FIFA Statutes PDF - Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes - MAY 2024 EDITION

Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition FIFA STATUTES Regulations Governing SUB HEADER TO GO HERE the Application of the Statutes Publication title Standing Orders over two of thelines maximum Congress MAY 2024 EDITION MONTH YEAR...

Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition FIFA STATUTES Regulations Governing SUB HEADER TO GO HERE the Application of the Statutes Publication title Standing Orders over two of thelines maximum Congress MAY 2024 EDITION MONTH YEAR 7 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Definitions8 FIFA STATUTES 10 I. General provisions 11 1. Name and headquarters 11 2. Objectives 11 3. Human rights 12 Table of contents 4. Non-discrimination, equality and neutrality 12 5. Promoting friendly relations 12 6. Players 12 7. Laws of the Game 13 8. Conduct of bodies, officials and others 13 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 18 18. Resignation 19 19. Independence of member associations and their bodies 19 20. Status of clubs, leagues and other groups of clubs 20 Fédération Internationale de Football Association President: Gianni Infantino Secretary General: Mattias Grafström III. Honorary president, honorary Address: FIFA vice-president and honorary member 21 FIFA-Strasse 20 P.O. Box 21. Honorary president, honorary vice-president and honorary member 21 8044 Zurich Switzerland Telephone: +41 (0)43 222 7777 Website: FIFA.com 8 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 4 IV. Confederations 22 VII. Independent committees 43 5 22. Confederations 22 42. Institutional independence 43 23. Confederations’ statutes 24 43. Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee 43 44. Judicial bodies 45 45. Disciplinary Committee 46 V. Organisation 25 46. Ethics Committee 46 24. Bodies 25 47. Appeal Committee 47 A. Congress 25. Congress 26 26. Vote, delegates, observers 26 VIII. Football Tribunal 48 27. Candidates for the office of FIFA President, for the Council and for the 48. Football Tribunal 48 chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee and the judicial bodies 27 28. Ordinary Congress agenda 29 IX. Arbitration 49 Table of contents 29. Adoption of and amendments to the Statutes, the Regulations Governing 49. Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) 49 the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress 30 50. Jurisdiction of CAS 49 30. Elections, other decisions, requisite majority 31 51. Obligations relating to dispute resolution 50 31. Minutes 32 32. Effective dates of decisions 32 B. Council X. S  ubmission to decisions of FIFA 51 33. Composition, election of the President, the vice-presidents and the 52. Implementation of decisions 51 members of the Council 33 53. Sanctions 51 34. Powers of the Council 34 C. President 35. President 36 XI. Finance 52 D. General secretariat 54. Financial period 52 36. General secretariat 37 55. Auditors 52 37. Secretary General 37 56. Membership subscriptions 52 E. Bureau of the Council 57. Settlement 53 38. Bureau of the Council 38 58. Levies 53 F. Standing committees and expert panels 39. Standing committees 39 40. Expert panels 41 XII. Rights in competitions and events 54 59. Rights in competitions and events 54 VI. A  nnual member associations conference 42 60. Authorisation to distribute 54 41. Annual member associations conference 42  9 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 6 XIII. Competitions 55 V. Sporting integrity 70 7 A. FIFA final competitions 11. Principle of promotion and relegation 70 61. Competition venues 55 B. International matches and competitions 62. International match calendar 56 VI. Laws of the Game 71 63. International matches and competitions 56 12. Amendments to the Laws of the Game 71 64. Contacts 57 65. Authorisation 57 VII. R  eferees and assistant referees 72 XIV. Final provisions 58 13. Nomination 72 14. Report 72 66. Dissolution 58 15. Reimbursement 73 67. Transitory provisions 58 68. Enforcement 59 Table of contents VIII. Final provisions 74 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE 16. Objectives 74 17. Enforcement 74 APPLICATION OF THE STATUTES 60 STANDING ORDERS OF THE I. Application for admission to FIFA  61 CONGRESS75 1. Application for admission 61 1. Participation in the Congress 76 2. Confederations 61 2. Chair 76 3. Scrutineers 77 4. Interpreters 77 II. Normalisation committees  62 5. Debates 77 3. Normalisation committees 62 6. Speakers 77 7. Proposals 78 8. Procedural motions and closing of debates 78 III. Match agents and football agents 63 9. Votes 78 4. Match agents 63 10. Elections 79 5. Football agents 63 11. Calculation of majorities 80 12. Enforcement 80 IV. E  ligibility to play for representative teams 64 6. Principles 64 7. Nationality entitling players to represent more than one association 65 8. Acquisition of a new nationality 66 9. Stateless individuals 66 10. Change of association 67  10 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition DEFINITIONS 14. Club: a member of an association (that is a member association of FIFA) 8 9 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. The terms given below denote the following: 16. Association football: the game controlled by FIFA and organised by FIFA, the confederations and/or the member associations in accordance with the Laws 1. FIFA: Fédération Internationale de Football Association. of the Game. 2. Association: a football association recognised as such by FIFA. It is a member of FIFA, 17. Official competition: a competition for representative teams organised by FIFA unless a different meaning is evident from the context. or any confederation. 3. League: an organisation that is subordinate to an association. 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 4. British associations: the four associations in the United Kingdom – The Football affect or be affected by FIFA’s actions, objectives and policies, in particular clubs, Association, The Scottish Football Association, The Football Association of Wales players, coaches, professional leagues and football fans. and The Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland). NB: Terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term Definitions 5. The IFAB: The International Football Association Board (IFAB). in the singular applies to the plural and vice versa. 