The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has approved the GFA Standard Player Contract (GSPC) which will take effect from the 2025/26 football season.
This follows an extensive collaborative work between the Football Association, its members and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) for some seasons now. The cooperative and reciprocity work and the drafting saw a number of inputs from all parties culminating in the final approved version for the maiden edition with the option to continuously improve the clauses as the season go by.
The GFA Standard Player Contract which is applicable for the signing of all professional players in Ghana will be fully implemented in the Ghana Premier League, the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League, and the Access Bank Division One League.
Following the approval of the Standard Player Contract, there will be a transitional period where existing player contract will run their course while new contract will use the new Template of the approved Standard Player Contract.
The GFA Standard Player Contract aims to improve player conditions and welfare by codifying some minimum provisions and standards of a player’s contract in Ghana. Its primary objective is to provide guarantees on contractual obligations, creating a level playing field between clubs and minimising legal disputes. Copies of the GSPC will be circulated to all clubs in Ghana.
This initiative aligns with the GFA’s commitment to safeguarding player welfare, adhering to global best practices and the provision of guarantees on contractual obligations.
The GFA Standard Player Contract, as expected, has some pre-defined, legally binding provisions between a professional player and a club and some that the player and the club will negotiate and input. It outlines the terms and conditions of the player’s employment, including duration, compensation, and other relevant regulations.
The GFA Standard Player Contract is designed to create a fair and consistent framework for player contracts within the competition, minimizing disputes and ensuring basic standards are met.
Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of a Standard Player Contract:
- Parties Involved:
- Identifies the player, the club, and the relevant league.
- Indicates if an Agent is involved or not.
- Contract Duration:
- Specifies the start of the agreement (which must be in the transfer windows in July or January).
- Specifies the end of the agreement (which must in June or December, just before the start of the transfer windows).
- Compensation and Benefits:
- Outlines the player’s salary, bonuses, and other forms of compensation.
- Include provisions for benefits like insurance, medical coverage and Minimum wage
- Player Obligations:
- Specifies the player’s responsibilities, such as attending training, participating in games, and adhering to the team’s rules and regulations, Code of Conduct.
- Addresses image rights, promotional activities, interviewing and what not to say or do.
- Club Obligations:
- Details the team’s responsibilities, such as providing training facilities, medical support, and ensuring a safe playing environment.
- Address issues like player development and career guidance.
- 6. Dispute Resolution:
- Includes procedures for resolving any disagreements or disputes that may arise between the player and the team.
- Reference to the GFA Players’ Status Committee and appeals to CAS.
- Termination:
- Outlines the conditions under which the contract can be terminated by either the player or the Club.
- Provisions for breach of contract, misconduct, or other specified events.
- Other Provisions:
- The GSPC has clauses related to:
- Confidentiality: Protecting sensitive information related to the team and its operations.
- Intellectual Property: Addressing the ownership and usage of the player’s image, likeness, and other intellectual property.
- Insurance: Covering the player’s health and potential injuries.
- Independent Contractor Status: If applicable, clarifying the player’s employment status.
The GFA Standard Player Contract is made up of some static clauses but there are portions which require negotiations and amendment to reflect the specific needs and circumstances of each player and the team, within the framework of a free Ghana player market.
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