FIFA STATUTES
April 2016 edition

Fédération Internationale de Football Association
President:
Gianni Infantino
Acting Secretary General: Markus Kattner
Address:
FIFA-Strasse 20
P.O. Box8044 Zurich
Switzerland
Telephone:+41 (0)43 222 7777
Fax:
+41 (0)43 222 7878
Internet:
FIFA.com

FIFA STATUTES
Regulations Governing the Applicationof the Statutes
Standing Orders of the Congress
April 2016 edition

Index

Article

1-9
10-20
21
22-23
24-48
25-32
33-34
35
36-37
38
39-48
49
50-55
56
57-59
60-61
62-66
67-68
69-73
69
70-73
74-75

Page
Definitions
I.
General provisions
II. MembershipIII. Honorary president, honorary vice-president andhonorary member
IV. Confederations
V. Organisation
A. Congress
B. Council
C. President
D. General secretariat
E. Bureau of the Council
F. Standing committees
VI. Annual member associations conferenceVII. Independent committees
VIII. Disciplinary measures
IX. Arbitration
X. Submission to decisions of FIFA
XI. Finance
XII. Rights in competitions and events
XIII. Competitions
A. FIFA final competitions
B. International matches and competitions
XIV. Final provisions

4
6
10
18
19
23
24
32
36
37
39
40
46
47
53
54
57
58
60
61
61
63
65

Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes
1-2
I.
Application for admission to FIFA
3-4
II. Match agents and intermediaries
5-8
III. Eligibility to play for representative teams
9
IV. Sporting integrity
10
V. Laws of the Game
11-13 VI. Referees and assistant referees
14-15 VII. Final provisions

68
69
72
73
74
75
77

Standing Orders of the Congress
1-12Standing Orders of the Congress

80

3

4

Definitions

The terms given below denote the following:
1 FIFA: “Fédération Internationale de Football Association”.
2 Association: a football association recognised as such by FIFA. It is amember of FIFA, unless a different meaning is evident from the context.
3 League: an organisation that is subordinate to an association.
4 British associations: the four associations in the United Kingdom – The
Football Association, The Scottish Football Association, The Football
Association of Wales and The Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland).
5 The IFAB: The International Football Association Board (IFAB).
6 Country: an independent state recognised by the international community.
7 Confederation: a group of associations recognised by FIFA that belong to
the same continent (or assimilable geographic region).
8 Congress: the supreme and legislative body of FIFA.
9 Council: the strategic and oversight body of FIFA.
10 Bureau of the Council: the bureau of the Council as defined in art. 38 ofthese Statutes.
11 Laws of the Game: the laws of association football issued by The IFAB inaccordance with art. 7 of these Statutes.
12 Member association: an association that has been admitted into
membership of FIFA by the Congress.
13 Official: any board member (including the members of the Council),committee member, referee and assistant referee, coach, trainer and anyother person responsible for technical, medical and administrative mattersin FIFA, a confederation, a member association, a league or a club as well as
all other persons obliged to comply with the FIFA Statutes (except players
and intermediaries).

Definitions

14 Club: a member of an association (that is a member association of FIFA) ora member of a league recognised by a member association that enters atleast one team in a competition.
15 Player: any football player licensed by an association.
16 Association football: the game controlled by FIFA and organised by FIFA,
the confederations and/or the member associations in accordance with theLaws of the Game.
17 Official competition: a competition for representative teams organised byFIFA or any confederation.
18 Stakeholder: a person, entity or organisation which is not a member
association and/or body of FIFA but has an interest or concern in FIFA’s
activities, which may affect or be affected by FIFA’s actions, objectives andpolicies, in particular clubs, players, coaches and professional leagues.

NB: Terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders.
Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.

56

I. General provisions

1

Name and headquarters

1.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is an association
registered in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich in accordancewith art. 60 ff. of the Swiss Civil Code.
2.
FIFA’s headquarters are located in Zurich (Switzerland) and may only betransferred to another location following a resolution passed by the Congress.

2

Objectives

The objectives of FIFA are:a) to improve the game of football constantly and promote it globally inthe light of its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values,
particularly through youth and development programmes;b) to organise its own international competitions;c) to draw up regulations and provisions governing the game of football andrelated matters and to ensure their enforcement;d) to control every type of association football by taking appropriate steps toprevent infringements of the Statutes, regulations or decisions of FIFA or of
the Laws of the Game;e) to use its efforts to ensure that the game of football is available to andresourced for all who wish to participate, regardless of gender or age;f) to promote the development of women’s football and the full participationof women at all levels of football governance; andg) to promote integrity, ethics and fair play with a view to preventing all
methods or practices, such as corruption, doping or match manipulation,
which might jeopardise the integrity of matches, competitions, players,
officials and member associations or give rise to abuse of association
football.

I. General provisions

3

Human rights

FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights
and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights.

4

Non-discrimination, gender equality and stance against racism

Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group ofpeople on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender,
disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth,birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly
prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.

5

Promoting friendly relations

1.
FIFA shall promote friendly relations:a) between and among member associations, confederations, clubs, officials
and players; andb) in society for humanitarian objectives.
2.
FIFA shall provide the necessary institutional means to resolve any dispute that
may arise between or among member associations, confederations, clubs,
officials and players.

78

I. General provisions

6

Players

The Council shall regulate the status of players and the provisions fortheir transfer, as well as questions relating to these matters, in particular
the encouragement of player training by clubs and the protection ofrepresentative teams, in the form of special regulations from time to time.

7

Laws of the Game

1.
Each member association shall play association football in compliance with theLaws of the Game issued by The IFAB. Only The IFAB may lay down and alter
the Laws of the Game.
2.
The IFAB is an association in accordance with Swiss law with its headquarters
located in Zurich (Switzerland). The members of The IFAB are FIFA and the four
British associations.
3.
The organisation, duties and responsibilities of The IFAB are governed by thestatutes of The IFAB.
4.
Each member association shall play futsal in accordance with the Futsal Laws of
the Game, as issued by the Council.
5.
Each member association shall play beach soccer in accordance with the Beach
Soccer Laws of the Game, as issued by the Council.

8

Conduct of bodies, officials and others

1.
All bodies and officials must observe the Statutes, regulations, decisions andCode of Ethics of FIFA in their activities.

I. General provisions

2.
Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances
be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant
confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific periodof time.
3.
Every person and organisation involved in the game of football is obliged toobserve the Statutes and regulations of FIFA as well as the principles of fair
play.

9

Official languages

1.
English, Spanish, French and German are the official languages of FIFA.
English is the official language for minutes, official correspondence andannouncements.
2.
Member associations are responsible for translations into the language(s) of
their country.
3.
English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic and Portuguese are theofficial languages at the Congress. Qualified interpreters shall translate into
these languages. Delegates may speak in their mother tongue if they ensureinterpretation into one of the official Congress languages by a qualified
interpreter.
4.
The Statutes, Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes, theStanding Orders of the Congress, decisions and announcements of FIFA shallbe published in the four official languages. If there is any divergence in thewording, the English text shall be authoritative.

910

II. Membership

10

Admission, suspension and expulsion

The Congress shall decide whether to admit, suspend or expel a member
association solely upon the recommendation of the Council.