6. Country: a state recognised as independent by a majority of members of the United Nations. 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 article 38 of these Statutes. 11. Laws of the Game: the laws of association football issued by The IFAB in accordance with article 7 of these Statutes. 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).  11 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 10 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 11 1. Name and headquarters 1. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is an association in accordance with article 60 ff. of the Swiss Civil Code. 2. FIFA’s headquarters and legal domicile shall be determined by a decision passed I. General provisions by the Congress. 2. Objectives FIFA STATUTES 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; (g) to promote integrity, ethics and fair play with a view to preventing all methods or practices, such as corruption, doping or match manipulation, which might jeopardise the integrity of matches, competitions, players, officials and member associations or give rise to abuse of association football; and FIFA Statutes (h) to regulate, develop and promote all other forms of football, such as futsal, beach soccer and football esport competitions. 12 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 12 3. Human rights 7. Laws of the Game 13 FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and 1. Each member association shall play association football in compliance with the shall strive to promote the protection of these rights. Laws of the Game issued by The IFAB. Only The IFAB may lay down and alter the Laws of the Game. 4. Non-discrimination, equality and neutrality 2. 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 1. Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people statutes of The IFAB. 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 4. Each member association shall play futsal in accordance with the Futsal Laws of status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable the Game, as issued by the Council. by suspension or expulsion. I. General provisions 5. Each member association shall play beach soccer in accordance with the Beach 2. FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion. Exceptions may be made Soccer Laws of the Game, as issued by the Council. with regard to matters affected by FIFA’s statutory objectives. 8. Conduct of bodies, officials and others 5. Promoting friendly relations 1. All bodies and officials must observe the Statutes, regulations, decisions and Code 1. FIFA shall promote friendly relations: of Ethics of FIFA in their activities. (a) between and among member associations, confederations, clubs, officials 2. Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be and players; and removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and (b) in society for humanitarian objectives. replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time, as established in article 3 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes. 2. FIFA shall provide the necessary institutional means to resolve any dispute that may arise between or among member associations, confederations, clubs, officials 3. Every person and organisation involved in the game of football is obliged to observe and players. the Statutes and regulations of FIFA as well as the principles of fair play. 6. Players 9. Official languages The Council shall regulate the status of players and the provisions for their transfer, 1. Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish are the official as well as questions relating to these matters, in particular the encouragement languages of FIFA. Minutes, official correspondence, regulations, decisions and of player training by clubs and the protection of representative teams in the form announcements are published in English, French and Spanish and, when deemed of special regulations from time to time. 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 FIFA Statutes 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. 13 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 14 II. MEMBERSHIP 12. Request and procedure for application 15 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 10. Admission, suspension and expulsion immediate effect. The Congress shall decide whether to admit, suspend or expel a member association solely upon the recommendation of the Council. 13. Member associations’ rights 1. Member associations have the following rights: 11. Admission (a) to take part in the Congress; II. Membership 1. Any association which is responsible for organising and supervising football in all (b) to draw up proposals for inclusion in the agenda of the Congress; of its forms in its country may become a member association. Consequently, (c) to nominate candidates for the FIFA presidency and the Council; it is recommended that all member associations involve all relevant stakeholders in football in their own structure. Subject to paragraph 5 below, only one association (d) to participate in and cast their votes at all FIFA elections in accordance with the shall be recognised as a member association in each country. FIFA Governance Regulations; 2. Membership is only permitted if an association is currently a member of a confederation. (e) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA; The Council may issue regulations with regard to the admission process. (f) to take part in FIFA’s assistance and development programmes; and 3. Any association wishing to become a member association shall apply in writing (g) to exercise all other rights arising from these Statutes and other regulations. to the FIFA general secretariat. 2. The exercise of these rights is subject to other provisions in these Statutes and 4. The association’s legally valid statutes shall be enclosed with the application for the applicable regulations. 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 (CAS), as specified in these Statutes. 