanctions 61 XII. FINANCE 62 61 Financial period 62 62 Auditors 62 63 Membership subscriptions 62 64 Settlement 63 65 Levies 63 XIII. RIGHTS IN COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS 64 66 Rights in competitions and events 64 67 Authorisation to distribute 64 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 12 6 CONTENTS XIV. COMPETITIONS 65 A. FIFA FINAL COMPETITIONS 65 68 Competition venues 65 B. INTERNATIONAL MATCHES AND COMPETITIONS 67 69 International match calendar 67 70 International matches and competitions 67 71 Contacts 67 72 Authorisation 68 XV. FINAL PROVISIONS 69 73 Dissolution 69 74 Transitory provisions 69 75 Enforcement 70 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE STATUTES I. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO FIFA 1 Application for admission 71 2 Confederations 71 II. MATCH AGENTS AND FOOTBALL AGENTS 72 3 Match agents 72 4 Football agents 72 III. ELIGIBILITY TO PLAY FOR REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS 73 5 Principles 73 6 Nationality entitling players to represent more than one association 74 7 Acquisition of a new nationality 75 8 Stateless individuals 76 9 Change of association 76 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 13 CONTENTS 7 IV. SPORTING INTEGRITY 80 10 Principle of promotion and relegation 80 V. LAWS OF THE GAME 81 11 Amendments to the Laws of the Game 81 VI. REFEREES AND ASSISTANT REFEREES 82 12 Nomination 82 13 Report 82 14 Reimbursement 83 VII. FINAL PROVISIONS 84 15 Objectives 84 16 Enforcement 84 STANDING ORDERS OF THE CONGRESS STANDING ORDERS OF THE CONGRESS 85 1 Participation in the Congress 85 2 Chair 85 3 Scrutineers 86 4 Interpreters 86 5 Debates 87 6 Speakers 87 7 Proposals 88 8 Procedural motions and closing of debates 88 9 Votes 89 10 Elections 90 11 Calculation of majorities 91 12 Enforcement 92 Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 14 8 DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS The terms given below denote the following: 1 FIFA: “Fédération Internationale de Football Association”. 2 Association: a football association recognised as such by FIFA. It is a member of FIFA, unless a different meaning is evident from the context. 3 League: an organisation that is subordinate to an association. 4 British associations: the four associations in the United Kingdom – The Football Association, The Scottish Football Association, The Football Association of Wales and The Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland). 5 The IFAB: The International Football Association Board (IFAB). 6 Country: an independent state recognised by the international community. 7 Confederation: a group of associations recognised by FIFA that belong to the same continent (or assimilable geographic region). 8 Congress: the supreme and legislative body of FIFA. 9 Council: the strategic and oversight body of FIFA. 10 Bureau of the Council: the bureau of the Council as defined in art. 38 of these Statutes. 11 Laws of the Game: the laws of association football issued by The IFAB in accordance with art. 7 of these Statutes. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 15 DEFINITIONS 9 12 Member association: an association that has been admitted into membership of FIFA by the Congress. 13 Official: any board member (including the members of the Council), committee member, referee and assistant referee, coach, trainer and any other person responsible for technical, medical and administrative matters in FIFA, a confederation, a member association, a league or a club as well as all other persons obliged to comply with the FIFA Statutes (except players, football agents and match agents). 14 Club: a member of an association (that is a member association of FIFA) or a member of a league recognised by a member association that enters at least one team in a competition. 15 Player: any football player licensed by an association. 16 Association football: the game controlled by FIFA and organised by FIFA, the confederations and/or the member associations in accordance with the Laws of the Game. 17 Official competition: a competition for representative teams organised by FIFA or any confederation. 18 Stakeholder: a person, entity or organisation which is not a member association and/or body of FIFA but has an interest or concern in FIFA’s activities, which may affect or be affected by FIFA’s actions, objectives and policies, in particular clubs, players, coaches and professional leagues. NB: Terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice versa. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 16 10 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 1 Name and headquarters 1. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is an association registered in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich in accordance with art. 60 ff. of the Swiss Civil Code. 2. FIFA’s headquarters are located in Zurich (Switzerland) and may only be transferred to another location following a resolution passed by the Congress. 2 Objectives The objectives of FIFA are: (a) to improve the game of football constantly and promote it globally in the light of its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values, particularly through youth and development programmes; (b) to organise its own international competitions; (c) to draw up regulations and provisions governing the game of football and related matters and to ensure their enforcement; (d) to control every type of association football by taking appropriate steps to prevent infringements of the Statutes, regulations or decisions of FIFA or of the Laws of the Game; (e) to use its efforts to ensure that the game of football is available to and resourced for all who wish to participate, regardless of gender or age; (f) to promote the development of women’s football and the full participation of women at all levels of football governance; and (g) to promote integrity, ethics and fair play with a view to preventing all methods or practices, such as corruption, doping or match Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 17 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 11 manipulation, which might jeopardise the integrity of matches, competitions, players, officials and member associations or give rise to abuse of association football. 3 Human rights FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights. 4 Non-discrimination, equality and neutrality 1. Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion. 2. FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion. Exceptions may be made with regard to matters affected by FIFA’s statutory objectives. 5 Promoting friendly relations 1. FIFA shall promote friendly relations: (a) between and among member associations, confederations, clubs, officials and players; and (b) in society for humanitarian objectives. 2. FIFA shall provide the necessary institutional means to resolve any dispute that may arise between or among member associations, confederations, clubs, officials and players. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 18 12 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 6 Players The Council shall regulate the status of players and the provisions for their transfer, as well as questions relating to these matters, in particular the encouragement of player training by clubs and the protection of representative teams, in the form of special regulations from time to time. 7 Laws of the Game 1. Each member association shall play association football in compliance with the Laws of the Game issued by The IFAB. Only The IFAB may lay down and alter the Laws of the Game. 2. The IFAB is an association in accordance with Swiss law with its headquarters located in Zurich (Switzerland). The members of The IFAB are FIFA and the four British associations. 3. The organisation, duties and responsibilities of The IFAB are governed by the statutes of The IFAB. 4. Each member association shall play futsal in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game, as issued by the Council. 5. Each member association shall play beach soccer in accordance with the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game, as issued by the Council. 8 Conduct of bodies, officials and others 1. All bodies and officials must observe the Statutes, regulations, decisions and Code of Ethics of FIFA in their activities. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 19 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 13 2. Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time. 3. Every person and organisation involved in the game of football is obliged to observe the Statutes and regulations of FIFA as well as the principles of fair play. 9 Official languages 1. Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of FIFA. Minutes, official correspondence, regulations, decisions and announcements are published in English, French and Spanish and, when deemed necessary, in Arabic, German, Russian and/or Portuguese. If there is any divergence in the wording, the English text shall be authoritative. Member associations are responsible for translations into the language(s) of their country. 