11

Admission

1.
Any association which is responsible for organising and supervising football inall of its forms in its country may become a member association. Consequently,
it is recommended that all member associations involve all relevant
stakeholders in football in their own structure. Subject to par. 5 and par. 6
below, only one association shall be recognised as a member association ineach country.
2.
Membership is only permitted if an association is currently a member of aconfederation. The Council may issue regulations with regard to the admission
process.
3.
Any association wishing to become a member association shall apply in writing
to the FIFA general secretariat.
4.
The association’s legally valid statutes shall be enclosed with the application formembership and shall contain the following mandatory provisions:a) always to comply with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA andof the relevant confederation;b) to comply with the Laws of the Game in force;c) to recognise the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as specified in these
Statutes.
5.
Each of the four British associations shall be recognised as a separate member
association of FIFA.

II. Membership6.
An association in a region which has not yet gained independence may, withthe authorisation of the member association in the country on which it isdependent, also apply for admission to FIFA.
7.
This article shall not affect the status of existing member associations.

12

Request and procedure for application

1.
The Council shall request the Congress either to admit or not to admit anassociation. The association may state the reasons for its application to theCongress.
2.
The new member association shall acquire membership rights and duties assoon as it has been admitted. Its delegates are eligible to vote and be electedwith immediate effect.

13

Member associations’ rights

1.
Member associations have the following rights:a) to take part in the Congress;b) to draw up proposals for inclusion in the agenda of the Congress;c) to nominate candidates for the FIFA presidency and the Council;d) to participate in and cast their votes at all FIFA elections in accordance with
the FIFA Governance Regulations;e) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA;

11

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II. Membershipf) to take part in FIFA’s assistance and development programmes; andg) to exercise all other rights arising from these Statutes and otherregulations.
2.
The exercise of these rights is subject to other provisions in these Statutes andthe applicable regulations.

14

Member associations’ obligations

1.
Member associations have the following obligations:a) to comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions ofFIFA bodies at any time as well as the decisions of the Court of Arbitrationfor Sport (CAS) passed on appeal on the basis of art. 57 par. 1 of the FIFA
Statutes;b) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA;c) to pay their membership subscriptions;d) to cause their own members to comply with the Statutes, regulations,directives and decisions of FIFA bodies;e) to convene its supreme and legislative body at regular intervals, at least
every two years;f) to ratify statutes that are in accordance with the requirements of the FIFA
Standard Statutes;g) to create a referees committee that is directly subordinate to the member
association;h) to respect the Laws of the Game;i) to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs
are not influenced by any third parties in accordance with art. 19 of these
Statutes;II. Membershipj) to comply fully with all other duties arising from these Statutes and otherregulations.
2.
Violation of the above-mentioned obligations by any member association may
lead to sanctions provided for in these Statutes.
3.
Violations of par. 1 (i) may also lead to sanctions, even if the third-party
influence was not the fault of the member association concerned. Eachmember association is responsible towards FIFA for any and all acts of themembers of their bodies caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconductof such members.

15

Member associations’ statutes

Member associations’ statutes must comply with the principles of good
governance, and shall in particular contain, at a minimum, provisions relating
to the following matters:a) to be neutral in matters of politics and religion;b) to prohibit all forms of discrimination;c) to be independent and avoid any form of political interference;d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers);e) all relevant stakeholders must agree to respect the Laws of the Game,the principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play as wellas the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the respective
confederation;f) all relevant stakeholders must agree to recognise the jurisdiction andauthority of CAS and give priority to arbitration as a means of dispute
resolution;g) that the member association has the primary responsibility to regulatematters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping, the registration

13

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II. Membershipof players, club licensing, the imposition of disciplinary measures, including
for ethical misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity ofcompetitions;h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies;i) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making;j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles
of representative democracy and taking into account the importance ofgender equality in football; andk) yearly independent audits of accounts.

16

Suspension

1.
The Congress may suspend a member association solely at the request of
the Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Council may, without avote of the Congress, temporarily suspend with immediate effect a member
association that seriously violates its obligations. A suspension approved by
the Council shall be in effect until the next Congress, unless the Council has
revoked such suspension prior to such Congress.
2.
A suspension of a member association by the Congress requires a three-quarter(3/4) majority of the member associations present and eligible to vote. A
suspension of a member association by the Congress or the Council shall be
confirmed at the next Congress by a three-quarter majority of the member
associations present and eligible to vote. If it is not confirmed, such suspension
shall be automatically lifted.
3.
A suspended member association may not exercise any of its membershiprights. Other member associations may not entertain sporting contact witha suspended member association. The Disciplinary Committee may impose
further sanctions.

II. Membership

4.
Member associations which do not participate in at least two of all FIFA
competitions over a period of four consecutive years shall be suspended fromvoting at the Congress until they have fulfilled their obligations in this respect.

17

Expulsion

1.
The Congress may expel a member association only at the request of theCouncil if:a) it fails to fulfil its financial obligations towards FIFA; orb) it seriously violates the Statutes, regulations or decisions of FIFA; orc) it loses the status of an association representing association football in its
country.
2.
The presence of an absolute majority (more than 50%) of the member
associations eligible to vote at the Congress is necessary for an expulsionof a member association to be valid, and the motion for expulsion must be
adopted by a three-quarter (3/4) majority of the valid votes cast.

18

Resignation

1.
A member association may resign from FIFA with effect from the end of acalendar year. Notice of resignation must reach the general secretariat nolater than six months before the end of the calendar year and be sent to thegeneral secretariat by registered letter.
2.
The resignation is not valid until the member association wishing to resign
has fulfilled its financial obligations towards FIFA and its other member
associations.

15

16

II. Membership

19

Independence of member associations and their bodies

1.
Each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without
undue influence from third parties.
2.
A member association’s bodies shall be either elected or appointed in thatassociation. A member association’s statutes shall provide for a democratic
procedure that guarantees the complete independence of the election or
appointment.
3.
Any member association’s bodies that have not been elected or appointed incompliance with the provisions of par. 2, even on an interim basis, shall not berecognised by FIFA.
4.
Decisions passed by bodies that have not been elected or appointed incompliance with par. 2 shall not be recognised by FIFA.

20

Status of clubs, leagues and other groups of clubs

1.
Clubs, leagues or any other groups affiliated to a member association shallbe subordinate to and recognised by that member association. The member
association’s statutes shall define the scope of authority and the rights andduties of these groups. The statutes and regulations of these groups shall beapproved by the member association.

II. Membership2.
Every member association shall ensure that its affiliated clubs can take alldecisions on any matters regarding membership independently of any external
body. This obligation applies regardless of an affiliated club’s corporate
structure. In any case, the member association shall ensure that neither anatural nor a legal person (including holding companies and subsidiaries)
exercises control in any manner whatsoever (in particular through a majority
shareholding, a majority of voting rights, a majority of seats on the board of
directors or any other form of economic dependence or control, etc.) overmore than one club whenever the integrity of any match or competition could
be jeopardised.

17

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III. Honorary president, honorary vice-president and honorary member

21

Honorary president, honorary vice-president andhonorary member

1.
The Congress may bestow the title of honorary president, honorary vicepresident or honorary member upon any former member of the Council for
meritorious service to football.
2.
The Council shall propose these nominations.
3.
The honorary president, honorary vice-president or honorary member may
take part in the Congress. They may join in the debates but may not vote.

