SUB HEADER TO GO HERE

National Dispute
Publication
title overResolution Chamber
Recognition
Principles
two lines maximum
FEBRUARY
MONTH YEAR
2024

Fédération Internationale de Football Association
President:			Gianni Infantino
Secretary General ad interim:
Mattias Grafström
Address:				FIFA				FIFA-Strasse 20
				P.O. Box
				8044 Zurich
				Switzerland
Telephone:			+41 (0)43 222 7777
Website:				FIFA.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEFINITIONS3

1.
2.

Objective and scope
National dispute resolution chamber

02. NDRC RECOGNITION PROCESS
3.
4.
5.

Requirements and recognition process
Renewal of recognition
Revocation of recognition 

03. FINAL PROVISIONS
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Decisions
Disciplinary mattersMatters not provided for
Official languages
Enforcement

ANNEXE. NATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION CHAMBER STANDARD
REGULATIONS 

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5
5

8
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10
11

12
13
13
13
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13

15

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

16

INTRODUCTORY PROVISION
		 Article 1: Scope

19
19

COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
		 Article 2: Composition
Article 3: Independence and conflict of interest

19
19
20

GENERAL PROCEDURAL RULES		 Article 4: Jurisdiction 		 Article 5: Adjudication
		 Article 6: Applicable law		 Article 7: Language of the proceedings
		 Article 8: Communication
		 Article 9: Procedural rights and obligations		 Article 10: Submissions 		 Article 11: Evidence

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Table of contents

01. GENERAL RULES

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Article 12: Time limits
Article 13: Confidentiality
Article 14: Procedural costs
Article 15: Efficient proceedings

PROCEDURES BEFORE THE NDRC		 Article 16: Parties		 Article 17: Representation
		 Article 18: Claims
		 Article 19: R esponse to the claim and counterclaim		 Article 20: Second round of submissions		 Article 21: Closure of submission phase		 Article 22: Deliberations		 Article 23: Form and content of decisions
Article 24: Notifications of decisions		 Article 25: Publication of decisions

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APPEALS28
		 Article 26: Appeals28FINAL PROVISIONS		 Article 27: Exemption from liability		 Article 28: Disciplinary matters		 Article 29: Adoption and enforcement

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3

DEFINITIONSDefinitions

For the purpose of these National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition
Principles, the defined terms set out in the FIFA Statutes and the Regulations
on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) shall apply.

﻿01.
GENERAL RULES

5

1. Objective and scope
1.	FIFA has a statutory obligation to regulate all matters relating to the gameof football and to provide the necessary institutional means to resolve
disputes that may arise between or among football stakeholders.

2.	FIFA recognises that parties may wish to refer an employment-related
dispute to a dispute resolution system at national level, instead ofsubmitting it to FIFA or seeking redress before a civil court. FIFA supports
and promotes the creation of national dispute resolution systems, provided
that they meet procedural standards to protect all involved parties.
Any national dispute resolution system must guarantee fundamental
procedural principles, in particular the principle of equal representation
between employers and employees.

3.	
These National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles
establish:
a. the required standards for a national dispute resolution system to berecognised by FIFA; andb. the recognition procedure at FIFA level.

1.

Member associations that wish to operate a national dispute resolution
system recognised by FIFA shall establish such a system as a national
dispute resolution chamber (NDRC), or under an equivalent name, andmeet all fundamental procedural standards to protect all involved parties.

2.

The NDRC shall be mentioned and recognised as an official decision-making
body in the statutes of the relevant member association, and it shall comply
with the requirements set out in these National Dispute Resolution Chamber
Recognition Principles and its Annexe 1 (National Dispute Resolution ChamberStandard Regulations).

3.

In order to be recognised, an NDRC must meet the following key criteria inparticular:a. Its jurisdiction shall be to hear disputes related to, or arising out of, thecontractual relationship between employees (players or coaches) andemployers (clubs). Disputes between clubs and players in relation to theGeneral rules

2. National dispute resolution chamber

01.