2. At the Congress, qualified interpreters shall translate into the official FIFA languages. Delegates may speak in their mother tongue if they ensure interpretation into one of the official FIFA languages by a qualified interpreter. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 20 14 II. MEMBERSHIP II. MEMBERSHIP 10 Admission, suspension and expulsion The Congress shall decide whether to admit, suspend or expel a member association solely upon the recommendation of the Council. 11 Admission 1. Any association which is responsible for organising and supervising football in all of its forms in its country may become a member association. Consequently, it is recommended that all member associations involve all relevant stakeholders in football in their own structure. Subject to par. 5 and par. 6 below, only one association shall be recognised as a member association in each country. 2. Membership is only permitted if an association is currently a member of a confederation. The Council may issue regulations with regard to the admission process. 3. Any association wishing to become a member association shall apply in writing to the FIFA general secretariat. 4. The association’s legally valid statutes shall be enclosed with the application for membership and shall contain the following mandatory provisions: (a) always to comply with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the relevant confederation; (b) to comply with the Laws of the Game in force; (c) to recognise the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as specified in these Statutes. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 21 II. MEMBERSHIP 15 5. Each of the four British associations shall be recognised as a separate member association of FIFA. 6. An association in a region which has not yet gained independence may, with the authorisation of the member association in the country on which it is dependent, also apply for admission to FIFA. 7. This article shall not affect the status of existing member associations. 12 Request and procedure for application 1. The Council shall request the Congress either to admit or not to admit an association. The association may state the reasons for its application to the Congress. 2. The new member association shall acquire membership rights and duties as soon as it has been admitted. Its delegates are eligible to vote and be elected with immediate effect. 13 Member associations’ rights 1. Member associations have the following rights: (a) to take part in the Congress; (b) to draw up proposals for inclusion in the agenda of the Congress; (c) to nominate candidates for the FIFA presidency and the Council; (d) to participate in and cast their votes at all FIFA elections in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations; Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 22 16 II. MEMBERSHIP (e) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA; (f) to take part in FIFA’s assistance and development programmes; and (g) to exercise all other rights arising from these Statutes and other regulations. 2. The exercise of these rights is subject to other provisions in these Statutes and the applicable regulations. 14 Member associations’ obligations 1. Member associations have the following obligations: (a) to comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA bodies at any time as well as the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) passed on appeal on the basis of art. 56 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes; (b) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA; (c) to pay their membership subscriptions; (d) to cause their own members to comply with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA bodies; (e) to convene its supreme and legislative body at regular intervals, at least every two years; (f) to ratify statutes that are in accordance with the requirements of the FIFA Standard Statutes; (g) to create a referees’ committee that is directly subordinate to the member association; (h) to respect the Laws of the Game; Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 23 II. MEMBERSHIP 17 (i) to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs are not influenced by any third parties in accordance with art. 19 of these Statutes; (j) to comply fully with all other duties arising from these Statutes and other regulations. 2. Violation of the above-mentioned obligations by any member association may lead to sanctions provided for in these Statutes. 3. Violations of par. 1 i) may also lead to sanctions, even if the third-party influence was not the fault of the member association concerned. Each member association is responsible towards FIFA for any and all acts of the members of their bodies caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such members. 15 Member associations’ statutes Member associations’ statutes must comply with the principles of good governance, and shall in particular contain, at a minimum, provisions relating to the following matters: (a) to be neutral in matters of politics and religion; (b) to prohibit all forms of discrimination; (c) to be independent and avoid any form of political interference; (d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers); (e) all relevant stakeholders must agree to respect the Laws of the Game, the principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play as well as the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the respective confederation; (f) all relevant stakeholders must agree to recognise the jurisdiction and authority of CAS and give priority to arbitration as a means of dispute resolution; Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 24 18 II. MEMBERSHIP (g) that the member association has the primary responsibility to regulate matters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping, the registration of players, club licensing, the imposition of disciplinary measures, including for ethical misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity of competitions; (h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies; (i) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making; (j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles of representative democracy and taking into account the importance of gender equality in football; and (k) yearly independent audits of accounts. 16 Suspension 1. The Congress may suspend a member association solely at the request of the Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Council may, without a vote of the Congress, temporarily suspend with immediate effect a member association that seriously violates its obligations. A suspension approved by the Council shall be in effect until the next Congress, unless the Council has revoked such suspension prior to such Congress. 2. A suspension of a member association by the Congress requires a three-quarter majority of the member associations present and eligible to vote. A suspension of a member association by the Congress or the Council shall be confirmed at the next Congress by a three-quarter majority of the member associations present and eligible to vote. If it is not confirmed, such suspension shall be automatically lifted. 3. A suspended member association may not exercise any of its membership rights. Other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with a suspended member association. The Disciplinary Committee may impose further sanctions. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 25 II. MEMBERSHIP 19 4. Member associations which do not participate in at least two of all FIFA competitions over a period of four consecutive years shall be suspended from voting at the Congress until they have fulfilled their obligations in this respect. 17 Expulsion 1. The Congress may expel a member association only at the request of the Council if: (a) it fails to fulfil its financial obligations towards FIFA; or (b) it seriously violates the Statutes, regulations or decisions of FIFA; or (c) it loses the status of an association representing association football in its country. 2. The presence of an absolute majority (more than 50%) of the member associations eligible to vote at the Congress is necessary for an expulsion of a member association to be valid, and the motion for expulsion must be adopted by a three-quarter majority of the valid votes cast. 18 Resignation 1. A member association may resign from FIFA with effect from the end of a calendar year. Notice of resignation must reach the general secretariat no later than six months before the end of the calendar year and be sent to the general secretariat by registered letter. 2. The resignation is not valid until the member association wishing to resign has fulfilled its financial obligations towards FIFA and its other member associations. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 26 20 II. MEMBERSHIP 19 Independence of member associations and their bodies 1. Each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties. 2. A member association’s bodies shall be either elected or appointed in that association. A member association’s statutes shall provide for a democratic procedure that guarantees the complete independence of the election or appointment. 