By
Dr Osondu Martins
It’s a tale as old as time—grassroots coaches discover and train young talents, only for these players to reach stardom and seemingly forget where they started. But beyond emotions, there’s a legal and financial aspect to this: Training Compensation and Solidarity Contribution.
Under FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, clubs that train players between ages 12 and 21 are entitled to Training Compensation when the player signs a first professional contract or moves internationally before the end of the training period. Additionally, Solidarity Contribution ensures that every time a player transfers for a fee, a percentage of that fee is distributed to the clubs that trained him from ages 12 to 23.
Sounds straightforward, right? But here’s the catch: it’s not automatic! Many African grassroots clubs assume that being registered with their Football Association (FA) and on FIFA’s Transfer Matching System (TMS) is enough. Others think handing a player a form at registration is all they need. Unfortunately, when the money starts flowing, they realize they are invisible in the system.
Failing to do the right documentation and what is required under the FIFA rules, this means some agents and intermediaries will cash in, leaving grassroots clubs with nothing but complaints and regrets. Protecting training compensation rights isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation.
Train players, yes. But also, train your club to protect its financial future.