6

maintenance of contractual stability (arts 13-18 of the RSTP) where there
has been an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) request and a claim
from an interested party in relation to the request, in particular regarding
the issuance of the ITC, sporting sanctions or compensation for breachof contract, as well as employment-related disputes of an international
dimension between a member association and a coach, remain within thejurisdiction of FIFA (art. 22 par. 1 a) and c) of the RSTP).
b. As a general rule, the NDRC shall have jurisdiction to hear disputes of anational dimension. For disputes of an international dimension, the NDRC
may accept jurisdiction only if the relevant employment contract contains
an express clause, which confers exclusive jurisdiction for disputes arisingout of (or in connection with) the respective employment contract on therespective NDRC or if the exclusive jurisdiction of the NDRC is provided bya collective bargaining agreement established at national level.
c.

The composition of the NDRC shall guarantee independence andimpartiality and it shall respect the principle of equal representation
between employees and employers. Specifically, the appointment process
shall adhere to the following principles.

Employee representativesi.

If a players’ association affiliated to FIFPRO exists at national level, theemployee representatives shall be appointed at the proposal of suchnational players’ association affiliated to FIFPRO.

ii.

If a national players’ association affiliated to FIFPRO does not exist, theemployee representatives may be appointed at the proposal of anotherplayer representative organisation, however, only under the condition thatthe member association requesting recognition of its NDRC demonstrate
to the comfortable satisfaction of the Dispute Resolution Chamber(DRC) that such representative body truly, genuinely and independently
represents the will and interests of players at national level.

iii. If no organisations exist as per i) or ii) above, the process shall be basedon that agreed by FIFA and FIFPRO.

Employer representatives
The employer representatives shall be appointed at the proposal of an
employer representative organisation or, where no such organisation
exists, the employer representatives shall be appointed by the clubs
through a process organised by the relevant member association.

7

Chairperson and deputy chairperson(s)The chairperson and deputy chairperson(s) of an NDRC must be appointed
based on a consensus between the stakeholders involved in the appointmentof the employee representatives, on the one hand, and the appointment of
the employer representatives, on the other, as defined above.
d. Deviations from the appointment process as per c) above are permissible
only as long as the principles of parity and equal representation between
employers and employees are strictly complied with, and only under thecondition that any representative organisation of employers or employees
truly, genuinely and independently represents the will and interests of its
respective stakeholders.
e. Individuals appointed to the NDRC must not hold any other position
within the relevant member association (whether on its executive bodyor part of its administration) and they may not represent players, coaches
or clubs in any other dispute before the NDRC.
The member association shall adopt procedural rules to govern theorganisation, composition and functions of the NDRC. These procedural
rules must comply with the requirements set out herein, and they must,in particular, contain provisions guaranteeing the following principles:•

Principle of parity when constituting the tribunal;•

Right to an independent and impartial tribunal;•

Right to a fair hearing and the right to be heard;•

Right to contentious proceedings;•

Principle of equal treatment;•

Right to receive a written decision;•

Confidentiality;•

Principle of access to justice;4.

In order to assist member associations with the establishment of procedural
rules to govern the organisation, composition and functions of the NDRC,
Annexe 1 constitutes a generic sample of the procedural framework
required to operate an NDRC.

5.

Each member association shall publish all regulations and procedural rules
applicable to the NDRC, and all decisions of the NDRC, subject to legitimate
requests of redactions or confidentiality.

General rules

f.

01.

02.
NDRC
RECOGNITIONPROCESS9

3. Requirements and recognition process1.

If a member association wishes for its NDRC to be formally recognised byFIFA, it shall submit an application for recognition of its respective NDRC
in writing to FIFA.
a. The application shall be made via the Legal Portal.
b. The application shall be in English, Spanish or French. Documentationin any other language must be accompanied by a translation into one ofthese three languages.

2.

Member associations shall bear the burden of proving that their NDRC,
including its procedural regulations, comply with the requirements
established by FIFA.

3.

FIFA may, without limitation:a. request any additional information and documentation;b. request amendments to any part of the submitted regulatory framework;andseek the view of the relevant member association or other relevant
stakeholders.

4.