IV. Confederations

22

Confederations

1.
Member associations that belong to the same continent have formed thefollowing confederations, which are recognised by FIFA:a) Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol – CONMEBOLb) Asian Football Confederation – AFCc) Union des associations européennes de football – UEFAd) Confédération Africaine de Football – CAFe) Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association
Football – CONCACAFf) Oceania Football Confederation – OFC
Recognition of each confederation by FIFA entails full mutual respect of eachother’s authority within their respective institutional areas of competence as
set forth in these Statutes.
2.
FIFA may, in exceptional circumstances, authorise a confederation to grant
membership to an association that belongs geographically to anothercontinent and is not affiliated to the confederation on that continent. The
opinion of the confederation concerned geographically shall be obtained.
3.
Each confederation shall have the following rights and obligations:a) to comply with and enforce compliance with the Statutes, regulations anddecisions of FIFA;b) to work closely with FIFA in every domain so as to achieve the objectives
stipulated in art. 2 and to organise international competitions;c) to organise its own interclub competitions, in compliance with theinternational match calendar;

19

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IV. Confederationsd) to organise all of its own international competitions in compliance with theinternational match calendar;e) to ensure that international leagues or any other such groups of clubs orleagues shall not be formed without its consent and the approval of FIFA;f) at the request of FIFA, to grant associations applying for membership thestatus of a provisional member. This status shall grant associations the rightto take part in the confederation’s competitions and conferences.
Any other rights and obligations of the provisional member shall be
regulated by the confederation’s statutes and regulations. Provisional
members may not take part in FIFA final competitionsg) to nurture relations and cooperation with FIFA actively and constructively
for the good of the game through consultative meetings and to discussand resolve any problems relating to the interests of the confederations
and FIFA;h) to ensure that the representatives appointed to FIFA bodies or elected to
the Council carry out their activities on these bodies with mutual respect,solidarity, recognition and fair play, and in accordance with these Statutes
and any related regulations issued by FIFA;i) to set up committees that work closely together with the corresponding
committees at FIFA;j) exceptionally to allow, with FIFA’s consent, an association from anotherconfederation (or clubs belonging to that association) to participate in acompetition that it is organising;k) with the mutual cooperation of FIFA, to take any action considerednecessary to develop the game of football on the continent concerned,
such as arranging development programmes, courses, conferences, etc.;l) to set up the bodies necessary to fulfil the duties incumbent upon it; andm) to procure the funds necessary to fulfil its duties.

IV. Confederations

4.
The Council may delegate other duties or powers to one or more (or all)confederations by agreement with such confederations or confederation.
5.
The confederations’ statutes and regulations, as revised from time to time,shall be submitted to FIFA for approval.

23

Confederations’ statutes

The confederations’ statutes must comply with the principles of good
governance, and shall in particular contain, at a minimum, provisions relating
to the following matters:a) to be neutral in matters of politics and religion;b) to prohibit all forms of discrimination;c) to be independent and avoid any form of political interference;d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers);e) all relevant stakeholders must agree to respect the Laws of the Game,the principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play as wellas the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the respective
confederation;f) all relevant stakeholders must agree to recognise the jurisdiction andauthority of CAS and give priority to arbitration as a means of dispute
resolution;g) regulation of matters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping,club licensing, the imposition of disciplinary measures, including forethical misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity ofcompetitions;h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies;

21

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IV. Confederationsi) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making;j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles
of representative democracy and taking into account the importance ofgender equality in football; andk) yearly independent audits of accounts.

V. Organisation

24

Bodies1.
The Congress is the supreme and legislative body.
2.
The Council is the strategic and oversight body.
3.
The general secretariat is the executive, operational and administrative body.
4.
Standing and ad-hoc committees shall advise and assist the Council and thegeneral secretariat in fulfilling their duties. Their primary duties are definedin these Statutes and their composition, function and additional duties aredefined in the FIFA Governance Regulations.
5.
The independent committees fulfil their functions in accordance with these
Statutes and the applicable FIFA regulations.
6.
The independent auditors perform all audits of FIFA’s accounts and financial
statements as required by Swiss law.

23

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V. Organisation

A. Congress

25

Congress

1.
A Congress may be an Ordinary or an Extraordinary Congress.
2.
The Ordinary Congress shall be held every year. The Council shall fix theplace and date. The member associations shall be notified in writing at least
three months in advance of the place and date of such Ordinary Congress.
The formal convocation shall be made in writing at least one month before
the date of the Congress. This convocation shall contain the agenda, thePresident’s report, the financial statements, including the consolidated
financial statements, and the auditors’ report.
3.
The Council may convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time.
4.
The Council shall convene an Extraordinary Congress if one-fifth (1/5) of themember associations make such a request in writing. The request shall specify
the items for the agenda. An Extraordinary Congress shall be held within threemonths of receipt of the request.
5.
The member associations shall be notified of the place, date and agenda atleast two months before the date of an Extraordinary Congress. The agenda of
an Extraordinary Congress may not be altered.

26

Vote, delegates, observers

1.
Each member association has one vote in the Congress and is represented
by its delegates. Only the member associations present are entitled to vote.
Voting by proxy or by letter is not permitted.

V. Organisation

2.
Delegates must belong to the member association that they represent and be
appointed by the appropriate body of that member association.
3.
Confederation delegates may take part in the Congress as observers without aright to vote.
4.
During their term of office, members of the Council may not be appointed asdelegates for their association.
5.
The President shall conduct the Congress business in compliance with theStanding Orders of the Congress.

27

Candidates for the office of FIFA President, for the Counciland for the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons andmembers of the Audit and Compliance Committee and the
judicial bodies

1.
Only the member associations may propose candidatures for the office of FIFA
President. A candidature for the office of FIFA President shall only be valid if
supported by a total of at least five member associations. Member associations
must notify the FIFA general secretariat, in writing, of a candidature for theFIFA presidency at least four months before the start of the Congress, together
with the declarations of support of at least five member associations. A
candidate for the office of FIFA President shall have played an active role inassociation football (e.g. as a player or an official within FIFA, a confederationor an association, etc.) for two of the last five years before being proposed
as a candidate and must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review
Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations.
2.
The general secretariat shall notify the member associations of the names of
proposed candidates for the office of FIFA President at least one month before
the date of the Congress.

25

26

V. Organisation

3.
Subject to par. 4 below, only member associations may propose candidatures
for the Council. Member associations must notify the FIFA general secretariat,
in writing, of a candidature for the Council at least four months before thestart of the respective confederation congress on the occasion of which thesaid election shall take place. Each member association is entitled to submit
only one proposal for a member of the Council. If a member association
presents proposals for more than one candidate, all of its presented proposals
shall be deemed invalid. A member association may only propose candidates
affiliated to its confederation.
4.
The elections by the member associations of the female candidates for theCouncil (at least one per confederation) are set out in art. 33 par. 5 of these
Statutes.
5.
Council members shall be elected by the member associations on the occasionof their confederation congresses in accordance with the FIFA GovernanceRegulations. Candidates for the Council must pass an eligibility check carriedout by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA GovernanceRegulations. The election of Council members shall be monitored by FIFA.
6.
The conditions to be observed during a candidature for the office of President
and for positions on the Council are stipulated in the FIFA GovernanceRegulations.
7.
The Council shall submit proposals for the positions of chairperson, deputy
chairperson and members of each of the Audit and Compliance Committee,
the Governance Committee and the judicial bodies to the Congress. The
Council shall determine in advance the number of seats to be assigned to eachconfederation in the relevant committee. Proposals shall be submitted, in
writing, to the general secretariat at least four months before the start of theCongress. The procedure shall be laid down in the FIFA Governance Regulations.
8.
Candidates for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and membersof each of the Audit and Compliance Committee and the judicial bodies must
pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee in accordancewith the FIFA Governance Regulations.

