Hundreds of footballers dressed in black converged on the Turkish Football Federation headquarters in Istanbul to protest rule changes that will severely restrict their employment opportunities.
The federation has unilaterally mandated that the 64 clubs in the fourth tier can only contract five players aged 25 or more from next season – which could exclude up to 1,280 jobs from older players.
The Turkish player union, which coordinated the peaceful protest, is appealing the federation’s decision which fourth-tier clubs want to keep down their salary costs. Clubs in the fourth-tier TFF 3 Lig are separated into four leagues of 16.
The new rules mandated by the federation allows players to finish their contract, but many of them will have deals lasting only one season. They also prevent clubs signing foreign players until they have lived in Turkey for at least five years.
The Turkish federation last month held a social dialogue meeting at European level with UEFA, FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues, the European Clubs Association and the Turkish player union to discuss employment rights among other topics.
However, the decision to cap the number of players aged 25 or more in 25-man squads, and restrict foreign players, was made unilaterally without any negotiation with players or their union at a national level. This arbitrary resolution impacts players’ fundamental employment rights and livelihoods.
FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier said: "We strongly support the Turkish player union’s actions to mobilise players over what is unjust interference in the employment market by employers. It is crucial that these restrictive rules are removed on appeal, and in future the Turkish federation negotiates any changes to employment rules with players and their union."