5. Each of the four British associations shall be recognised as a separate member association of FIFA. 6. This article shall not affect the status of existing member associations. FIFA Statutes 14 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 16 14. Member associations’ obligations 15. Member associations’ statutes 17 Member associations’ statutes must comply with the principles of good governance, 1. Member associations have the following obligations: and shall in particular contain, at a minimum, provisions relating to the following matters: (a) to comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA (a) to be neutral in matters of politics and religion; bodies at any time as well as the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) passed on appeal on the basis of article 49 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes; (b) to prohibit all forms of discrimination; (b) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA; (c) to be independent and avoid any form of political interference; (c) to pay their membership subscriptions; (d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers); (d) to cause their own members to comply with the Statutes, regulations, directives (e) all relevant stakeholders must agree to respect the Laws of the Game, the principles and decisions of FIFA bodies; of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play as well as the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the respective confederation; (e) to convene its supreme and legislative body at regular intervals, at least every two years; (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; (f) to ratify statutes that are in accordance with the requirements laid down in II. Membership these Statutes; (g) that the member association has the primary responsibility to regulate matters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping, the registration of players, (g) to create a referees’ committee that is directly subordinate to the member club licensing, the imposition of disciplinary measures, including for ethical association; misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity of competitions; (h) to respect the Laws of the Game; (h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies; (i) to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs are not (i) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making; influenced by any third parties in accordance with article 19 of these Statutes; (j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles (j) to prevent and fight against any kind of discrimination; of representative democracy and taking into account the importance of gender (k) to promote the development of women’s football and the full participation of equality in football; and women at all levels; and (k) yearly independent audits of accounts. (l) 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 paragraph 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. FIFA Statutes 15 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 18 16. Suspension 18. Resignation 19 1. The Congress may suspend a member association solely at the request of the 1. A member association may resign from FIFA with effect from the end of a calendar Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Council may, without a vote of the year. Notice of resignation must reach the general secretariat no later than six Congress, temporarily suspend with immediate effect a member association that months before the end of the calendar year and be sent to the general secretariat seriously violates its obligations. A suspension approved by the Council shall be by registered letter. in effect until the next Congress, unless the Council has revoked such suspension prior to such Congress. 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. 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 19. Independence of member associations and eligible to vote. If it is not confirmed, such suspension shall be automatically lifted. their bodies 3. A suspended member association may not exercise any of its membership rights. 1. Each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue II. Membership Other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with a suspended influence from third parties. member association. The Disciplinary Committee may impose further sanctions. 2. A member association’s bodies shall be either elected or appointed in that association. 4. Member associations which do not participate in at least two of all FIFA competitions A member association’s statutes shall provide for a democratic procedure that over a period of four consecutive years shall be suspended from voting at the guarantees the complete independence of the election or appointment. Congress until they have fulfilled their obligations in this respect. 3. Any member association’s bodies that have not been elected or appointed in compliance with the provisions of paragraph 2, even on an interim basis, shall not be recognised by FIFA. 17. Expulsion 4. Decisions passed by bodies that have not been elected or appointed in compliance 1. The Congress may expel a member association only at the request of the Council if: with paragraph 2 shall not be recognised by FIFA. (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. FIFA Statutes 16 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 20. Status of clubs, leagues and other groups of clubs 20 III. H  ONORARY PRESIDENT, 21 HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT 1. Clubs, leagues or any other groups affiliated to a member association shall III. Honorary president, honorary vice-president 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 AND HONORARY MEMBER 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 21. Honorary president, honorary vice-president and honorary member whatsoever (in particular through a majority shareholding, a majority of voting and honorary member 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 1. The Congress may bestow the title of honorary president, honorary vice-president of any match or competition could be jeopardised. 