Training compensation claims
We calculate the correct training compensation entitlement, prepare and file the claim before the relevant governing body, and represent the claimant through to the award.
Transfer Disputes in Professional Sport
Licensed lawyers at AMBY Legal handle transfer disputes in football, ice hockey, basketball and other sports — training compensation, contract termination, unpaid fees. FIFA, IIHF, FIBA. Since 2015.
Our clients
Transfer Disputes in Professional Sport
Transfer disputes arise in every professional sport where players move between clubs — football, ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, handball, rugby and others. The specific rules differ by sport and governing body, but the underlying disputes are similar: training compensation not paid, solidarity contributions withheld, transfer fees arriving late or not at all, contracts terminated and the consequences disputed. These are not minor administrative matters. They involve significant money, they follow strict procedural timelines, and they are resolved through sport-specific systems that operate entirely outside national courts.
AMBY Legal represents clubs, players and agents across sports in transfer disputes — from the initial assessment of the claim through to enforcement of the award.
Transfer Disputes Involving Belarus
Belarus has a substantial professional sports sector — football, ice hockey, basketball, volleyball and handball all have professional leagues with clubs regularly involved in international transfers. Belarusian players compete across Europe and beyond. Transfer disputes involving Belarusian clubs or players often have a cross-border element — a foreign club that has not paid training compensation to a Belarusian club, a Belarusian player whose foreign club has stopped paying salary, an agent dispute with international dimensions.
We understand both sides of these disputes — the international regulatory framework and the Belarusian legal context. Most of our transfer dispute work is handled remotely, with proceedings managed by power of attorney where permitted.
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Our Services in Transfer Disputes
Solidarity contribution recovery
We identify solidarity contribution entitlements from international transfers, prepare claims against clubs that have failed to pay, and pursue recovery through FIFA's Football Tribunal.
Unpaid transfer fee claims
We represent selling clubs in claims for unpaid transfer instalments — preparing submissions, managing deadlines and pursuing enforcement once an award is obtained.
Contract termination advice
We advise players and clubs on whether just cause exists for early termination, manage the termination process to protect against liability, and handle the resulting compensation claim.
Agent and intermediary disputes
We represent agents and clubs in disputes over commissions, representation agreements and compliance with the FIFA Football Agent Regulations.
CAS appeals
We prepare and file appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against decisions of FIFA, IIHF, FIBA and other governing bodies in transfer-related matters.
Enforcement
Once an award is obtained, we pursue enforcement — through FIFA's enforcement mechanism, national courts or international recognition procedures.
What Transfer Disputes Involve
Transfer disputes arise at different points in the transfer process and take different forms depending on the sport and the specific circumstances.
Training compensation: When a young player — typically under 23 in football, under 25 in some other sports — moves to a new club, the clubs that trained and developed the player during their formative years are entitled to compensation. The calculation method varies by sport and governing body. Disputes arise when the receiving club disputes the amount, refuses to pay, or argues that the circumstances of the transfer exempt them from the obligation. We calculate the correct compensation, prepare the claim and represent the training club or player before the relevant body.
Solidarity contributions: In football, when a professional player moves between clubs, a percentage of the transfer fee is distributed as solidarity contributions to clubs involved in the player’s training between the ages of 12 and 23. Disputes arise when contributions are not paid, are underpaid, or when clubs disagree about the calculation. We identify entitlements, prepare claims and pursue recovery through FIFA’s Football Tribunal.
Unpaid transfer fees: Club-to-club transfer agreements often involve instalment payments spread over months or years. When a buying club misses an instalment or refuses to pay, the selling club needs to pursue recovery. We handle claims for unpaid transfer fees and contractual damages — including interest and legal costs where recoverable.
Sell-on clauses and contingent payments: Many transfer agreements include clauses entitling the selling club to a percentage of any future transfer fee, or to payments contingent on the player achieving certain milestones. Disputes arise when these clauses are triggered and the buying club disputes the liability or the amount. We draft these clauses to minimise ambiguity, and we enforce them when they are triggered.
Contract termination with just cause: A player or club may terminate an employment contract before its natural expiry if there is just cause — typically defined as a serious and persistent breach by the other party. In football, persistent non-payment of salary is the most common ground. Termination with just cause entitles the terminating party to compensation. The calculation follows established CAS jurisprudence. We advise on whether just cause exists, manage the termination process, and pursue or defend the compensation claim.
Contract termination without just cause: Terminating a contract without just cause exposes the terminating party to significant liability — compensation calculated on the basis of the remaining contract value and other factors set out in the applicable regulations. Clubs and players both face this risk. We assess the exposure, advise on mitigation, and represent clients in the resulting disputes.
Agent and intermediary disputes: Transfer disputes sometimes involve agents — unpaid commissions, disputes over representation agreements, conflicts between agents claiming the same player. The FIFA Football Agent Regulations introduced in 2023 significantly changed the regulatory landscape for intermediaries. We handle agent disputes under the new framework.
Why Clients choose us
Multi-sport coverage
We handle transfer disputes across football, ice hockey, basketball and other sports — not just football. We know the regulatory frameworks of FIFA, IIHF and FIBA.
Belarus expertise
We understand the specific position of Belarusian clubs and players in international transfer disputes — including the applicable bilateral treaties and the local enforcement landscape.
Procedural precision
Transfer dispute timelines are strict and procedural errors are costly. We manage every deadline and ensure submissions meet the technical requirements of the relevant forum.
Remote handling
We manage transfer dispute proceedings remotely by power of attorney. Clients do not need to travel.
Enforcement focus
Winning an award is only the beginning. We stay engaged until payment is received.
FAQ
What is training compensation and who is entitled to it?
Training compensation is payable to clubs that trained a player during their development years when that player transfers to a new club. In football, it applies to players under 23 moving between clubs in different associations. The amount is calculated based on the training costs of clubs in the relevant category and confederation. In other sports, similar principles apply under different federation rules. The receiving club pays; the training club receives. Disputes arise over the amount, the calculation method, or refusal to pay.
What is a solidarity contribution?
In football, when a professional player is transferred between clubs, 5% of the transfer fee is distributed among clubs that trained the player between the ages of 12 and 23, proportional to the time spent at each club. This distribution is called a solidarity contribution. It is separate from training compensation and applies to professional transfers regardless of the player’s age. It is handled through FIFA’s Football Tribunal when clubs fail to pay.
Can a player terminate a contract if the club stops paying salary?
Yes — in football and in most other professional sports with developed dispute resolution frameworks. Persistent non-payment of salary constitutes just cause for termination. In football, the threshold is generally defined as two or more months of unpaid salary. Termination with just cause entitles the player to compensation for the remaining contract value, calculated under established jurisprudence. The process must be managed carefully — premature or incorrectly executed termination can expose the player to liability instead.
How long does a FIFA transfer dispute take?
A standard FIFA Football Tribunal case typically takes between six months and one year from filing to decision. Complex cases with multiple parties or significant evidentiary disputes can take longer. Appeals to CAS add further time. We manage the timeline throughout and keep clients informed at every stage.
What happens if the club that owes transfer fees goes into insolvency?
This is one of the more complex scenarios in transfer disputes. Insolvency of a debtor club does not extinguish the claim, but it significantly affects enforcement. In football, FIFA has specific rules about clubs in financial difficulty. In other sports, the options depend on the federation’s rules and the applicable national insolvency law. We assess the specific situation and advise on the available routes — including claims against the league, the national federation or related entities.