V. Organisation

28

Ordinary Congress agenda

1.
The Secretary General shall draw up the agenda based on proposals from theCouncil and the member associations. Any proposal that a member association
wishes to submit to the Congress shall be sent to the general secretariat inwriting, with a brief explanation, at least two months before the date of theCongress.
2.
The Congress agenda shall include the following mandatory items:a) a declaration that the Congress has been convened and composed incompliance with the Statutes;b) approval of the agenda;c) an address by the President;d) appointment of five member associations to check the minutes;e) appointment of scrutineers;f) suspension or expulsion of a member association (if applicable);g) approval of the minutes of the preceding Congress;h) activity report (containing the activities since the last Congress);i) report from the Audit and Compliance Committee;j) presentation of the annual audited financial statements, including theconsolidated financial statements and the annual report as well as theauditors’ reports;k) approval of the annual audited financial statements, including theconsolidated financial statements and the annual report;l) approval of the budget;m) admission for membership (if applicable);

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V. Organisationn) votes on proposals for adopting and amending the Statutes, theRegulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing
Orders of the Congress (if applicable);o) discussion of proposals duly submitted by the member associations and theCouncil within the period stipulated under par. 1 (if applicable);p) appointment of auditors (if applicable);q) election or dismissal of the President in accordance with these Statutes (ifapplicable);r) election or dismissal of the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and membersof the following committees (if applicable) on proposal of the Council:- Disciplinary Committee- Ethics Committee- Appeal Committee- Audit and Compliance Committee- Governance Committees) vote on the designation of the host country of the FIFA World Cup™ final
competition (if applicable).
3.
The agenda of an Ordinary Congress may be altered, provided three-quarters(3/4) of the member associations present at the Congress and eligible to voteagree to such a motion.

29

Adoption of and amendments to the Statutes, theRegulations Governing the Application of the Statutes andthe Standing Orders of the Congress

1.
The Congress is responsible for adopting and amending the Statutes, theRegulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing
Orders of the Congress.
2.
Any proposals for an amendment to the Statutes must be submitted in writing
with a brief explanation to the general secretariat by a member association
or by the Council. A proposal submitted by a member association shall be

V. Organisation

valid, provided it has been supported in writing by at least two other member
associations.
3.
For a vote on an amendment to the Statutes to be valid, an absolute majority(more than 50%) of the member associations eligible to vote must be present.
4.
A proposal to adopt or amend the Statutes shall be adopted if approved bythree-quarters (3/4) of the member associations present and eligible to vote.
5.
Any proposal to adopt or amend the Regulations Governing the Applicationof the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress must be submitted
in writing with a brief explanation to the general secretariat by a member
association or by the Council.
6.
For any proposal to adopt or amend the Regulations Governing theApplication of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress to be
adopted, a simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is required.

30

Elections, other decisions, requisite majority

1.
Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot.
2.
Any other decision that requires a vote shall be reached by a show of hands
or by means of an electronic count. If a show of hands does not result in aclear majority in favour of a motion, the vote shall be taken by calling the roll,
member associations being called in English alphabetical order.
3.
For the election of the President, where there are two or fewer candidates, a
simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is necessary. If there
are more than two candidates for the election of the President, two-thirds(2/3) of the votes of the member associations present and eligible to vote arenecessary in the first ballot. As from the second ballot, whoever obtains thelowest number of votes is eliminated until only two candidates are left.

29

30

V. Organisation4.
Council members shall be elected by the member associations in accordancewith art. 27 par. 5 of these Statutes.
5.
Each confederation president shall be a vice-president ex-officio of the Council.
6.
Each vice-president and each member of the Council shall be required to fulfil
the eligibility check conducted by the Review Committee in accordance with
the FIFA Governance Regulations.
7.
For the election of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of eachof the judicial bodies, of the Audit and Compliance Committee and of theGovernance Committee, the candidate(s) who receive(s) the most votes inrespect of the free seat(s) shall be elected.
8.
The election of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of eachof the judicial bodies, of the Audit and Compliance Committee and of theGovernance Committee by the Congress may be conducted en bloc. At therequest of at least ten member associations, however, a separate vote for a
specific candidate shall take place.
9.
Unless otherwise stipulated in the Statutes, a simple majority (more than 50%)of the valid votes cast is sufficient for elections, votes and other decisions to bevalid.
10.
Further details are stipulated in the Standing Orders of the Congress.

V. Organisation

31

Minutes

1.
The Secretary General shall be responsible for recording the minutes at theCongress.
2.
The minutes of the Congress shall be checked by those member associations
designated.

32

Effective dates of decisions

Decisions passed by the Congress shall come into effect for the member
associations sixty (60) days after the close of the Congress, unless the Congress
fixes another date for a decision to take effect.

31

32

V. Organisation

B. Council

33

Composition, election of the President, the vice-presidents
and the members of the Council

1.
Subject to article 75 of these Statutes (transitional provisions), the Council shallconsist of 37 members:
1 President, elected by the Congress,
8 vice-presidents, and28 other members.
Upon being elected to office, every member of the Council undertakes, andaccepts responsibility, to faithfully, loyally and independently act in the bestinterests of FIFA and the promotion and development of football at global
level.
2.
The President shall be elected by the Congress for a period of four years in theyear following a FIFA World Cup™. His term of office shall begin after the endof the Congress at which he was elected. No person may serve as President
for more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not). Previous
terms served as a vice-president or as a member of the Council shall not be
considered in determining the term limits of a President.
3.
The members of the Council shall be elected by the member associations on
the occasion of the respective confederation congresses for a term of four
years. Their terms of office shall begin after the end of the congress at which
they were elected. A member of the Council may serve for no more than threeterms of office (whether consecutive or not).
4.
The confederations are allocated the following places on the Council:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

CONMEBOL
AFC
UEFA
CAF
CONCACAF
OFC

vice-president
vice-president
vice-presidents
vice-president
vice-president
vice-president

(1)
(1)
(3)
(1)
(1)
(1)

members
members
members
members
members
members

(4)
(6)
(6)
(6)
(4)
(2)

V. Organisation

5.
The members of each confederation must ensure that they elect at least
one female member to the Council. In the event that no female candidate iselected by the members of a confederation for the Council, the seat reserved
for a female member of such confederation will be deemed forfeited by all
members of such confederation and shall remain vacant until the next electionof members of the Council.
6.
No more than one representative from the same member association may
serve on the Council simultaneously.
7.
If the President is permanently or temporarily prevented from performing his
official function, the longest-serving vice-president shall assume the powers
and responsibilities of the President until the next Congress. This Congress
shall elect a new President, if necessary. If the longest-serving vice-president isprevented from assuming the powers and responsibilities of the President, thenext longest-serving vice-president shall assume the powers and responsibilitiesof the President.
8.
Any vice-president or other member of the Council who is permanently or
temporarily prevented from performing his official function shall be replacedby the members of the relevant confederation which elected such vicepresident or member for the remaining period of office.

34

Powers of the Council

1.
The Council defines FIFA’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values, inparticular with regard to the organisation and development of football atworldwide level and all related matters.

33

34

V. Organisation2.
As regards business- or finance-related matters, the Council shall, inter alia:• define the standards, policies and procedures applicable to the awarding ofcommercial contracts by FIFA;• define the standards, policies and procedures applicable to footballdevelopment grants;• define the standards, policies and procedures regarding the operationalcosts of FIFA; and• define the standards, policies and procedures regarding all other business- or
finance-related matters of FIFA.
The Council delegates the execution and management of business- or financerelated matters to the general secretariat, which operates under the authority
and supervision of the Council and is accountable to it.
3.
The Council oversees the overall management of FIFA by the generalsecretariat.
4.
The Council approves the budget and the annual audited financial statements,
including the consolidated financial statements, prepared by the FinanceCommittee and the annual report to be submitted to the Congress forapproval.
5.
The Council appoints the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of
the standing committees with the exception of those who are elected by theCongress, in accordance with these Statutes.
6.
The Council shall propose to the Congress for election the chairpersons,deputy chairpersons and members of the Disciplinary Committee, the Ethics
Committee, the Appeal Committee, the Audit and Compliance Committee and
the Governance Committee.
7.
The Council may decide to set up ad-hoc committees if necessary at any time.