3. Any member association’s bodies that have not been elected or appointed in compliance with the provisions of par. 2, even on an interim basis, shall not be recognised by FIFA. 4. Decisions passed by bodies that have not been elected or appointed in compliance with par. 2 shall not be recognised by FIFA. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 27 II. MEMBERSHIP 21 20 Status of clubs, leagues and other groups of clubs 1. Clubs, leagues or any other groups affiliated to a member association shall be subordinate to and recognised by that member association. The member association’s statutes shall define the scope of authority and the rights and duties of these groups. The statutes and regulations of these groups shall be approved by the member association. 2. Every member association shall ensure that its affiliated clubs can take all decisions on any matters regarding membership independently of any external body. This obligation applies regardless of an affiliated club’s corporate structure. In any case, the member association shall ensure that neither a natural nor a legal person (including holding companies and subsidiaries) exercises control in any manner whatsoever (in particular through a majority shareholding, a majority of voting rights, a majority of seats on the board of directors or any other form of economic dependence or control, etc.) over more than one club whenever the integrity of any match or competition could be jeopardised. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 28 22 III. HONORARY PRESIDENT, HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT AND HONORARY MEMBER III. H ONORARY PRESIDENT, HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT AND HONORARY MEMBER 21 Honorary president, honorary vice-president and honorary member 1. The Congress may bestow the title of honorary president, honorary vice-president or honorary member upon any former member of the Council for meritorious service to football. 2. The Council shall propose these nominations. 3. The honorary president, honorary vice-president or honorary member may take part in the Congress. They may join in the debates but may not vote. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 29 IV. CONFEDERATIONS 23 IV. CONFEDERATIONS 22 Confederations 1. Member associations that belong to the same continent have formed the following confederations, which are recognised by FIFA: (a) Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol – CONMEBOL (b) Asian Football Confederation – AFC (c) Union des associations européennes de football – UEFA (d) Confédération Africaine de Football – CAF (e) Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football – Concacaf (f) Oceania Football Confederation – OFC Recognition of each confederation by FIFA entails full mutual respect of each other’s authority within their respective institutional areas of competence as set forth in these Statutes. 2. FIFA may, in exceptional circumstances, authorise a confederation to grant membership to an association that belongs geographically to another continent and is not affiliated to the confederation on that continent. The opinion of the confederation concerned geographically shall be obtained. 3. Each confederation shall have the following rights and obligations: (a) to comply with and enforce compliance with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA; (b) to work closely with FIFA in every domain so as to achieve the objectives stipulated in art. 2 and to organise international competitions; Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 30 24 IV. CONFEDERATIONS (c) to organise its own interclub competitions, in compliance with the international match calendar; (d) to organise all of its own international competitions in compliance with the international match calendar; (e) to ensure that international leagues or any other such groups of clubs or leagues shall not be formed without its consent and the approval of FIFA; (f) at the request of FIFA, to grant associations applying for membership the status of a provisional member. This status shall grant associations the right to take part in the confederation’s competitions and conferences. Any other rights and obligations of the provisional member shall be regulated by the confederation’s statutes and regulations. Provisional members may not take part in FIFA final competitions; (g) to nurture relations and cooperation with FIFA actively and constructively for the good of the game through consultative meetings and to discuss and resolve any problems relating to the interests of the confederations and FIFA; (h) to ensure that the representatives appointed to FIFA bodies or elected to the Council carry out their activities on these bodies with mutual respect, solidarity, recognition and fair play, and in accordance with these Statutes and any related regulations issued by FIFA; (i) to set up committees that work closely together with the corresponding committees at FIFA; (j) exceptionally to allow, with FIFA’s consent, an association from another confederation (or clubs belonging to that association) to participate in a competition that it is organising; (k) with the mutual cooperation of FIFA, to take any action considered necessary to develop the game of football on the continent concerned, such as arranging development programmes, courses, conferences, etc.; (l) to set up the bodies necessary to fulfil the duties incumbent upon it; and m) to procure the funds necessary to fulfil its duties. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 31 IV. CONFEDERATIONS 25 4. The Council may delegate other duties or powers to one or more (or all) confederations by agreement with such confederations or confederation. 5. The confederations’ statutes and regulations, as revised from time to time, shall be submitted to FIFA for approval. 23 Confederations’ statutes The confederations’ statutes must comply with the principles of good governance, and shall in particular contain, at a minimum, provisions relating to the following matters: (a) to be neutral in matters of politics and religion; (b) to prohibit all forms of discrimination; (c) to be independent and avoid any form of political interference; (d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers); (e) all relevant stakeholders must agree to respect the Laws of the Game, the principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play as well as the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the respective confederation; (f) all relevant stakeholders must agree to recognise the jurisdiction and authority of CAS and give priority to arbitration as a means of dispute resolution; (g) regulation of matters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping, club licensing, the imposition of disciplinary measures, including for ethical misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity of competitions; (h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies; (i) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making; Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 32 26 IV. CONFEDERATIONS (j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles of representative democracy and taking into account the importance of gender equality in football; and (k) yearly independent audits of accounts. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 33 V. ORGANISATION 27 V. ORGANISATION 24 Bodies 1. The Congress is the supreme and legislative body. 2. The Council is the strategic and oversight body. 3. The general secretariat is the executive, operational and administrative body. 4. Standing and ad hoc committees shall advise and assist the Council and the general secretariat in fulfilling their duties. Their primary duties are defined in these Statutes and their composition, function and additional duties are defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 5. The independent committees fulfil their functions in accordance with these Statutes and the applicable FIFA regulations. 6. The Football Tribunal fulfils its function in accordance with these Statutes and the applicable FIFA regulations. 7. The independent auditors perform all audits of FIFA’s accounts and financial statements as required by Swiss law. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 34 28 V. ORGANISATION A. CONGRESS 25 Congress 1. A Congress may be an Ordinary or an Extraordinary Congress. A Congress may be held in person, by teleconference, by videoconference or by another means of communication. 2. The Ordinary Congress shall be held every year. The Council shall fix the place and date. The member associations shall be notified in writing at least four months in advance of the place and date of such Ordinary Congress. The formal convocation shall be made in writing at least one month before the date of the Congress. This convocation shall contain the agenda, the President’s report, the financial statements, including the consolidated financial statements, and the auditors’ report. 