FIFA's Rules On Club Trials For Minors

Many children around the world dream of being a professional soccer player. Not surprising, then, when they are offered a "trial" by a professional club, the player may be one step closer to realizing their dream. But, what exactly is a "trial" and what are the rules that apply to trials when it relates to minors? 

FIFA has established a framework for trials for players who are considered minors (meaning a player who has not yet reached the age of 18). The framework is established in FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. Here is what you need to know:

What is a "trial?" A trial is a temporary period during which a player that is not registered with a club is evaluated by that club. The purpose of the trial is for the club to assess, over a short period, the skills and character of the player with a view to potentially registering that player for the club in the future. 

There are 7 general conditions imposed by FIFA for trials:

1. A trial follows from an invitation from a club to a player for a defined period. Indefinite trials are not permitted. A trialist may be amateur or professional.

2. The parties must agree, before the trial, on all the conditions of the trial - like payment for accommodation, travel, meals, daily expenses, etc. Such conditions must be agreed and signed by the club and player on a form provided by FIFA.

3. The club owes the trialist a duty of care - it must cover the cost of necessary medical treatment for injuries sustained while on trial.

4. The maximum duration of a trial for players aged 21 and below is 8 weeks per club per season (can be consecutive weeks or non-consecutive weeks). The trial must be for a definite amount of time. It cannot be open ended. 

5. A player who is on trial is only permitted to participate in friendly matches and any activity that does not fall within the scope of organized soccer (meaning games or tournaments that are officially organized or authorized by FIFA, football confederations of national associations).

6. There can be no payments with respect to trials, whether to the player, current club of a professional or an agent, other than the conditions that were agreed to prior to the trial as reflected on the FIFA form.

7. Clubs are not entitled to receive training compensation for trials. 

For minors, there are a few more rules to know:

1. How old must you be to be able to go on trial? Under FIFA's rule, a minor may only trial with a club if the trial period begins during the season of the minor trialist's 16th birthday (the age is 15 if the trialist and the club are both domiciled in Europe). So, for the minor who lives in the USA, he won't be able to go on trial in Europe until the season of their 16th birthday.

2. The trialist's parents must give the club written permission for the trial, and this written permission must be provided to FIFA.

3. The club must designate a point of contact within the club for the trialist and provide that individual's name to FIFA.

4. The minor must be provided with optimum accommodation and living standards, and their expenses are covered. 

5. For amateur minor players below the age of 16, the trialist's current club must be informed of the trial and provided with a FIFA form for the trial. So, FIFA's rules attempt to prohibit trialists from going on trial without letting their current clubs know about it.

6. A minor trialist can only attend 2 trials per calendar year. So, the minor trialist can be on trial 16 weeks in any one season. 

The concept of a trial is very important in the soccer ecosystem and FIFA has established a set rules governing this issue. It is important that all players, parents and coaches understand these requirements when they are considering a trial with a professional club abroad.