Whenever a request for recognition is made, FIFA will, upon initiation of therecognition process, consult with the national employee representatives,
employer representatives and FIFPRO. FIFA shall also inform the relevant
confederation of the request for recognition.

5.

Member associations shall fully cooperate with FIFA and provide all
requested information and documentation. Failure to cooperate maylead to an application being rejected or considered to be withdrawn and,as appropriate, to disciplinary sanctions.

6.

FIFA will review the documentation provided. After completing its review,it may propose amendments to the regulatory framework or submit theapplication to the DRC of the Football Tribunal for its decision.

7.

The DRC is competent to decide on applications for NDRC recognition. The
DRC shall adjudicate in the presence of at least three members, including
the chairperson or deputy chairperson(s), and the chamber shall always
consist of equal numbers of club and player representatives.

NDRC recognition process

c.

02.

10

8.

If an NDRC complies with all applicable requirements, the DRC shall,in principle, grant recognition for a four-year period subject to article 5
herein. The DRC may also require the relevant member association to makeamendments to its regulatory framework prior to adopting its decision, or
make its decision subject to conditions established by the DRC.

9.

Any NDRC that has been granted recognition shall be considered formallyrecognised for the purposes of article 22 paragraph 1 b) and c) of the RSTP.

10. If an NDRC has not been granted recognition, the member association may
resubmit an application for recognition of its respective NDRC following thesame process as set out in article 3 herein. Where changes were made to aregulatory framework after rejection by the DRC, the member association
shall so indicate in its application, so that the resubmitted application canbe reviewed swiftly.

11. Whenever changes to a recognised regulatory framework are planned,
these changes shall be presented to FIFA prior to their entry into force.
FIFA will then assess whether a new recognition process must be executed.

12. A dispute resolution system in a member association may only deviate
from the requirements established by FIFA based on a collective
bargaining agreement validly negotiated between employee and employer
representatives at national level.

13. Where deviations from the requirements established by FIFA are requiredby mandatory national law, the DRC will assess if the composition of the
NDRC can nevertheless respect the principles mentioned in article 2 inorder to grant recognition of the NDRC.

14. FIFA will publish a list of the NDRCs that have obtained valid recognition,
together with the period of recognition.

4. Renewal of recognition
1.

Following the lapse of the four-year period, or if the relevant member
association wishes to amend the regulatory framework approved by FIFA,it must apply for the renewal of its recognition.

2.

Member associations shall follow the same process as set out in article
3 herein. Where no changes were made to a regulatory framework
already approved by FIFA, the member associations shall so indicate intheir application, so that the renewal of recognition can be granted on an
accelerated basis.

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3.

Applications for the renewal of recognition shall be adjudicated by the DRC.

4.

If an NDRC still complies with all applicable requirements, the DRC shall,in principle, grant the renewal of recognition for a four-year period.
The DRC may also require the member association to make amendments to
its regulatory framework prior to adopting its decision, or make its decisionsubject to conditions established by the DRC.

5. Revocation of recognition
1.

FIFA is competent to investigate at all times whether an approved NDRC andthe respective regulatory framework comply with these National Dispute
Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles.

2.

Where FIFA deems that an approved NDRC no longer complies withthese National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles,
FIFA may request the relevant member association to amend its regulatory
framework accordingly within a given time limit.

3.

FIFA may provisionally suspend a recognition if a prima facie analysis
indicates that the applicable regulatory framework existing at national
level does not comply, or no longer complies, with these National Dispute
Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles.

4.

Where FIFA deems that a recognised NDRC, despite requests to amend
the regulatory framework, no longer complies with these National Dispute
Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles, it shall:a. submit the matter to the DRC of the Football Tribunal;b. publish the information about the referral to the DRC; and5.

as appropriate, forward the file to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

If the matter has been referred to the DRC, the DRC may revoke therecognition of an NDRC if the applicable regulatory framework existing at
national level does not comply, or no longer complies, with these National
Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles. The DRC may also
require the member association to make amendments to its regulatory
framework prior to adopting its decision, or make its decision subject toconditions established by the DRC.

NDRC recognition process

c.

02.

