The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) was recently involved in discussions during a meeting on the implementation of minimum requirements in contracts of professional players in Europe.
The meeting at the Excelsior Hotel was attended by all stakeholders in the European Professional Football Social Dialogue Taskforce including delegates from the Malta Football Association (MFA), the European Clubs’ Association, international players’ union FIFPro and the European Professional Football Leagues.
The aim behind the gathering involving all Social Partners is that an agreement is reached on changes in existing Malta FA rules relating to player contracts and a standard contract drafted with an agreement on all minimal clauses that should be included in deals between clubs and professional football players, the MFPA said in a statement.
This represents another milestone to the Maltese players association and another step in the right direction for local football in general, the MFPA added.
The MFPA put forward for discussion various important matters, including:
– the removal of salary caps and the importance of having a contract reflecting the exact wage structure, bonuses and fees agreed between a club and a player;
– the composition of a National Dispute Resolution Chamber, known locally as the Players and Coaches Complaints Board; and
– the compulsory medical insurance for players in respect of career-threatening injuries.
“At present, the Players and Coaches Complaints Board does not reflect the equal representation of players and football clubs as demanded by UEFA,” the MFPA said.
“So, the MFPA is keen to ensure that the board is truly independent and impartial and can guarantee players a real and effective remedy in case the contracts are breached.”
More discussion
During the meeting, a number of other important issues were also discussed.
Furthermore, all parties agreed that discussion on the way forward should continue without delay to seek common grounds for the good of the local game.
It was also agreed that the new amendments will be effective as from the start of the next football season.
MFPA president Anthony Galea said his organisation was pleased with the progress made and how the discussion had deve-loped.
“We now look forward to the creation of a local taskforce as discussed with the clubs and MFA representatives to look into the detail of a standard agreement and ensure this is put in place before the coming season,” Dr Galea said.
“The MFPA will be following the process closely. We will also reach out to our members and all players in Malta. The MFPA intends to organise information/education sessions to ensure that the prospective changes are well known to all.”