FIFA recently published the 2024 edition of its Legal Handbook, a crucial reference document for the global soccer community. First released in 2020, this handbook brings together the latest regulations, statutory documents, and circulars issued by the governing body of world soccer, making it an essential resource for everyone involved in the sport.
Scope and Importance of the 2024 Legal Handbook
The FIFA Legal Handbook is a comprehensive tool designed to provide clear guidance for soccer organizations, players, coaches, and administrators. By compiling up-to-date rules and regulations, it ensures that all stakeholders in the soccer community stay aligned with FIFA's latest policies. This annual publication reflects FIFA's commitment to promoting integrity, fairness, and transparency in the governance of the game.
Contents of the Legal Handbook
The 2024 edition covers a wide range of governing documents, including:
- FIFA Statutes: The fundamental regulations that define FIFA's mission, role, and organizational structure.
- Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (2024 edition): Updated rules governing player transfers, with new provisions for female players and coaches.
- FIFA Code of Ethics (2023 edition) and Disciplinary Code (2023 edition): Guidelines to maintain fairness and integrity in soccer.
- FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations: Standards for doping control in the sport.
- FIFA Football Agent Regulations (2023 edition): Rules for agents to ensure ethical representation and professionalism.
- Circulars and guidelines: Clarifications on transfers, contracts, and policies issued by FIFA.
These documents are critical in maintaining consistency and compliance within global soccer operations.
Utility for the Soccer Community
The Legal Handbook is a vital resource for soccer administrators, legal professionals, and organizations. By ensuring clarity and consistency in the application of regulations, the handbook helps safeguard the integrity of soccer matches and the governance of clubs, leagues, and national associations.
Moreover, the handbook plays a pivotal role in resolving legal disputes, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, and navigating complex issues such as player transfers, contracts, and arbitration.
Link to the FIFA Exam
The FIFA exam, particularly for those aiming for certification as soccer agents or those involved in the regulatory aspects of the sport, is partially based on the content of the Legal Handbook. However, FIFA may choose to refer to earlier editions of the handbook for the exam. Therefore, only official communications from FIFA regarding the exam should be considered authoritative during exam preparation. We therefore invite you to consult the FIFA exam subjects available on our study materials page.
Useful resources
- Download the original document from the FIFA website by clicking here
- 10 tips for passing the FIFA exam
- FIFA November 2024 exam: Complete guide for candidates
- And of course, our FIFA agent prep course