V. Organisation

8.
The Council shall appoint the three representatives of FIFA who shallattend the general assembly of The IFAB in addition to the FIFA President.
Furthermore, the Council is entitled to decide on how the representatives ofFIFA shall vote in The IFAB.
9.
The Council shall appoint the Secretary General on the proposal of the
President. The Secretary General may be dismissed by the Council acting alone.
10.
The Council shall decide the place and dates of the final competitions of FIFA
tournaments and the number of teams taking part from each confederation.
This shall not apply to decisions on the host country of the FIFA World Cup™
final competition, which shall be voted on by the Congress.
11.
The Council shall issue regulations generally and, in particular, the FIFA
Governance Regulations.
12.
The Council shall deal with all matters relating to FIFA that do not fall within
the sphere of responsibility of another body, in accordance with these Statutes.
13.
The powers and responsibilities of the Council may be specified in greater
detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations.

35

36

V. Organisation

C. President

35

President

1.
The President represents FIFA generally.
2.
The President shall aim to foster a positive image of FIFA and to ensure that
FIFA’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values, as defined by the Council,
are protected and advanced.
3.
The President shall seek to maintain and develop good relations between andamong FIFA, the confederations, member associations, political bodies andinternational organisations.
4.
The President chairs the Congress and meetings of the Council. The President
shall have no right to vote at the Congress; he shall have one ordinary vote on
the Council.
5.
Any powers and responsibilities of the President may be defined in greater
detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations.

V. Organisation

D. General secretariat

36

General secretariat

1.
The general secretariat shall perform its tasks under the direction of theSecretary General, in particular, as regards:• Organisation of competitions and all related matters, in accordance with thedecisions and directions of the Council;• The negotiation, execution and performance of all commercial contracts, inaccordance with the standards, policies and procedures established by theCouncil;• Administrative support for the standing committees of FIFA, in particularwith regard to the awarding of football development grants;• Management of the operations and day-to-day business of FIFA, in
accordance with the parameters established by the Council and within thebudget established by the Finance Committee; and• All other administrative matters necessary for the efficient operation andorganisation of FIFA, as required and authorised by the Council.
2.
The general secretariat is supervised by, and is accountable to, the Council withregard to the discharge of its functions.
3.
The powers and responsibilities of the general secretariat may be defined ingreater detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations.

37

38

V. Organisation

37

Secretary General1.
The Secretary General is the chief executive officer (CEO) of FIFA.
2.
The Secretary General is appointed and may be dismissed by the Council, in
accordance with art. 34 par. 9 of these Statutes. The Secretary General shallreport to the Council.
3.
The Secretary General shall be required to fulfil an eligibility check performedby the Review Committee.
4.
The powers and responsibilities of the Secretary General may be defined ingreater detail in the FIFA Governance Regulations.

V. Organisation

E. Bureau of the Council

38

Bureau of the Council

1.
The Bureau of the Council shall deal with all matters within the competenceof the Council requiring immediate decision between two meetings of theCouncil. The Bureau of the Council shall consist of a maximum of sevenmembers. The FIFA President and the six confederation presidents are ex
officio members of the Bureau of the Council.
2.
The President shall convene meetings of the Bureau of the Council. If ameeting cannot be convened within an appropriate period of time, decisions
may be passed through other means of communication. Such decisions shallhave immediate legal effect. The President shall notify the Council immediatelyof the decisions passed by the Bureau of the Council.
3.
All decisions taken by the Bureau of the Council shall be ratified by the Council
at its next meeting.
4.
If the President is unable to attend a meeting, the longest-serving vicepresident of the Council available to attend such meeting shall deputise for the
President and act as the presiding official of such meeting.
5.
The President is entitled to designate a deputy for any member who is unable
to attend or has a conflict of interest. The deputy shall belong to the Council
and the same confederation as the member who is unable to attend or has aconflict of interest.

39

40

V. Organisation

F. Standing committees

39

Standing committees

1.
The standing committees are:a) Governance Committeeb) Finance Committeec) Development Committeed) Organising Committee for FIFA Competitionse) Football Stakeholders Committeef) Member Associations Committeeg) Players’ Status Committeeh) Referees Committeei) Medical Committee

2.
The standing committees shall report to the Council. They shall advise andassist the Council in their respective fields of function.
3.
Members of the standing committees may at the same time be membersof the Council, with the exception of (i) the members of the GovernanceCommittee, who may not belong to the Council, (ii) the independent membersof the Finance Committee in accordance with art. 41 par. 2 of these Statutes,
and (iii) the independent members of the Development Committee inaccordance with art. 42 par. 1 of these Statutes.

V. Organisation

4.
The chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of each standing
committee shall be appointed by the Council on the proposal of the member
associations, the President of FIFA or the confederations, except for thechairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Governance Committee,
who are elected by the Congress upon the proposal of the Council. The Council
shall ensure appropriate female representation on standing committees.
Their terms shall last for four years, beginning upon the respective date of
appointment by the Council. Members of the standing committees may berelieved of their duties at any time by the Council, except for the members of
the Governance Committee, who may only be relieved of their duties by theCongress.
5.
Candidates for the standing committees must pass an eligibility check carriedout by the Review Committee. Candidates for the Governance Committee
must pass an eligibility check carried out by the investigatory chamber of the
Ethics Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations.
6.
The composition and structure, including qualification and number ofmembers fulfilling independence criteria as well as the specific duties
and powers of the individual committees, shall be stipulated in the FIFA
Governance Regulations.
7.
Each chairperson shall represent his committee and conduct business incompliance with the FIFA Governance Regulations.
8.
The Council and each committee, the latter with the approval of the Council,
may, if necessary, set up a bureau and/or sub-committee to settle urgent
matters.
9.
Each committee may propose amendments to its regulations to theGovernance Committee and/or the Council.

41

42

V. Organisation

40

Governance Committee and Review Committee

1.
The Governance Committee shall consist of at least three members and not
more than 12 members elected by the Congress. No fewer than half of thecommittee’s members, including the chairperson and the deputy chairperson,
shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA GovernanceRegulations.
2.
The chairperson, deputy chairperson and one independent member of theGovernance Committee, while remaining members of the plenary committee,
shall form the Review Committee.
3.
The Governance Committee shall deal with, and advise and assist the Council
on, all FIFA governance matters.
4.
The Review Committee shall conduct eligibility checks in respect of candidates
and incumbent members of FIFA bodies in accordance with these Statutes andthe FIFA Governance Regulations.
5.
The Review Committee shall conduct the independence reviews in respect ofcandidates and incumbent members of the Audit and Compliance Committee
and the judicial bodies as well as of candidates and incumbent members of thestanding committees who must fulfil the independence criteria in accordancewith the FIFA Governance Regulations, and shall review the Related-Party
Declarations submitted by the members of the Council.
6.
Details on the Governance Committee’s and the Review Committee’s
responsibilities are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations.