03.
FINAL
PROVISIONS

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6. Decisions
Any decision of the DRC in connection with these National Dispute
Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles is final and binding and not
subject to any appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

7. Disciplinary matters
1.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee is competent to impose sanctions on
member associations that violate these National Dispute Resolution
Chamber Recognition Principles in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary
Code.

2.

FIFA will monitor compliance with these National Dispute Resolution
Chamber Recognition Principles and refer any matter of a potential breachto the FIFA Disciplinary Committee or, as applicable, to the independent
Ethics Committee.

8. Matters not provided for1.

Any matters not provided for herein shall be determined by FIFA.

2.

Cases of force majeure affecting these National Dispute Resolution Chamber
Recognition Principles shall be decided by the FIFA Council, the decisions ofwhich are final.

9. Official languages
If there are any discrepancies in the interpretation of the texts in the various
languages in which these National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition
Principles are published, the English text shall be authoritative.

1.

These National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles wereapproved by the FIFA Council on 17 December 2023 and enter into force asfollows:
a. On 1 February 2024: articles 1 to 3 and articles 6 to 10, which relate to the
NDRC recognition process;Final provisions

10.Enforcement

03.

14

b. On 1 January 2025, article 3 paragraph 8 and articles 4 and 5, which relate
to the effects of recognition, as well as the renewal and revocation ofrecognition.

2.

FIFA member associations that already operate a national dispute resolution
system at the time these National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition
Principles are approved shall submit a formal request for recognition by
1 June 2024. If no such request is submitted, the respective national dispute
resolution system shall be considered to not be recognised by FIFA as of
1 January 2025.

3.

The National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations approvedby the FIFA Executive Committee on 29 October 2007 and FIFA circular
no. 1010 of 20 December 2005 shall be annulled as of 1 January 2025.

4.

Any NDRC that has been granted recognition shall be considered formallyrecognised for the purposes of article 22 paragraph 1 b) and c) of the RSTP
as of 1 January 2025.

Annexe.
NATIONAL DISPUTERESOLUTIONCHAMBER STANDARD
REGULATIONS16

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
These National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations(hereinafter the “Regulations”) constitute a generic sample of applicableprovisions, which meet the procedural requirements as per the National
Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles.
These Regulations are primarily designed to assist member associations
with the establishment of procedural rules to govern the organisation,
composition and functions of the national dispute resolution chamber(NDRC). Where an NDRC is established based on a regulatory frameworkthat directly adopts these Regulations, the NDRC is likely to comply withthe requirements of FIFA for recognition.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is not mandatory for an NDRC to adopt theseRegulations verbatim. However, any procedural regulations of an NDRC
must comply with the standards set out herein, unless a deviation has beenvalidly agreed within a collective bargaining agreement. Where deviations
are required by mandatory national law, the Dispute Resolution Chamber(DRC) of the Football Tribunal will assess if the requirements for recognition
as set out in the National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition
Principles can nevertheless be complied with.
These Regulations give a member association scope to define the exact
regulatory or procedural framework of an NDRC with flexibility, in particularwith respect to the following provisions.
•

Article 1 – In accordance with article 2 paragraph 1 of the National Dispute
Resolution Chamber Recognition Principles: “Member associations thatwish to operate a national dispute resolution system recognised by FIFA shallestablish such a system as a national dispute resolution chamber (NDRC),
or under an equivalent name.” As such, member associations are free toadopt a different name for their respective decision-making body.

•

Article 2 paragraph 1 – Flexibility is provided with respect to the exact
composition of the NDRC, only as long as the principles of parity and equal
representation between employees and employers are strictly complied with.
For the avoidance of doubt, the quantities of members indicated in article 2
only serve as an example, and therefore, member associations can deviate
from such examples.

•

Article 2 paragraph 3 – Flexibility is provided with respect to the term limits ofthe members of the NDRC, since the terms indicated in this provision serve as
an example for member associations. A member association may also decide
not to impose term limits.

•Article 3 paragraphs 4 and 5 – The NDRC may establish a different process toobject their members, provided that an effective legal remedy is granted incase of doubts concerning the impartiality of a member.

•

Article 4 – The NDRC may also adjudicate on other matters not related to thecontractual relationship between employees and employers.