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. FIFA Statutes 17 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition IV. CONFEDERATIONS (e) to organise all of its own international competitions in compliance with 22 23 the international match calendar; (f) 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; (g) upon the recommendation 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 22. Confederations rights and obligations of the provisional member shall be regulated by the confederation’s statutes and regulations. Provisional members may not take 1. Member associations that belong to the same continent have formed the following part in FIFA final competitions; confederations, which are recognised by FIFA: (a) Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol – CONMEBOL (h) 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 (b) Asian Football Confederation – AFC problems relating to the interests of the confederations and FIFA; IV. Confederations (c) Union des associations européennes de football – UEFA (i) to ensure that the representatives appointed to FIFA bodies or elected to the (d) Confédération Africaine de Football – CAF 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 (e) Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association regulations issued by FIFA; Football – Concacaf (j) to set up committees that work closely together with the corresponding (f) Oceania Football Confederation – OFC committees at FIFA; Recognition of each confederation by FIFA entails full mutual respect of each other’s (k) exceptionally to allow, with FIFA’s consent, an association from another authority within their respective institutional areas of competence as set forth confederation (or clubs belonging to that association) to participate in in these Statutes. a competition that it is organising; 2. FIFA may, in exceptional circumstances, authorise a confederation to grant (l) with the mutual cooperation of FIFA, to take any action considered necessary membership to an association that belongs geographically to another continent to develop the game of football on the continent concerned, such as arranging and is not affiliated to the confederation on that continent. The opinion of the development programmes, courses, conferences, etc.; confederation concerned geographically shall be obtained. (m) to set up the bodies necessary to fulfil the duties incumbent upon it; and 3. Each confederation shall have the following rights and obligations: (n) to procure the funds necessary to fulfil its duties. (a) to comply with and enforce compliance with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA; 4. The Council may delegate other duties or powers to one or more (or all) confederations by agreement with such confederations or confederation. (b) to work closely with FIFA in every domain so as to achieve the objectives stipulated in article 2 and to organise international competitions; 5. The confederations’ statutes and regulations, as revised from time to time, shall be (c) to propose candidates for the chairperson, deputy chairperson and members notified to FIFA. of the standing committees; FIFA Statutes (d) to organise its own interclub competitions, in compliance with the international match calendar; 18 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 23. Confederations’ statutes 24 V. ORGANISATION 25 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; 24. Bodies (d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers); 1. The Congress is the supreme and legislative body. (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 2. The Council is the strategic and oversight body. and decisions of FIFA and of the respective confederation; 3. The general secretariat is the executive, operational and administrative body. (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; 4. Standing and ad hoc committees shall advise and assist the Council and the general V. Organisation secretariat in fulfilling their duties. Their composition, function and duties are defined (g) regulation of matters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping, club licensing, in the FIFA Governance Regulations. the imposition of disciplinary measures, including for ethical misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity of competitions; 5. The independent committees fulfil their functions in accordance with these Statutes (h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies; and the applicable FIFA regulations. (i) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making; 6. The Football Tribunal fulfils its function in accordance with these Statutes and the applicable FIFA regulations. (j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles of representative democracy and taking into account the importance of gender 7. The independent auditors perform all audits of FIFA’s accounts and financial equality in football; and statements as required by Swiss law. (k) yearly independent audits of accounts. FIFA Statutes 19 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 26 A. CONGRESS 2. Delegates must belong to the member association that they represent and be 27 appointed by the appropriate body of that member association. 3. Confederation delegates may take part in the Congress as observers without 25. Congress a right to vote. 1. A Congress may be an Ordinary or an Extraordinary Congress. A Congress may 4. During their term of office, members of the Council may not be appointed be held in person, by teleconference, by videoconference or by another means as delegates for their association. of communication. 5. The President shall conduct the Congress business in compliance with the Standing 2. The Ordinary Congress shall be held every year. The Council shall fix the place and Orders of the Congress. 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 27. Candidates for the office of FIFA President, statements, including the consolidated financial statements, and the auditors’ report. for the Council and for the chairpersons, V. Organisation deputy chairpersons and members of the 3. The Council may convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time. Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee 4. The Council shall convene an Extraordinary Congress if one-fifth of the member and the judicial bodies 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 1. Only the member associations may propose candidatures for the office of of receipt of the request. FIFA President. A candidature for the office of FIFA President shall only be valid 5. The member associations shall be notified of the place, date and agenda at least if supported by a total of at least five member associations. Member associations two months before the date of an Extraordinary Congress. The agenda of an must notify the FIFA general secretariat, in writing, of a candidature for the FIFA Extraordinary Congress may not be altered. 