V. Organisation

41

Finance Committee

1.
The Finance Committee shall consist of at least three members and not morethan 12 members, all of whom must be qualified to deal with financial
matters.
2.
No fewer than half of the committee’s members shall fulfil the independence
criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations.
3.
The Finance Committee shall determine FIFA’s strategy regarding financial
and asset management and advise the Council on these matters. The FinanceCommittee shall in particular prepare FIFA’s budget to be submitted to
the Council for approval, analyse the accounts and consolidated financial
statements and issue a recommendation to the Council as to whether or not toapprove them, and draft policies, rules and guidelines regarding FIFA’s overall
strategy in financial and asset management matters and submit them to theCouncil for approval.
4.
Details on the Finance Committee’s responsibilities are stipulated in the FIFA
Governance Regulations.

42

Development Committee

1.
The Development Committee shall consist of at least three members. No fewer
than half of the committee’s members shall fulfil the independence criteria as
defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations.
2.
The Development Committee shall deal with FIFA’s global development
programmes. It shall devise and propose appropriate strategies, check thesestrategies and analyse the support and programmes provided to member
associations and confederations in this regard. The Development Committee
shall in particular analyse the major development challenges at stake, advise
and assist the Council on FIFA’s member associations and development

43

44

V. Organisation

programmes, propose new development activities and address the related
budget matters, draw up guidelines and regulations on development
programmes, approve the thematic focus, types of activity and budget
allocation per continent and/or per member association, and instruct theadministration on the execution of the Development Committee’s decisions.
The Development Committee may structure itself in different sub-committees
depending on relevant areas of expertise.
3.
Details on the Development Committee’s responsibilities are stipulated in theFIFA Governance Regulations.

43

Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions

The Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions shall organise all official FIFA
competitions in compliance with the provisions of the regulations applicableto the respective competitions, the hosting documents and the hosting
requirements contained or referred to therein.

44

Football Stakeholders Committee

The Football Stakeholders Committee shall deal with football matters(including women’s football, futsal and beach soccer), particularly the structureof the game and the relationship between clubs, players, leagues, member
associations, confederations and FIFA as well as with issues relating to theinterests of club football worldwide, and also analyse the basic aspects offootball training and technical development.

45

Member Associations Committee

The Member Associations Committee shall deal with relations between FIFAand its member associations as well as the member associations’ compliancewith the FIFA Statutes and draw up proposals for optimum cooperation. The
committee shall also monitor the evolution of the Statutes and regulations ofFIFA, the confederations and member associations.

V. Organisation

46

Players’ Status Committee

1.
The Players’ Status Committee shall set up and monitor compliance with theRegulations on the Status and Transfer of Players and determine the statusof players for various FIFA competitions. Its jurisdiction is governed by theRegulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
2.
It shall also be responsible for the work of the Dispute Resolution Chamberin accordance with the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players andthe Rules Governing the Procedures of the Players’ Status Committee and the
Dispute Resolution Chamber.

47

Referees Committee

The Referees Committee shall implement and interpret the Laws of the Gameand may propose amendments to the Laws of the Game to the Council. It
shall appoint the referees and assistant referees for matches in competitionsorganised by FIFA.

48

Medical Committee

The Medical Committee shall deal with all medical aspects of football,including the fight against doping.

45

46

VI. Annual member associations conference

49

Annual member associations conferenceFIFA shall organise at least once a year, at its own cost, a member associations
conference for the presidents of the member associations and/or their top
executives, in order to address issues of high relevance for the football world,such as, for instance, football development, integrity, social responsibility,
governance, human rights, racism, match-fixing, gender equality, protection ofclean athletes and youth, and security.

VII. Independent committees

50

Institutional independence

The independent committees as well as their individual members shall conduct
their activities and perform their duties entirely independently but always in
the interests of FIFA and in accordance with the Statutes and regulations of
FIFA.

51

Audit and Compliance Committee

1.
The Audit and Compliance Committee shall consist of at least three members
and not more than seven members, all of whom must not belong to any otherFIFA body. The committee members shall be knowledgeable and experienced
in financial and/or regulatory and legal matters and may not be involved inany decision affecting the operations of FIFA.
2.
Candidates for any position on the Audit and Compliance Committee as wellas the incumbent members of the committee shall fulfil the independence
criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations.
3.
The chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Audit andCompliance Committee shall be elected by the Congress. Their terms shalllast four years, beginning at the end of the Congress which has elected them.
The chairperson, deputy chairperson and other members of the Audit andCompliance Committee may only be relieved of their duties by the Congress.
4.
The chairperson, deputy chairperson and members of the Audit andCompliance Committee may serve a maximum of three terms (whether
consecutive or not).
5.
If the chairperson, deputy chairperson or a member of the Audit andCompliance Committee resigns or becomes permanently incapacitated withregard to performing his functions during his term of office, the Council shallappoint a replacement to serve until the next Congress, when a replacement
shall be elected by the Congress for the remainder of the initial term of office.

47

48

VII. Independent committees

6.
The Audit and Compliance Committee shall report to the Congress.
7.
The Audit and Compliance Committee shall advise, assist and oversee theCouncil in monitoring FIFA’s financial and compliance matters, and monitor
compliance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. It shall supervise thegeneral secretariat.
8.
The Audit and Compliance Committee shall ensure the completeness andreliability of the financial accounting and review the financial statements,
the consolidated financial statement and the external auditors’ report. The
committee shall furthermore monitor FIFA’s financial and compliance matters
including, in particular, the distribution and flow of development-related
funds, and suggest to the appropriate FIFA bodies any action that it deems
necessary as a result of such monitoring.
9.
The committee shall establish a Compensation Sub-Committee, consisting of
the chairperson of the Finance Committee, the chairperson of the Audit andCompliance Committee and a third member to be jointly appointed by thetwo chairpersons. This third member shall fulfil the independence criteria as
defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations.
10.
The Compensation Sub-Committee shall in particular define Compensation
Rules and determine the compensation of the FIFA President, the members of
the Council and the FIFA Secretary General. The individual compensation of
the FIFA President, the members of the Council and the FIFA Secretary Generalshall be made public.
11.
Details on the Audit and Compliance Committee’s and the Compensation SubCommittee’s responsibilities, their internal cooperation and other procedural
matters are stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations.

VII. Independent committees

52

Judicial bodies

1.
The judicial bodies of FIFA are:a) the Disciplinary Committee;b) the Ethics Committee;c) the Appeal Committee.
2.
The Disciplinary Committee and the Appeal Committee shall consist of achairperson, a deputy chairperson and a specific number of other members.
Both chambers of the Ethics Committee shall each consist of a chairperson, two
deputy chairpersons and a specific number of other members. The compositionof the judicial bodies should respect the fair distribution of positions and takeaccount of the member associations. When proposing chairpersons, deputy
chairpersons and other members of judicial bodies to the Congress, the Council
shall take into account appropriate female representation on the judicial
bodies.
3.
The judicial bodies are to be composed in such a way that the members,
together, have the knowledge, abilities and specialist experience that isnecessary for the due completion of their tasks. The chairpersons and deputy
chairpersons of the judicial bodies shall be qualified to practise law.
4.
The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the Disciplinary
Committee, of both chambers of the Ethics Committee and of the Appeal
Committee shall fulfil the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA
Governance Regulations.
5.
The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and other members of the judicial
bodies shall be elected by the Congress and shall not be members of any
other FIFA body. Their terms shall last four years, beginning at the end of theCongress which has elected them. The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons andother members of the judicial bodies may only be relieved of their duties by
the Congress.

49

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VII. Independent committees

6.
The chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the judicial bodies mayeach serve a maximum of three terms (whether consecutive or not).
7.
If a chairperson, a deputy chairperson or a member of a judicial body resigns or
becomes permanently incapacitated with regard to performing his functions
during his term of office, the Council shall appoint a replacement to serve until
the next Congress, when a replacement shall be elected by the Congress forthe remainder of the initial term of office.
8.
The investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee shall conduct the eligibility
checks in respect of candidates and incumbent members of the GovernanceCommittee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. It shallconduct the independence reviews in respect of candidates and incumbent
members of the Governance Committee who shall fulfil the independence
criteria in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations.
9.
The decision-making powers of certain committees remain unaffected.