•

Article 5 – Flexibility is provided with respect to adjudication by the NDRC
as long as the principles of parity when constituting the tribunal and equal
representation between employees and employers are complied with.
Specifically, it is also generally possible that disputes are always heard by apanel of three (or more) members.

•

Article 6 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to applicable law(s)in view of specific national circumstances, requirements, as well as otherlaws/rules/regulations that may need to be taken into account, as long as therelevant article provides clarity as to which sets of rules are applicable, whichmust include the relevant member association’s statutes and regulations.
For the avoidance of doubt, the applicable laws listed in article 6 constituteFIFA’s recommendations intended as guidance for member associations.

•

Article 7 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to the language of theproceedings, and a member association may choose English as an additional
language of the proceedings.

•

Article 8 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to the medium ofcommunication. Therefore, the NDRC may establish a different medium
other than email to carry out communication, provided that it is sufficient toestablish time limits and its observance.

•

Article 12 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to the exact time
limits. The time limits indicated in this provision serve as an example formember associations. However, the time limit may not be longer than 40 daysor shorter than 24 hours, barring in exceptional circumstances.

•

Article 14 – As per the National Dispute Resolution Chamber Recognition
Principles, the principle of access to justice shall be met. As a consequence, noadvance of costs shall be payable for the lodging of claims related to, or arisingout of, the contractual relationship between employees (players or coaches)and employers (affiliated clubs) and these disputes before the NDRC shall befree of charge. For the avoidance of doubt, should an NDRC also adjudicate onother matters (not related to the contractual relationship between employees
and employers), other rules regarding costs may be adopted for such matters.

•

Article 18 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to claims before an
NDRC. Additional requirements may be implemented, provided that they do
not unduly restrict access to justice.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

17

A.

18

•

Article 20 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to whether or
not second rounds of submissions are generally granted, provided that theparties’ right to be heard is, in principle, always respected.

•

Article 21 – The content and principle of article 21 is mandatory. However,a degree of flexibility is provided with respect to the exact procedural
technicalities when implementing it.

•

Article 22 – The content and principle of article 22 is mandatory. However,a degree of flexibility is provided with respect to whether or not an NDRC
wishes to hold a hearing, provided that the general principle of the parties’
right to be heard is always respected.

•

Article 24 – The content and principle of article 24 is mandatory. However,an NDRC may also choose to always directly notify the grounds of a decision.

•

Article 26 – A degree of flexibility is provided with respect to appeals. In casethe parties are provided the right to appeal a decision of the NDRC, the NDRC
regulations must establish which body will act as the appeal body from oneof the three options mentioned in article 26 paragraph 1. The NDRC may
establish a different time limit for appeals to that mentioned in article 26
paragraph 2. However, it may not be shorter than five days or longer than
30 days. The NDRC may choose to establish its decisions to be final andbinding and not subject to appeal.

•

Article 27 – Article 27 is not mandatory. However, its content is generally
recommended as a matter of proper administration of justice.
For the avoidance of doubt, the content and principles of the remaining
articles are mandatory.

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INTRODUCTORY PROVISION
Article 1: Scope
These Regulations govern the organisation, composition and functioning of
the NDRC established within the framework of the [Member Association].

COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
Article 2: Composition
The NDRC shall be composed of the following members:a. Between two and ten employee representatives, with the appointment
process adhering to the following principles.
i.

If a players’ association affiliated to FIFPRO exists at national level,
the employee representatives shall be appointed at the proposal ofsuch national players’ association affiliated to FIFPRO.

ii.

If a national players’ association affiliated to FIFPRO does not exist,
the employee representatives may be appointed at the proposal ofanother player representative organisation, however, only under thecondition that the member association requesting recognition of its
NDRC demonstrate to the comfortable satisfaction of the Dispute
Resolution Chamber (DRC) that such representative body truly,
genuinely and independently represents the will and interests ofplayers at national level.

iii. If no organisations exist as per i) or ii) above, the process shall bebased on that agreed by FIFA and FIFPRO.
b. Between two and ten employer representatives.
The employer representatives shall be appointed at the proposal of an
employer representative organisation or, where no such organisation
exists, the employer representatives shall be appointed by the clubs
through a process organised by the relevant member association.
c.