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.) 26. Vote, delegates, observers 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 1. Each member association has one vote in the Congress and is represented by the FIFA Governance Regulations. a maximum of three delegates. It is recommended that at least one of the delegates be a woman. Only the member associations present are entitled to vote. Attendance 2. The general secretariat shall notify the member associations of the names by teleconference, by videoconference or by another means of communication shall of proposed candidates for the office of FIFA President at least one month before constitute presence. Voting by proxy or by letter is not permitted at a Congress the date of the Congress. held in person. When a Congress is held by teleconference, by videoconference or by another means of communication, voting by correspondence and/or online is permitted. FIFA Statutes 20 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 28 3. Subject to paragraph 4 below, only member associations may propose candidatures 28. Ordinary Congress agenda 29 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 1. The Secretary General shall draw up the agenda based on proposals from the start of the respective confederation congress on the occasion of which the said the Council and the member associations. Any proposal that a member association election shall take place. The confederations shall notify the FIFA general secretariat, wishes to submit to the Congress shall be sent to the general secretariat in writing, in writing, of all candidatures submitted to them within five days of the expiration with a brief explanation, at least two months before the date of the Congress. of the three-month deadline. The confederations shall furthermore provide FIFA with the evidence of timely submission of the candidatures. Each member association 2. The Congress agenda shall include the following mandatory items, as necessary: is entitled to submit only one proposal for a member of the Council. If a member (a) a declaration that the Congress has been convened and composed in compliance association presents proposals for more than one candidate, all of its presented with the Statutes; proposals shall be deemed invalid. A member association may only propose candidates affiliated to its confederation. (b) approval of the agenda; 4. The elections by the member associations of the female candidates for the Council (c) an address by the President; (at least one per confederation) are set out in article 33 paragraph 5 of these Statutes. (d) appointment of five member associations to check the minutes; V. Organisation 5. Council members shall be elected by the member associations on the occasion (e) appointment of scrutineers; of their confederation congresses in accordance with the FIFA Governance (f) suspension or expulsion of a member association (if applicable); Regulations. Candidates for the Council must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. (g) approval of the minutes of the preceding Congress; The election of Council members shall be monitored by FIFA. (h) activity report (containing the activities since the last Congress); 6. The conditions to be observed during a candidature for the office of President and (i) report from the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee; for positions on the Council are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations. (j) presentation of the annual audited financial statements, including the consolidated 7. The Council shall submit proposals for the positions of chairperson, deputy financial statements and the annual report as well as the auditors’ reports; chairperson and members of each of the Governance, Audit and Compliance (k) approval of the annual audited financial statements, including the consolidated Committee and the judicial bodies to the Congress. The Council shall determine the financial statements and the annual report; 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 (l) approval of the budget; months before the start of the Congress. The procedure shall be laid down in the (m) admission for membership (if applicable); FIFA Governance Regulations. (n) votes on proposals for adopting and amending the Statutes, the Regulations 8. Candidates for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the judicial bodies must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee Congress (if applicable); in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. (o) discussion of proposals duly submitted by the member associations and the 9. Candidates for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and members Council within the period stipulated under paragraph 1 (if applicable); of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee must pass an eligibility check (p) appointment of auditors (if applicable); carried out by the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. (q) election or dismissal of the President in accordance with these Statutes FIFA Statutes (if applicable); 21 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 30 (r) election or dismissal of the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members 30. Elections, other decisions, requisite majority 31 of the following committees (if applicable) on proposal of the Council: - Disciplinary Committee; 1. Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. - Ethics Committee; - Appeal Committee; 2. Any other decision that requires a vote shall be reached by a show of hands or by - Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee; 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 (s) vote on the designation of the host country/countries of the FIFA World Cup™ being called in English alphabetical order. and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competitions (if applicable). 3. For the election of the President, where there is only one candidate, the Congress 3. The agenda of an Ordinary Congress may be altered, provided three quarters may decide to elect the President by acclamation. Otherwise, if there are two or fewer of the member associations present at the Congress and eligible to vote agree candidates, a simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is necessary. to such a motion. 