The GFA Standard Player Contract (GSPC), which will go into force for the 2025–2026 football season, has been accepted by the Executive Council.
This comes after several seasons of intense cooperation between the Football Association, its members, and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG).
All stakeholders contributed to the cooperative and reciprocal effort and drafting, which resulted in the final, approved version for the first edition with the possibility of ongoing clause improvements as the season progressed.
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The Access Bank Division One League, the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League, and the Ghana Premier League will all fully adopt the GFA Standard Player Contract, which is applicable to the signing of all professional players in Ghana.
There will be a transitional time after the Standard Player Contract is authorized, during which the current player contracts will expire and the new contracts will be created using the approved Standard Player Contract Template.
By establishing some basic terms and requirements for a player’s contract in Ghana, the GFA Standard Player Contract seeks to enhance player welfare and conditions. Its main goals are to minimize legal conflicts, level the playing field between teams, and offer guarantees on contractual responsibilities. All clubs in Ghana will receive copies of the GSPC.
This program is in line with the GFA’s dedication to protecting player welfare, upholding international best practices, and offering assurances about contractual duties.
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.