The chairperson and deputy chairperson(s) must be appointed based ona consensus between the stakeholders involved in the appointment of
the employee representatives, on the one hand, and the appointment of
the employer representatives, on the other.

d. The number of employee and employer representatives must be equal.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

1.

A.

20

2.

The chairperson and deputy chairperson(s) of the NDRC shall have legal
qualifications. All employees and employer representatives shall haveknowledge of the relevant law, football regulations, and or relevant
experience in sports dispute resolution.

3.

As a general rule, formal appointment to the NDRC shall be undertakenby the executive body of the member association for a term of four years,
which may be renewed.

Article 3: Independence and conflict of interest
1.

Individuals appointed to the NDRC must not hold any other position within
the member association (whether on its executive body or as part of its
general secretariat).

2.

Individuals appointed to the NDRC must not represent players, coaches orclubs in any dispute before the NDRC.

3.

A member of the NDRC may not take part in deciding a matter if there is any
legitimate doubt as to their impartiality, and shall disclose any circumstancethat could give rise to a conflict of interest.

4.

A party may challenge a member of the NDRC appointed to decide amatter if it believes that there is a legitimate doubt as to their impartiality.
Any party who wishes to object to a member shall submit a written
statement to the chairperson of the NDRC within five days of becoming
aware of the grounds for the objection, failing which it will forfeit the rightto do so. The petition shall contain a precise account of its grounds and therelevant evidence.

5.

The decision on such challenge shall be made by the chairperson or deputy
chairperson(s) of the NDRC. If the chairperson or deputy chairperson(s)is/are challenged by a party, the decision on such challenge shall be madeby the non-challenged members of the NDRC appointed to decide a matter.

21

GENERAL PROCEDURAL RULES
Article 4: Jurisdiction
1.

The NDRC has jurisdiction to hear disputes related to, or arising out of,
the contractual relationship between employees (players or coaches) andemployers (affiliated clubs).

2.

As a general rule, the NDRC shall have jurisdiction to hear disputes of anational dimension. For disputes of an international dimension, the NDRC
shall accept jurisdiction only if the relevant contract contains an express
clause, which confers exclusive jurisdiction for disputes arising out of(or in connection with) the respective contract to the respective NDRC or if
the exclusive jurisdiction of the NDRC is provided by a collective bargaining
agreement established at national level.

3.

The NDRC shall examine ex officio whether it has jurisdiction.

Disputes before the NDRC shall either be adjudicated by the chairperson
or deputy chairperson of the NDRC sitting as a single judge, or by a panel
with a minimum of three members, including the chairperson or deputy
chairperson(s). In all cases, the panel shall be composed of an equal
number of employee and employer representatives.

Article 6: Applicable law
When making a decision, in principle, the NDRC shall apply:
a. the [member association’s] statutes and regulations;b. any applicable national law;c.

any applicable collective bargaining agreement; andd. the specificity of sport.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

Article 5: Adjudication

A.

22

Article 7: Language of the proceedings
The proceedings shall be held in [official language(s) of the member
association] [or in English].

Article 8: Communication
1.

Communication shall be carried out via email.

2.

Communication to the NDRC shall be addressed to the official email of the
NDRC.

3.

Communication from the NDRC to the parties shall be sent by using theemail address provided by the relevant party.

Article 9: Procedural rights and obligations
1.

A party may file submissions, produce evidence and examine the case file
before any decision is made.

2.

The parties to a dispute must be treated equally.

3.

A party shall always act in good faith, tell the truth and cooperate with any
request for information made by the NDRC. The same obligations apply to
any natural person or legal person under the jurisdiction of the member
association that is not a party in a procedure but has been requested tocontribute to a procedure of the NDRC.

Article 10: Submissions
1.

Any submission to the NDRC not made in the official language pursuant toarticle 7 above will be disregarded.

2.

Each party to a dispute is entitled to examine and comment on the
allegations filed by the other party and attempt to rebut and disprove themwith its own allegations and evidence.

3.