3. The Council may convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time. 4. The Council shall convene an Extraordinary Congress if one-fifth of the member associations make such a request in writing. The request shall specify the items for the agenda. An Extraordinary Congress shall be held within three months of receipt of the request. 5. The member associations shall be notified of the place, date and agenda at least two months before the date of an Extraordinary Congress. The agenda of an Extraordinary Congress may not be altered. 26 Vote, delegates, observers 1. Each member association has one vote in the Congress and is represented by its delegates. Only the member associations present are entitled to vote. Attendance by teleconference, by videoconference or by another means of communication shall constitute presence. Voting by proxy or by letter is not permitted at a Congress held in person. When a Congress Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 35 V. ORGANISATION 29 is held by teleconference, by videoconference or by another means of communication, voting by correspondence and/or online is permitted. 2. Delegates must belong to the member association that they represent and be appointed by the appropriate body of that member association. 3. Confederation delegates may take part in the Congress as observers without a right to vote. 4. During their term of office, members of the Council may not be appointed as delegates for their association. 5. The President shall conduct the Congress business in compliance with the Standing Orders of the Congress. 27 Candidates for the office of FIFA President, for the Council and for the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee and the judicial bodies 1. Only the member associations may propose candidatures for the office of FIFA President. A candidature for the office of FIFA President shall only be valid if supported by a total of at least five member associations. Member associations must notify the FIFA general secretariat, in writing, of a candidature for the FIFA presidency at least four months before the start of the Congress, together with the declarations of support of at least five member associations. A candidate for the office of FIFA President shall have played an active role in association football (e.g. as a player or an official within FIFA, a confederation or an association, etc.) for two of the last five years before being proposed as a candidate and must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. 2. The general secretariat shall notify the member associations of the names of proposed candidates for the office of FIFA President at least one month before the date of the Congress. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 36 30 V. ORGANISATION 3. Subject to par. 4 below, only member associations may propose candidatures for the Council. The relevant confederation shall be in receipt of the candidatures for the Council proposed by the member associations at least three months before the start of the respective confederation congress on the occasion of which the said election shall take place. The confederations shall notify the FIFA general secretariat, in writing, of all candidatures submitted to them within five days of the expiration of the three-month deadline. The confederations shall furthermore provide FIFA with the evidence of timely submission of the candidatures. Each member association is entitled to submit only one proposal for a member of the Council. If a member association presents proposals for more than one candidate, all of its presented proposals shall be deemed invalid. A member association may only propose candidates affiliated to its confederation. 4. The elections by the member associations of the female candidates for the Council (at least one per confederation) are set out in art. 33 par. 5 of these Statutes. 5. Council members shall be elected by the member associations on the occasion of their confederation congresses in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. Candidates for the Council must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. The election of Council members shall be monitored by FIFA. 6. The conditions to be observed during a candidature for the office of President and for positions on the Council are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 7. The Council shall submit proposals for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of each of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee and the judicial bodies to the Congress. The Council shall determine the number of seats to be assigned to each confederation in the relevant committee. Proposals shall be submitted, in writing, to the general secretariat at least four months before the start of the Congress. The procedure shall be laid down in the FIFA Governance Regulations. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 37 V. ORGANISATION 31 8. Candidates for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the judicial bodies must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. 9. Candidates for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee must pass an eligibility check carried out by the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. 28 Ordinary Congress agenda 1. The Secretary General shall draw up the agenda based on proposals from the Council and the member associations. Any proposal that a member association wishes to submit to the Congress shall be sent to the general secretariat in writing, with a brief explanation, at least two months before the date of the Congress. 2. The Congress agenda shall include the following mandatory items: (a) a declaration that the Congress has been convened and composed in compliance with the Statutes; (b) approval of the agenda; (c) an address by the President; (d) appointment of five member associations to check the minutes; (e) appointment of scrutineers; (f) suspension or expulsion of a member association (if applicable); (g) approval of the minutes of the preceding Congress; (h) activity report (containing the activities since the last Congress); Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 38 32 V. ORGANISATION (i) report from the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee; (j) presentation of the annual audited financial statements, including the consolidated financial statements and the annual report as well as the auditors’ reports; (k) approval of the annual audited financial statements, including the consolidated financial statements and the annual report; (l) approval of the budget; (m) admission for membership (if applicable); (n) votes on proposals for adopting and amending the Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress (if applicable); (o) discussion of proposals duly submitted by the member associations and the Council within the period stipulated under par. 1 (if applicable); (p) appointment of auditors (if applicable); (q) election or dismissal of the President in accordance with these Statutes (if applicable); (r) election or dismissal of the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the following committees (if applicable) on proposal of the Council: - Disciplinary Committee - Ethics Committee - Appeal Committee - Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee s) vote on the designation of the host country/countries of the FIFA World Cup™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competitions (if applicable). 3. The agenda of an Ordinary Congress may be altered, provided three-quarters of the member associations present at the Congress and eligible to vote agree to such a motion. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 39 V. ORGANISATION 33 29 Adoption of and amendments to the Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress 1. The Congress is responsible for adopting and amending the Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress. 2. Any proposals for an amendment to the Statutes must be submitted in writing with a brief explanation to the general secretariat by a member association or by the Council. A proposal submitted by a member association shall be valid, provided it has been supported in writing by at least two other member associations. 3. For a vote on an amendment to the Statutes to be valid, an absolute majority (more than 50%) of the member associations eligible to vote must be present. 4. A proposal to adopt or amend the Statutes shall be adopted if approved by three-quarters of the member associations present and eligible to vote. 5. Any proposal to adopt or amend the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress must be submitted in writing with a brief explanation to the general secretariat by a member association or by the Council. 6. For any proposal to adopt or amend the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress to be adopted, a simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is required. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 40 34 V. ORGANISATION 30 Elections, other decisions, requisite majority 1. Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. 2. Any other decision that requires a vote shall be reached by a show of hands or by means of an electronic count. If a show of hands does not result in a clear majority in favour of a motion, the vote shall be taken by calling the roll, member associations being called in English alphabetical order. 