Sparta Prague

New standard player contract adopted in Czechia

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Sparta Prague
  • New standard player contract set to take effect from the start of the 2024/25 season

  • It comes after extensive consultations involving key stakeholders

  • New contract will be mandatory and recognises country's minimum monthly wage, ensuring players receive fair and adequate compensation

The Football Association of the Czech Republic’s (FACR) Executive Committee has approved a thoroughly revised standard player contract, marking a significant milestone for professional football in Czechia. This new contract, set to take effect from the start of the 2024/25 football season, comes after extensive consultations involving key stakeholders.

The revision process was a collaborative effort between the League Football Association (LFA) and its member clubs, and the Czech Association of Football Players (CAFH), representing employers and employees respectively in the social dialogue for professional football in Czechia.

FACR led the initiative, with oversight at the European level provided by UEFA, FIFPRO Division Europe, the European Club Association, and European Leagues, all united under the European Union Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Football.

This updated standard player contract reflects the collective commitment to enhancing the professional football environment in Czechia. Notably, the new standard player contract will be mandatory and recognises the minimum monthly wage of the Czech Republic, ensuring that players receive fair and adequate compensation.

Slavia Prague Viktoria Plzen
Petr Sevcik of Slavia Prague and Robin Hranac from Viktoria Plzen contest for the ball

FACR President Petr Fousek praised the adoption of this new contract, saying: "This achievement is a testament to the collective efforts and dedication of all domestic football stakeholders. By setting a higher standard for player contracts, we are ensuring a fair and consistent framework that will benefit all parties involved in our sport. It is a demonstration of our commitment to the continuous improvement of football in our country."

With this updated contract, working conditions for professional footballers in Czechia will improve significantly, according to CAFH Chairperson Vochoska Haindlova. "From a player’s perspective, this new standard player contract is much better structured and more balanced, and I want to thank all parties involved for making this happen.

"The minimum monthly remuneration increases to our country’s legal monthly minimum wage. It will be prohibited to demote a player to a lower-division team for a long-term period. Players will be allowed to educate themselves for a new career after football, and now have the right to participate in activities organised by our player association such as meetings and general assemblies."

LFA Executive Director Tomas Barta said: "Enhancing and developing professional football is a long-term goal of the League Football Association. Thus, we embrace the fact that there has been a constructive discussion amongst all the stakeholders and that the important agreement has been reached. Without a doubt, this move will further raise the standards of Czech professional football and support the boom that currently surrounds it."