A party that receives a submission made by another party within the scopeof a procedure shall maintain strict confidentiality on that submission,
unless such disclosure is made to professional advisers or is required by law.

23

1.

Any type of evidence may be produced. The NDRC has ultimate discretionas to the weight it gives to evidence and as to the admissibility of evidence
produced. All the evidence upon which a party intends to rely must be
filed in the original language or translated into the official language of[the relevant member association] pursuant to article 7 above.

2.

The NDRC may consider and rely on any evidence not presented by theparties, including without limitation the evidence generated by or within theTransfer Matching Sytem and/or a domestic registration or transfer system,
provided that each party has the right to comment on such evidence.

3.

A party that asserts a fact has the burden of proving it.

4.

Where the taking of evidence leads to costs incurred by testimonies orexpert reports, the expense shall be borne by the party requesting theevidence.

5.

The NDRC may, ex officio, or at the request of one of the parties, refuse to
take evidence that it does not consider relevant or that would otherwise
unnecessarily delay the proceedings.

Article 12: Time limits
1.

The parties shall make their submissions within the time limits establishedherein. Time limits will commence the day after receipt of the relevant
communication.

2.

As a general rule, the time limits set by the NDRC may not be shorter thanseven days or longer than 20 days. The time limit will commence the day
after receipt of the relevant communication.

3.

If the last day of a time limit coincides with an official public holiday or a
non-working day in the place of domicile of the party required to comply
with the time limit, or, if the party is being represented, in the place of
domicile of its main legal representative, the time limit will expire at theend of the next working day.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

Article 11: Evidence

A.

24

4.

A time limit is deemed to have been complied with if the action required orrequested has been completed by the last day of the time limit in the placeof domicile of the party, or, if the party is being represented, in the placeof domicile of its main legal representative. Submissions and evidence filed
outside the relevant time limit shall be disregarded.

5.

Time limits set by the administration of the NDRC may be extended
upon substantiated request submitted before the expiry of the relevanttime limit.

Article 13: Confidentiality
All members of the NDRC shall maintain strict confidentiality on any casethey decide and all matters that arise during the exercise of their duties.

Article 14: Procedural costs
Proceedings for disputes related to, or arising out of, the contractual
relationship between employees and employers before the NDRC are freeof charge, subject to article 11 paragraph 4.

Article 15: Efficient proceedings
The NDRC shall do its utmost to resolve all proceedings before it
expeditiously. As a principle, a decision shall be rendered within no morethan two months after the closure of the investigation of a matter.

PROCEDURES BEFORE THE NDRC
Article 16: Parties
Parties to procedures before the NDRC can be the clubs affiliated to the[member association] as well as players and coaches.

Article 17: Representation
A party may appoint an authorised representative to act on its behalf inany procedure. It shall provide a valid authorisation to be represented in
the specific procedure.

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Article 18: Claims
1.

A claim shall contain at least the following:a. The name, email address(es) and postal address(es) of the party
b. If applicable, the name, email address(es) and postal address(es) for
notification of any authorised representative, and a copy of a written,
specific and recent power of attorneyc.

The identity and address(es) of the respondent(s)d. A statement of claim, setting out full written arguments in fact and law,
the full body of evidence and requests for relief
e. The date and a valid signature2.

If the claim is incomplete, the NDRC will inform the claimant and request
rectification. If the claim is not rectified within the time limit given, it will bedeemed to be withdrawn. The claim may, however, be resubmitted.

1.

After determining that the claim is complete, the NDRC will request thatthe respondent(s) submit their response to the claim within the time limit
granted. If the respondent(s) fail(s) to submit a response to the claim within
the time limit, a decision will be made based on the file.

2.

The respondent(s) may submit a counterclaim with their response to theclaim. A counterclaim shall have the same form as a claim and shall be
submitted within the same time limit as that for the response to the claim.

3.

Should the response to the counterclaim refer to matters which did notform part of the counterclaim, those matters will not be considered.

Article 20: Second round of submissions
The NDRC will decide, where necessary, whether there will be a second
round of submissions.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

Article 19: R esponse to the claim and counterclaim

A.