3. For the election of the President, where there is only one candidate, the Congress may decide to elect him by acclamation. Otherwise, if there are two or fewer candidates, a simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is necessary. If there are more than two candidates for the election of the President, two-thirds of the votes of the member associations present and eligible to vote are necessary in the first ballot. As from the second ballot, whoever obtains the lowest number of votes is eliminated until only two candidates are left. 4. Council members shall be elected by the member associations in accordance with art. 27 par. 5 of these Statutes. 5. Each confederation president shall be a vice-president ex officio of the Council. 6. Each vice-president and each member of the Council shall be required to fulfil the eligibility check conducted by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. 7. For the election of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of each of the judicial bodies and of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, the candidate(s) who receive(s) the most votes in respect of the free seat(s) shall be elected. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 41 V. ORGANISATION 35 8. The election of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of each of the judicial bodies and of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee by the Congress may be conducted en bloc. At the request of at least ten member associations, however, a separate vote for a specific candidate shall take place. 9. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Statutes, a simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is sufficient for elections, votes and other decisions to be valid. 10. Further details are stipulated in the Standing Orders of the Congress. 31 Minutes 1. The Secretary General shall be responsible for recording the minutes at the Congress. 2. The minutes of the Congress shall be checked by those member associations designated. 32 Effective dates of decisions Decisions passed by the Congress shall come into effect for the member associations 60 days after the close of the Congress, unless the Congress fixes another date for a decision to take effect. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 42 36 V. ORGANISATION B. COUNCIL 33 Composition, election of the President, the vice-presidents and the members of the Council 1. The Council shall consist of 37 members: 1 President, elected by the Congress, 8 vice-presidents, and 28 other members. Upon being elected to office, every member of the Council undertakes, and accepts responsibility, to faithfully, loyally and independently act in the best interests of FIFA and the promotion and development of football at global level. 2. The President shall be elected by the Congress for a period of four years in the year following a FIFA World Cup™. His term of office shall begin after the end of the Congress at which he was elected. No person may serve as President for more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not). Previous terms served as a vice-president or as a member of the Council shall not be considered in determining the term limits of a President. 3. The members of the Council shall be elected by the member associations on the occasion of the respective confederation congresses for a term of four years. Their terms of office shall begin after the end of the congress at which they were elected. A member of the Council may serve for no more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not). 4. The confederations are allocated the following places on the Council: (a) CONMEBOL vice-president (1) members (4) (b) AFC vice-president (1) members (6) (c) UEFA vice-presidents (3) members (6) (d) CAF vice-president (1) members (6) (e) Concacaf vice-president (1) members (4) (f) OFC vice-president (1) members (2) Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 43 V. ORGANISATION 37 5. The members of each confederation must ensure that they elect at least one female member to the Council. In the event that no female candidate is elected by the members of a confederation for the Council, the seat reserved for a female member of such confederation will be deemed forfeited by all members of such confederation and shall remain vacant until the next election of members of the Council. 6. No more than one representative from the same member association may serve on the Council simultaneously. 7. If the President is permanently or temporarily prevented from performing his official function, the longest-serving vice-president shall assume the powers and responsibilities of the President until the next Congress. This Congress shall elect a new President, if necessary. If the longest-serving vice-president is prevented from assuming the powers and responsibilities of the President, the next longest-serving vice-president shall assume the powers and responsibilities of the President. 8. Any vice-president or other member of the Council who is permanently or temporarily prevented from performing his official function shall be replaced by the members of the relevant confederation which elected such vice-president or member for the remaining period of office. 34 Powers of the Council 1. The Council defines FIFA’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values, in particular with regard to the organisation and development of football at worldwide level and all related matters. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 44 38 V. ORGANISATION 2. As regards business- or finance-related matters, the Council shall, inter alia: define the standards, policies and procedures applicable to the awarding of commercial contracts by FIFA; define the standards, policies and procedures applicable to football development grants; define the standards, policies and procedures regarding the operational costs of FIFA; and define the standards, policies and procedures regarding all other business- or finance-related matters of FIFA. The Council delegates the execution and management of business- or finance-related matters to the general secretariat, which operates under the authority and supervision of the Council and is accountable to it. 3. The Council oversees the overall management of FIFA by the general secretariat. 4. The Council approves the budget and the annual audited financial statements, including the consolidated financial statements, prepared by the Finance Committee and the annual report to be submitted to the Congress for approval. 5. The Council appoints the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the standing committees and of the chambers of the Football Tribunal. 6. The Council shall propose to the Congress for election the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the Disciplinary Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Appeal Committee and the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee. 7. The Council may decide to set up ad hoc committees if necessary at any time. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 45 V. ORGANISATION 39 8. The Council shall appoint the three representatives of FIFA who shall attend the general assembly of The IFAB in addition to the FIFA President. Furthermore, the Council is entitled to decide on how the representatives of FIFA shall vote in The IFAB. 9. The Council shall appoint the Secretary General on the proposal of the President. The Secretary General may be dismissed by the Council acting alone. 10. The Council shall decide the place and dates of the final competitions of FIFA tournaments and the number of teams taking part from each confederation. This shall not apply to decisions on the host country/countries of the FIFA World Cup™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competitions, which shall be voted on by the Congress. 11. The Council shall issue regulations generally and, in particular, the FIFA Governance Regulations. 12. The Council shall deal with all matters relating to FIFA that do not fall within the sphere of responsibility of another body, in accordance with these Statutes. 13. The powers and responsibilities of the Council may be specified in greater detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 46 40 V. ORGANISATION C. PRESIDENT 35 President 1. The President represents FIFA generally. 2. The President shall aim to foster a positive image of FIFA and to ensure that FIFA’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values, as defined by the Council, are protected and advanced. 3. The President shall seek to maintain and develop good relations between and among FIFA, the confederations, member associations, political bodies and international organisations. 4. The President chairs the Congress and meetings of the Council. The President shall have no right to vote at the Congress; he shall have one ordinary vote on the Council. 