53

Disciplinary Committee

1.
The function of the Disciplinary Committee shall be governed by the FIFA
Disciplinary Code. The committee shall pass decisions only when at least threemembers are present. In certain cases, the chairperson may rule alone.
2.
The Disciplinary Committee may pronounce the sanctions described in these
Statutes and the FIFA Disciplinary Code on member associations, clubs, officials,
players, intermediaries and licensed match agents.
3.
These provisions are subject to the disciplinary powers of the Congress andCouncil with regard to the suspension and expulsion of member associations.

VII. Independent committees

4.
The Council shall issue the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
5.
The Disciplinary Committee may propose amendments to its regulations to theCouncil.

54

Ethics Committee

1.
The function of the Ethics Committee shall be governed by the FIFA Code of
Ethics. It is divided into an investigatory chamber and an adjudicatory chamber.
The adjudicatory chamber shall pass decisions if at least three members arepresent. The chairperson may pass decisions alone in specific cases.
2.
The Ethics Committee may pronounce the sanctions described in these
Statutes, the FIFA Code of Ethics and the FIFA Disciplinary Code on officials,
players, intermediaries and licensed match agents.
3.
The Council shall issue the FIFA Code of Ethics.
4.
The Ethics Committee may propose amendments to its regulations to theCouncil.

55

Appeal Committee

1.
The function of the Appeal Committee shall be governed by the FIFA
Disciplinary Code and the FIFA Code of Ethics. The committee shall passdecisions only when at least three members are present. In certain cases, thechairperson may rule alone.

51

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VII. Independent committees

2.
The Appeal Committee is responsible for hearing appeals against decisions
from the Disciplinary Committee and the Ethics Committee that are notdeclared final by the relevant FIFA regulations.
3.
Decisions pronounced by the Appeal Committee shall be irrevocable andbinding on all the parties concerned. This provision is subject to appeals lodged
with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

VIII. Disciplinary measures

56

Disciplinary measures

The disciplinary measures are primarily:
1.
for natural and legal persons:a) a warning;b) a reprimand;c) a fine;d) the return of awards.
2.
for natural persons:a) a caution;b) an expulsion;c) a match suspension;d) a ban from the dressing rooms and/or the substitutes’ bench;e) a ban from entering a stadium;f) a ban on taking part in any football-related activity;g) social work.
3.
for legal persons:a) a transfer ban;b) playing a match without spectators;c) playing a match on neutral territory;d) a ban on playing in a particular stadium;e) annulment of the result of a match;f) expulsion;g) a forfeit;h) deduction of points;i) relegation to a lower division;j) replaying a match.

53

54

IX. Arbitration

57

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)1.
FIFA recognises the independent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with
headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland) to resolve disputes between FIFA,member associations, confederations, leagues, clubs, players, officials,
intermediaries and licensed match agents.
2.
The provisions of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration shall apply tothe proceedings. CAS shall primarily apply the various regulations of FIFA and,additionally, Swiss law.

58

Jurisdiction of CAS

1.
Appeals against final decisions passed by FIFA’s legal bodies and against
decisions passed by confederations, member associations or leagues shall belodged with CAS within 21 days of notification of the decision in question.
2.
Recourse may only be made to CAS after all other internal channels have been
exhausted.
3.
CAS, however, does not deal with appeals arising from:a) violations of the Laws of the Game;b) suspensions of up to four matches or up to three months (with the
exception of doping decisions);c) decisions against which an appeal to an independent and duly constituted
arbitration tribunal recognised under the rules of an association orconfederation may be made.

IX. Arbitration

4.
The appeal shall not have a suspensive effect. The appropriate FIFA body or,
alternatively, CAS may order the appeal to have a suspensive effect.
5.
FIFA is entitled to appeal to CAS against any internally final and binding
doping-related decision passed in particular by the confederations, member
associations or leagues in accordance with the provisions set out in the FIFA
Anti-Doping Regulations.
6.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is entitled to appeal to CAS against
any internally final and binding doping-related decision passed in particular byFIFA, the confederations, member associations or leagues in accordance withthe provisions set out in the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations.

59

Obligations relating to dispute resolution

1.
The confederations, member associations and leagues shall agree to recognise
CAS as an independent judicial authority and to ensure that their members,
affiliated players and officials comply with the decisions passed by CAS. The
same obligation shall apply to intermediaries and licensed match agents.
2.
Recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided
for in the FIFA regulations. Recourse to ordinary courts of law for all types ofprovisional measures is also prohibited.
3.
The associations shall insert a clause in their statutes or regulations, stipulatingthat it is prohibited to take disputes in the association or disputes affecting
leagues, members of leagues, clubs, members of clubs, players, officials andother association officials to ordinary courts of law, unless the FIFA regulations
or binding legal provisions specifically provide for or stipulate recourse toordinary courts of law. Instead of recourse to ordinary courts of law, provision
shall be made for arbitration. Such disputes shall be taken to an independentand duly constituted arbitration tribunal recognised under the rules of theassociation or confederation or to CAS.

55

56

IX. Arbitration

The associations shall also ensure that this stipulation is implemented in theassociation, if necessary by imposing a binding obligation on its members.
The associations shall impose sanctions on any party that fails to respect thisobligation and ensure that any appeal against such sanctions shall likewise be
strictly submitted to arbitration, and not to ordinary courts of law.

X. Submission to decisions of FIFA

60

Implementation of decisions

1.
The confederations, member associations and leagues shall agree to comply
fully with any decisions passed by the relevant FIFA bodies which, according tothese Statutes, are final and not subject to appeal.
2.
They shall take every precaution necessary to ensure that their own members,
players and officials comply with these decisions.
3.
The same obligation applies to intermediaries and licensed match agents.

61

Sanctions

Any violation of the foregoing provisions will be punished in compliance with
the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

57

58

XI. Finance

62

Financial period1.
The financial period of FIFA shall be four years and shall begin on each
1 January in the year following the final competition of the FIFA World Cup™.
2.
The revenue and expenditure of FIFA shall be managed so that they balanceout over the financial period. FIFA’s major duties in the future shall be
guaranteed through the creation of reserves.
3.
The Secretary General is responsible for drawing up the annual consolidated
accounts of FIFA with its subsidiaries as at 31 December.

63

Auditors

The auditors shall audit the accounts and annual financial statements,
including the consolidated financial statements, approved by the Council andpresent a report to the Congress in accordance with applicable Swiss civil law.
The auditors shall be appointed for a period of three years. Their mandates
may be renewed.

64

Membership subscriptions

1.
Membership subscriptions are due on 1 January of each year. The annual
subscription for new member associations for the year in question shall be paid
within 30 days of the close of the Congress at which they were admitted.
2.
The Congress shall fix the amount of the annual subscription every four years
on the recommendation of the Council. It shall be the same for every member
association and amount to no more than USD 1,000.

XI. Finance

65

Settlement

FIFA may debit any member association’s account to settle claims.

66

Levies1.
The confederations may demand a levy on international matches
played between two “A” representative teams, in accordance with theconfederations’ statutes and regulations.
2.
Member associations may demand their own levy on matches played intheir territory, independently of their confederation, in accordance with themember associations’ statutes and regulations.