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Article 21: Closure of submission phase
1.

The NDRC will notify the parties of the closure of the submission phase of
the procedure. After such notification, the parties may not supplement oramend their submissions or requests.

2.

The NDRC may request additional information and/or documentation at
any time within the scope of a procedure.

Article 22: Deliberations
1.

The NDRC shall, as a principle, make a decision based on the written file.
Hearings will be held only in exceptional circumstances.

2.

Deliberations may be held electronically or in person and shall be kept
confidential.

3.

The NDRC shall reach a decision by a simple majority of the appointed
panel. The chairperson of the meeting and the other members present
have one vote each. If the votes are equal, the chairperson for that matter
will have the casting vote.

Article 23: Form and content of decisions
The NDRC shall deliver a decision in writing that states at least the following:a. The date on which the decision was passed
b. The names of the participating members of the deciding bodyc.

The names of the parties and any representatives they may haved. The parties’ requests for relief
e. The findings of fact and of law
f.

The ruling (including, where applicable, an allocation of costs)

g. The signature of the presiding member
h. If applicable, an indication of the legal remedies available (stating the formof the appeal, the authority and the time limit)i.

The consquences of non-compliance with the decision

27

1.

A decision shall be notified to the parties to the relevant dispute within areasonable time frame and without undue delay.

2.

Notification is deemed complete when the decision is communicated toa party. Notification of an authorised representative will be regarded as
notification of the party that they represent.

3.

Decisions enter into force as soon as notification occurs.

4.

Generally, a party will be notified of the operative part of the decision
as soon as possible after the relevant decision is passed. Decisions that
immediately impose sporting sanctions against a party shall only be
communicated with grounds.

5.

A party has ten calendar days from notification of the operative part ofthe decision to request the grounds of the decision. Failure to comply withthe time limit will result in the decision becoming final and binding and theparty will be deemed to have waived its right to file an appeal. The time limit
to lodge an appeal begins upon notification of the grounds of the decision.

6.

Obvious mistakes in decisions and obvious procedural errors discovered
after a decision is rendered may be corrected, ex officio or on application, by
the NDRC that passed the decision. Where a decision has been corrected,
regulatory time limits will commence from the time of notification of therectified decision.

Article 25: Publication of decisions
1.

The NDRC shall publish its decisions on the website of the relevant member
association.

2.

Where a decision contains confidential information, a party may request
within five days of the notification of the decision that the NDRC publish an
anonymised or a redacted version.

3.

In decisions involving minors, only an anonymised or redacted version
that protects the identity of the minor(s) concerned may be published by
the NDRC.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

Article 24: Notifications of decisions

A.

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APPEALS
Article 26: Appeals
1.

Decisions rendered by the NDRC can be appealed as follows:[Before a decision-making body within the framework of the member
association, provided that the decision-making body guarantees
fundamental procedural principles and complies with the principle ofequal representation between employees and employers][Before a decision-making body agreed on the basis of a valid collective
bargaining agreement][Before the Court of Arbitration for Sport]

2.

Parties have a time limit of 21 days to appeal a decision rendered by the
NDRC. The 21-day time limit for appeals will begin as from the day on which
the grounds of the decision have been notified.

FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 27: Exemption from liability
The members appointed to the NDRC may not be held liable for any action
or omission relating to any decision or procedure undertaken in accordancewith applicable regulations.

Article 28: Disciplinary matters
1.

The [Member Association Disciplinary Committee] and, as applicable, the[Member Association Ethics Committee] shall be competent to impose
sanctions on members of the NDRC that violate the procedural rules of
the NDRC in accordance with the [Member Association Disciplinary Codeand the Member Association Code of Ethics].

2.

Any decision passed by the NDRC shall be enforced by the relevant member
association in accordance with the principles established under article 21
paragraphs 5 and 6 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and in compliance withthe applicable disciplinary regulations.

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1.

These Regulations have been adopted by [the statutorily competent bodyof the member association].

2.

These Regulations come into force on (…) and shall apply to any proceedings
lodged from said date.

National Dispute Resolution Chamber Standard Regulations

Article 29: Adoption and enforcement

A.