5. Any powers and responsibilities of the President may be defined in greater detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 47 V. ORGANISATION 41 D. GENERAL SECRETARIAT 36 General secretariat 1. The general secretariat shall perform its tasks under the direction of the Secretary General, in particular, as regards: organisation of competitions and all related matters, in accordance with the decisions and directions of the Council; the negotiation, execution and performance of all commercial contracts, in accordance with the standards, policies and procedures established by the Council; administrative support for the standing committees of FIFA, in particular with regard to the awarding of football development grants; management of the operations and day-to-day business of FIFA, in accordance with the parameters established by the Council and within the budget established by the Finance Committee; and all other administrative matters necessary for the efficient operation and organisation of FIFA, as required and authorised by the Council. 2. The general secretariat is supervised by, and is accountable to, the Council with regard to the discharge of its functions. 3. The powers and responsibilities of the general secretariat may be defined in greater detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 37 Secretary General 1. The Secretary General is the chief executive officer (CEO) of FIFA. 2. The Secretary General is appointed and may be dismissed by the Council, in accordance with art. 34 par. 9 of these Statutes. The Secretary General shall report to the Council. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 48 42 V. ORGANISATION 3. The Secretary General shall be required to fulfil an eligibility check performed by the Review Committee. 4. The powers and responsibilities of the Secretary General may be defined in greater detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 49 V. ORGANISATION 43 E. BUREAU OF THE COUNCIL 38 Bureau of the Council 1. The Bureau of the Council shall deal with all matters within the competence of the Council requiring immediate decision between two meetings of the Council. The Bureau of the Council shall consist of a maximum of seven members. The FIFA President and the six confederation presidents are ex officio members of the Bureau of the Council. 2. The President shall convene meetings of the Bureau of the Council. If a meeting cannot be convened within an appropriate period of time, decisions may be passed through other means of communication. Such decisions shall have immediate legal effect. The President shall notify the Council immediately of the decisions passed by the Bureau of the Council. 3. All decisions taken by the Bureau of the Council shall be ratified by the Council at its next meeting. 4. If the President is unable to attend a meeting, the longest-serving vice-president of the Council available to attend such meeting shall deputise for the President and act as the presiding official of such meeting. 5. The President is entitled to designate a deputy for any member who is unable to attend or has a conflict of interest. The deputy shall belong to the Council and the same confederation as the member who is unable to attend or has a conflict of interest. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 50 44 V. ORGANISATION F. STANDING COMMITTEES 39 Standing committees 1. The standing committees are: (a) Finance Committee (b) Development Committee (c) Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions (d) Football Stakeholders Committee (e) Member Associations Committee (f) Referees Committee (g) Medical Committee 2. The standing committees shall report to the Council. They shall advise and assist the Council in their respective fields of function. 3. Members of the standing committees may at the same time be members of the Council, with the exception of (i) the independent members of the Finance Committee in accordance with art. 40 par. 2 of these Statutes, and (ii) the independent members of the Development Committee in accordance with art. 41 par. 1 of these Statutes. 4. The chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of each standing committee shall be appointed by the Council on the proposal of the member associations, the President of FIFA or the confederations. The Council shall ensure appropriate female representation on standing committees. Their terms shall last for four years, beginning upon the respective date of appointment by the Council. Members of the standing committees may be relieved of their duties at any time by the Council. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 51 V. ORGANISATION 45 5. Candidates for the standing committees must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee. 6. The composition and structure, including qualification and number of members having to fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations as well as the specific duties and powers of the individual committees, shall be stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 7. Each chairperson shall represent his committee and conduct business in compliance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. 8. The Council and each committee, the latter with the approval of the Council, may, if necessary, set up a bureau and/or sub-committee to settle urgent matters. 9. Each committee may propose amendments to its regulations to the Council. 40 Finance Committee 1. The Finance Committee shall consist of at least three members and not more than 12 members, all of whom must be qualified to deal with financial matters. 2. No fewer than half of the committee’s members shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 3. The Finance Committee shall determine FIFA’s strategy regarding financial and asset management and advise the Council on these matters. The Finance Committee shall in particular prepare FIFA’s budget to be submitted to the Council for approval, analyse the accounts and consolidated financial statements and issue a recommendation to the Council as to whether or not to approve them, and draft policies, rules and guidelines regarding Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 52 46 V. ORGANISATION FIFA’s overall strategy in financial and asset management matters and submit them to the Council for approval. 4. Details of the Finance Committee’s responsibilities are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 41 Development Committee 1. The Development Committee shall consist of at least three members. No fewer than half of the committee’s members shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 2. The Development Committee shall deal with FIFA’s global development programmes. It shall devise and propose appropriate strategies, check these strategies and analyse the support and programmes provided to member associations and confederations in this regard. The Development Committee shall in particular analyse the major development challenges at stake, advise and assist the Council on FIFA’s member associations and development programmes, propose new development activities and address the related budget matters, draw up guidelines and regulations on development programmes, approve the thematic focus, types of activity and budget allocation per continent and/or per member association, and instruct the administration on the execution of the Development Committee’s decisions. The Development Committee may structure itself in different sub-committees depending on relevant areas of expertise. 3. Details of the Development Committee’s responsibilities are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 42 Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions The Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions shall organise all official FIFA competitions in compliance with the provisions of the regulations Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 53 V. ORGANISATION 47 applicable to the respective competitions, the hosting documents and the hosting requirements contained or referred to therein, and shall also deal with all matters relating to futsal and beach soccer. 43 Football Stakeholders Committee The Football Stakeholders Committee shall deal with football matters, particularly the structure of the game and the relationship between clubs, players, leagues, member associations, confederations and FIFA as well as with issues relating to the interests of club football worldwide, draw up regulations governing these matters, and also analyse the basic aspects of football training and technical development. 44 Member Associations Committee The Member Associations Committee shall deal with relations between FIFA and its member associations as well as the member associations’ compliance with the FIFA Statutes and draw up proposals for optimum cooperation. The committee shall also monitor the evolution of the Statutes and regulations of FIFA, the confederations and member associations. 45 Referees Committee The Referees Committee shall implement and interpret the Laws of the Game and may propose amendments to the Laws of the Game to the Council. It shall appoint the referees and assistant referees for matches in competitions organised by FIFA. 46 Medical Committee The Medical Committee shall deal with all medical aspects of football, including the fight against doping. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 54 48 VI. ANNUAL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE VI. ANNUAL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE 47 Annual member associations conference FIFA shall organise at least once a year, at its own cost, a member associations conference for the presidents of the member associations and/or their top executives, in order to address issues of high relevance for the football world, such as, for instance, football development, integrity, social responsibility, governance, human rights, racism, match-fixing, gender equality, protection of clean athletes and youth, and security. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 55 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 49 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 48 Institutional independence The independent committees as well as their individual members shall conduct their activities and perform their duties entirely independently but always in the interests of FIFA and in accordance with the Statutes and regulations of FIFA. 49 Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee 1. The Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee shall consist of at least three members and not more than 15 members, all of whom must not belong to any other FIFA body. The committee members shall be knowledgeable and experienced in governance and/or financial and/or legal matters and may not be involved in any decision affecting the operations of FIFA. 2. Candidates for any position on the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee as well as the incumbent members of the committee shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 3. The chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee shall be elected by the Congress. Their terms shall last four years, beginning at the end of the Congress which has elected them. The chairperson, deputy chairperson and other members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee may only be relieved of their duties by the Congress. 4. The chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee may serve a maximum of three terms (whether consecutive or not). 5. If the chairperson, deputy chairperson or a member of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee resigns or becomes permanently Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 56 50 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES incapacitated with regard to performing his functions during his term of office, the Council shall appoint a replacement to serve until the next Congress, when a replacement shall be elected by the Congress for the remainder of the initial term of office. 6. The Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee shall report to the Congress. 7. The Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee shall advise, assist and oversee the Council in monitoring FIFA’s financial, governance and compliance matters, and monitor compliance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. It shall supervise the general secretariat. 8. The Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee shall review the Related-Party Declarations submitted by the members of FIFA committees in accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Governance Regulations. 9. The Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee shall ensure the completeness and reliability of the financial accounting and review the financial statements, the consolidated financial statement and the external auditors’ report. The committee shall furthermore monitor FIFA’s financial, governance and compliance matters including, in particular, the distribution and flow of development-related funds, and suggest to the appropriate FIFA bodies any action that it deems necessary as a result of such monitoring. 10. The Review Committee shall be composed of members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, in accordance with the Governance Regulations. 11. The Review Committee shall conduct eligibility checks in respect of candidates and incumbent members of the Council (including the President), of the standing committees, of the judicial bodies, of the Football Tribunal and in respect of the Secretary General, and shall also conduct independence reviews in respect of candidates and incumbent members of the judicial bodies and the standing committees who must fulfil the independence criteria in accordance with these Statutes and the FIFA Governance Regulations. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 57 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 51 12. The committee shall establish a Compensation Sub-Committee, consisting of the chairperson of the Finance Committee, the chairperson of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee and a third member to be jointly appointed by the two chairpersons. This third member shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 13. The Compensation Sub-Committee shall in particular define Compensation Rules and determine the compensation of the FIFA President, the members of the Council and the FIFA Secretary General. The individual compensation of the FIFA President, the members of the Council and the FIFA Secretary General shall be made public. 14. Details of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee’s and the Compensation Sub-Committee’s responsibilities, their internal cooperation and other procedural matters are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 50 Judicial bodies 1. The judicial bodies of FIFA are: (a) the Disciplinary Committee; (b) the Ethics Committee; and (c) the Appeal Committee. 2. The Disciplinary Committee and the Appeal Committee shall consist of a chairperson, a deputy chairperson and a specific number of other members. Both chambers of the Ethics Committee shall each consist of a chairperson, two deputy chairpersons and a specific number of other members. The composition of the judicial bodies should respect the fair distribution of positions and take account of the member associations. When proposing chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and other members of judicial bodies to the Congress, the Council shall take into account appropriate female representation on the judicial bodies. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 58 52 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 3. The judicial bodies are to be composed in such a way that the members, together, have the knowledge, abilities and specialist experience that is necessary for the due completion of their tasks. The chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the judicial bodies shall be qualified to practise law. 4. The chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee and the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of both chambers of the Ethics Committee and of the Appeal Committee shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations. 5. The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and other members of the judicial bodies shall be elected by the Congress and shall not be members of any other FIFA body. Their terms shall last four years, beginning at the end of the Congress which has elected them. The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and other members of the judicial bodies may only be relieved of their duties by the Congress. 6. The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the judicial bodies may each serve a maximum of three terms (whether consecutive or not). 7. If a chairperson, a deputy chairperson or a member of a judicial body resigns or becomes permanently incapacitated with regard to performing his functions during his term of office, the Council shall appoint a replacement to serve until the next Congress, when a replacement shall be elected by the Congress for the remainder of the initial term of office. 8. The investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee shall conduct the eligibility checks and independence reviews in respect of candidates and incumbent members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee. 9. The decision-making powers of certain committees remain unaffected. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 59 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 53 51 Disciplinary Committee 1. The function of the Disciplinary Committee shall be governed by the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The committee shall pass decisions only when at least three members are present. In certain cases, the chairperson may rule alone. 2. The Disciplinary Committee may pronounce the sanctions described in these Statutes and the FIFA Disciplinary Code on member associations, clubs, officials, players, football agents and match agents. 3. These provisions are subject to the disciplinary powers of the Congress and Council with regard to the suspension and expulsion of member associations. 4. The Council shall issue the FIFA Disciplinary Code. 5. The Disciplinary Committee may propose amendments to its regulations to the Council. 