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. 29. Adoption of and amendments to the Statutes, V. Organisation the Regulations Governing the Application 4. Council members shall be elected by the member associations in accordance with article 27 paragraph 5 of these Statutes. of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress 5. Each confederation president shall be a vice-president ex officio of the Council. 1. The Congress is responsible for adopting and amending the Statutes, the Regulations 6. Each vice-president and each member of the Council shall be required to fulfil the Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress. eligibility check conducted by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. 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 7. For the election of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of each Council. A proposal submitted by a member association shall be valid, provided of the judicial bodies and of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, it has been supported in writing by at least two other member associations. the candidate(s) who receive(s) the most votes in respect of the free seat(s) shall be elected. 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. 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 4. A proposal to adopt or amend the Statutes shall be adopted if approved by three the Congress may be conducted en bloc. At the request of at least ten member quarters of the member associations present and eligible to vote. associations, however, a separate vote for a specific candidate shall take place. 5. Any proposal to adopt or amend the Regulations Governing the Application of the 9. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Statutes, a simple majority (more than 50%) Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress must be submitted in writing of the valid votes cast is sufficient for elections, votes and other decisions to be valid. with a brief explanation to the general secretariat by a member association or by the Council. 10. Further details are stipulated in the Standing Orders of the Congress. FIFA Statutes 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. 22 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 32 31. Minutes B. COUNCIL 33 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 33. Composition, election of the President, the designated. vice-presidents and the members of the Council 1. The Council shall consist of 37 members: 1 President, elected by the Congress, 32. Effective dates of decisions 8 vice-presidents, Decisions passed by the Congress shall come into effect for the member associations and 28 other members. 60 days after the close of the Congress, unless the Congress fixes another date for Upon being elected to office, every member of the Council undertakes, and accepts a decision to take effect. responsibility, to faithfully, loyally and independently act in the best interests of FIFA and the promotion and development of football at global level. V. Organisation 2. The President shall be elected by the Congress for a period of four years in the year following a FIFA World Cup™. The term of office shall begin after the end of the Congress at which the President 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) FIFA Statutes 23 of 686  Football Agent Exam Study Materials - August 2024 Edition 5. The members of each confederation must ensure that they elect at least one The Council delegates the execution and management of business- or finance-related 34 35 female member to the Council. In the event that no female candidate is elected matters to the general secretariat, which operates under the authority and by the members of a confederation for the Council, the seat reserved for a female supervision of the President and the Council and is accountable to them. 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 3. The Council oversees the overall management of FIFA by the general secretariat. the Council. 4. The Council approves the budget and the annual audited financial statements, 6. No more than one representative from the same member association may serve including the consolidated financial statements, prepared by the Finance Committee on the Council simultaneously. and the annual report to be submitted to the Congress for approval. 7. If the President is permanently or temporarily prevented from performing their 5. The Council appoints the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the official function, the longest-serving vice-president shall assume the powers and standing committees and of the chambers of the Football Tribunal. responsibilities of the President until the next Congress. This Congress shall elect a 6. The Council shall propose to the Congress for election the chairpersons, deputy new President, if necessary. If the longest-serving vice-president is prevented from chairpersons and members of the Disciplinary Committee, the Ethics Committee, assuming the powers and responsibilities of the President, the next longest-serving the Appeal Committee and the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee. vice-president shall assume the powers and responsibilities of the President. V. Organisation 7. The Council may decide to set up ad hoc committees if necessary at any time. 8. Any vice-president or other member of the Council who is permanently or temporarily prevented from performing their official function shall be replaced by the members 8. The Council shall appoint the three representatives of FIFA who shall attend the of the relevant confederation which elected such vice-president or member for the general assembly of The IFAB in addition to the FIFA President. Furthermore, remaining period of office. the Council is entitled to decide on how the representatives of FIFA shall vote in The IFAB. 9. The President may invite stakeholder representatives as observers to the Council for agenda items of specific relevance to them. The stakeholder representatives shall 9. The Council shall appoint the Secretary General on the proposal of the President. be given the right to speak on the specific agenda item, but not the right to vote. 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. 34. Powers of the Council