52 Ethics Committee 1. The function of the Ethics Committee shall be governed by the FIFA Code of Ethics. It is divided into an investigatory chamber and an adjudicatory chamber. The adjudicatory chamber shall pass decisions if at least three members are present. The chairperson may pass decisions alone in specific cases. 2. The Ethics Committee may pronounce the sanctions described in these Statutes, the FIFA Code of Ethics and the FIFA Disciplinary Code on officials, players, football agents and match agents. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 60 54 VII. INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES 3. The Council shall issue the FIFA Code of Ethics. 4. The Ethics Committee may propose amendments to its regulations to the Council. 53 Appeal Committee 1. The function of the Appeal Committee shall be governed by the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the FIFA Code of Ethics. The committee shall pass decisions only when at least three members are present. In certain cases, the chairperson may rule alone. 2. The Appeal Committee is responsible for hearing appeals against decisions from the Disciplinary Committee and the Ethics Committee that are not declared final by the relevant FIFA regulations. 3. Decisions pronounced by the Appeal Committee shall be irrevocable and binding on all the parties concerned. This provision is subject to appeals lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 61 VIII. FOOTBALL TRIBUNAL 55 VIII. FOOTBALL TRIBUNAL 54 Football Tribunal 1. The Football Tribunal shall pass decisions relating to football-related disputes and regulatory applications. It shall comprise three chambers: (a) the Dispute Resolution Chamber; (b) the Players’ Status Chamber; and (c) the Agents Chamber. 2. The functions of the Football Tribunal shall be governed by the Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal, as issued by the Council. 3. The Football Tribunal may pronounce the sanctions described in these Statutes and the FIFA Disciplinary Code on member associations, clubs, officials, players, football agents and match agents. 4. These provisions are subject to the disciplinary powers of the Congress and Council with regard to the suspension and expulsion of member associations. 5. The Football Tribunal may propose amendments to its regulations to the Council. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 62 56 IX. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES IX. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES 55 Disciplinary measures The disciplinary measures are primarily: 1. for natural and legal persons: (a) a warning; (b) a reprimand; (c) a fine; (d) the return of awards. 2. for natural persons: (a) suspension for a specific number of matches or for a specific period; (b) a match suspension; (c) a ban from the dressing rooms and/or the substitutes’ bench; (d) a ban from entering a stadium; (e) a ban on taking part in any football-related activity; (f) social work; (g) compliance training; (h) community football service; (i) suspension or withdrawal of a football agent’s licence; (j) suspension or withdrawal of a match agent’s licence. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 63 IX. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES 57 3. for legal persons: (a) a ban on registering new players, either nationally or internationally; (b) playing a match without spectators; (c) playing a match with a limited number of spectators; (d) playing a match on neutral territory; (e) a ban on playing in a particular stadium; (f) annulment of the result of a match; (g) deduction of points; (h) relegation to a lower division; (i) expulsion from a competition in progress or from future competitions; (j) forfeit; (k) replaying a match; (l) implementation of a prevention plan; (m) (for member associations) payment of restitution to an affiliated club; (n) (for member associations) reduction or restriction of development funding. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 64 58 X. ARBITRATION X. ARBITRATION 56 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) 1. FIFA recognises the independent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland) to resolve disputes between FIFA, member associations, confederations, leagues, clubs, players, officials, football agents and match agents. 2. The provisions of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration shall apply to the proceedings. CAS shall primarily apply the various regulations of FIFA and, additionally, Swiss law. 57 Jurisdiction of CAS 1. Appeals against final decisions passed by FIFA’s legal bodies and against decisions passed by confederations, member associations or leagues shall be lodged with CAS within 21 days of receipt of the decision in question. 2. Recourse may only be made to CAS after all other internal channels have been exhausted. 3. CAS, however, does not deal with appeals arising from: (a) violations of the Laws of the Game; (b) suspensions of up to four matches or up to three months (with the exception of doping decisions); (c) decisions against which an appeal to an independent and duly constituted arbitration tribunal recognised under the rules of an association or confederation may be made. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 65 X. ARBITRATION 59 4. The appeal shall not have a suspensive effect. The appropriate FIFA body or, alternatively, CAS may order the appeal to have a suspensive effect. 5. FIFA is entitled to appeal to CAS against any internally final and binding doping-related decision passed in particular by the confederations, member associations or leagues in accordance with the provisions set out in the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations. 6. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is entitled to appeal to CAS against any internally final and binding doping-related decision passed in particular by FIFA, the confederations, member associations or leagues in accordance with the provisions set out in the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations. 58 Obligations relating to dispute resolution 1. The confederations, member associations and leagues shall agree to recognise CAS as an independent judicial authority and to ensure that their members, affiliated players and officials comply with the decisions passed by CAS. The same obligation shall apply to football agents and match agents that are licensed by FIFA. 2. Recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations. Recourse to ordinary courts of law for all types of provisional measures is also prohibited. 3. The associations shall insert a clause in their statutes or regulations, stipulating that it is prohibited to take disputes in the association or disputes affecting leagues, members of leagues, clubs, members of clubs, players, officials and other association officials to ordinary courts of law, unless the FIFA regulations or binding legal provisions specifically provide for or stipulate recourse to ordinary courts of law. Instead of recourse to ordinary courts of law, provision shall be made for arbitration. Such disputes shall be taken to an independent and duly constituted arbitration tribunal recognised under the rules of the association or confederation or to CAS. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 66 60 X. ARBITRATION The associations shall also ensure that this stipulation is implemented in the association, if necessary by imposing a binding obligation on its members. The associations shall impose sanctions on any party that fails to respect this obligation and ensure that any appeal against such sanctions shall likewise be strictly submitted to arbitration, and not to ordinary courts of law. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 67 XI. SUBMISSION TO DECISIONS OF FIFA 61 XI. SUBMISSION TO DECISIONS OF FIFA 59 Implementation of decisions 1. The confederations, member associations and leagues shall agree to comply fully with any decisions passed by the relevant FIFA bodies which, according to these Statutes, are final and not subject to appeal. 2. They shall take every precaution necessary to ensure that their own members, players and officials comply with these decisions. 3. The same obligation applies to football agents and match agents. 60 Sanctions Any violation of the foregoing provisions will be punished in compliance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Football Agent Exam Study Materials – Edition January 2024 - Page 68 62 XII. FINANCE XII. FINANCE 61 Financial period 1. The financial period of FIFA shall be four years and shall begin on each 1 January in the year following the final competition of the FIFA World Cup™. 2. The revenue and expenditure of FIFA shall be managed so that they balance out over the financial period. FIFA’s major duties in the future shall be guaranteed through the creation of reserves. 3. The Secretary General is responsible for drawing up the annual consolidated accounts of FIFA with its subsidiaries as at 31 December. 62 Auditors The auditors shall audit the accounts and annual financial statements, including the consolidated financial statements, approved

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