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XII. Rights in competitions and events

67

Rights in competitions and events

1.
FIFA, its member associations and the confederations are the original ownersof all of the rights emanating from competitions and other events coming
under their respective jurisdiction, without any restrictions as to content, time,
place and law. These rights include, among others, every kind of financial
rights, audiovisual and radio recording, reproduction and broadcasting rights,
multimedia rights, marketing and promotional rights and incorporeal rights
such as emblems and rights arising under copyright law.
2.
The Council shall decide how and to what extent these rights are utilised anddraw up special regulations to this end. The Council shall decide alone whether
these rights shall be utilised exclusively, or jointly with a third party, or entirely
through a third party.

68

Authorisation to distribute

1.
FIFA, its member associations and the confederations are exclusively
responsible for authorising the distribution of image and sound and otherdata carriers of football matches and events coming under their respective
jurisdiction, without any restrictions as to content, time, place and technicaland legal aspects.
2.
The Council shall issue special regulations to this end.

XIII. Competitions

A. FIFA final competitions

69

Competition venues

1.
The Council shall decide the venue for the final competitions organised byFIFA, with the sole exception of the venue for the final competition of the FIFA
World Cup™, which shall be decided by the Congress in accordance with par. 2of this article.
2.
The decision on the venue for the final competition of the FIFA World Cup™
aims to achieve the objective of securing the best possible hosting conditionsin the host country and shall follow the procedure below:a) Based on specific regulations to be issued by the Council, the FIFA generalsecretariat shall establish a fair and transparent bidding procedure, inviting
all qualified member associations to submit a bid and defining in detail therequirements for the bidding and hosting as well as criteria for selecting
the host of the event.
b) Based on its best judgement, the FIFA general secretariat shall submit to
the Council a public report evaluating the compliance of all bids with thebidding procedure and the requirements for hosting the event, taking into
consideration the defined criteria for selecting the host.
c) The Council shall review the report and designate, based on its best
judgement and in an open ballot, up to three bids to be submitted to theCongress for a final decision. The result of each ballot shall be made public.
d) The Congress shall select the host venue from the bids designated by theCouncil. An absolute majority (more than 50%) of the member associations
present and eligible to vote is necessary in the first ballot. If an absolutemajority is not reached in the first ballot, then the bid with the lowest
number of votes in the first ballot is eliminated. In the second ballot, or
if fewer than three bids are presented to the Congress, a simple majority(more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is sufficient.

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XIII. Competitions

3.
A Congress may not award the hosting rights to more than one FIFA World
Cup™ at the same meeting.
4.
The right to host the event shall not be awarded to members of the same
confederation for two consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup™.

XIII. Competitions

B. International matches and competitions

70

International match calendar

The Council shall compile an international match calendar that shall be binding
upon the confederations, member associations and leagues, after conferringwith the confederations.

71

International matches and competitions

1.
The Council shall be responsible for issuing regulations for organisinginternational matches and competitions between representative teams andbetween leagues, club and/or scratch teams. No such match or competition
shall take place without the prior permission of FIFA, the confederations and/or the member associations in accordance with the Regulations Governing
International Matches.
2.
The Council may issue further provisions for such matches and competitions.
3.
The Council shall determine any criteria for authorising line-ups that are notcovered by the Regulations Governing International Matches.
4.
Notwithstanding the authorisation competences as set forth in the Regulations
Governing International Matches, FIFA may take the final decision on theauthorisation of any international match or competition.

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XIII. Competitions

72

Contacts

1.
Players and teams affiliated to member associations or provisional membersof the confederations may not play matches or make sporting contacts withplayers or teams that are not affiliated to member associations or provisional
members of the confederations without the approval of FIFA.
2.
Member associations and their clubs may not play on the territory of anothermember association without the latter’s approval.

73

Authorisation

Associations, leagues or clubs that are affiliated to a member association may
only join another member association or take part in competitions on thatmember association’s territory under exceptional circumstances. In each case,authorisation must be given by both member associations, the respective
confederation(s) and by FIFA.

XIV. Final provisions

74

Dissolution

If FIFA is disbanded, its assets shall be transferred to the supreme court of thecountry in which its headquarters are situated. It shall hold these assets in trust
as “bonus pater familiae” until FIFA is re-established.

75

Transitional provisions

1.
These Statutes were adopted at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich on
26 February 2016 and come into force sixty (60) days after the close of the said
Congress, subject to the following provisions:2.
Sixty (60) days after the close of the Congress, the Executive Committee will
be automatically transformed into the Council. The incumbent members of
the Executive Committee on such date will be the first serving members of
the Council; their mandates on the Council will expire upon completion of
their respective remaining terms of office on the Executive Committee. As aconsequence, for a transitional period which will last until the entire Council
has been elected by the member associations on the occasion of the congressesof the confederations concerned, the number of members of the Council will
be below the number set forth in art. 33 par. 4 of these Statutes.
3.
The term limits set forth in art. 33 par. 3, art. 51 par. 4 and art. 52 par. 6 of these
Statutes shall only apply to existing members of the existing committees asfrom the date of completion of their current mandates.
4.
The members of the Governance Committee shall be elected by the Congressin May 2016 (Mexico City).

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XIV. Final provisions

5.
With regard to the standing committees that will no longer exist under these
Statutes, the Council shall determine when they are to be disbanded. With
regard to the standing committees that shall continue to exist under these
Statutes but will be modified, the Council shall determine the details of therespective transitions. The Council shall also determine the point in time atwhich newly established standing committees shall take up their activities.
The members of the committees which continue to exist and/or which will be
modified shall conclude their terms of office for which they have already been
appointed.

Zurich, 26 February 2016

For FIFA

Acting President
Issa Hayatou

Acting Secretary GeneralMarkus Kattner

Regulations Governing theApplication of the Statutes

68

I. Application for admission to FIFA

1

Application for admission

The Council may lay down the procedure for admission in special regulations.

2

Confederations

1.
The Council shall decide whether the association fulfils the requirements foradmission to FIFA based on the confederation’s final report.
2.
If the requirements have been fulfilled, the next Congress shall decide whether
to admit the association or not.

II. Match agents and intermediaries

3

Match agents

1.
Match agents may be employed to arrange matches.
2.
Match agents hired to organise matches between teams from the same
confederation shall be recognised by the confederation concerned (licensed).
The confederation shall issue appropriate rules.
3.
Match agents hired to organise matches between teams from different
confederations shall hold a FIFA licence. The Council shall issue appropriate
rules.
4.
FIFA is only entitled to intervene to enforce the contracts concluded between
match agents and teams in the following cases:a) if the match or tournament at the source of the dispute involves teams
from different confederations;b) if the match agent in question holds a FIFA licence.

4

Intermediaries

Players and clubs are entitled to engage the services of intermediaries whenconcluding an employment contract and/or a transfer agreement. The Council
shall issue the Regulations on Working with Intermediaries.

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III. Eligibility to play for representative teams

5

Principle

1.
Any person holding a permanent nationality that is not dependent on
residence in a certain country is eligible to play for the representative teams of
the association of that country.
2.
With the exception of the conditions specified in article 8 below, any player
who has already participated in a match (either in full or in part) in an official
competition of any category or any type of football for one association
may not play an international match for a representative team of anotherassociation.

6

Nationality entitling players to represent more than one
association

1.
A player who, under the terms of art. 5, is eligible to represent more than
one association on account of his nationality, may play in an international
match for one of these associations only if, in addition to having the relevant
nationality, he fulfils at least one of the following conditions:a) He was born on the territory of the relevant association;b) His biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of therelevant association;c) His grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant
association;d) He has lived continuously on the territory of the relevant association for atleast two years.
2.
Regardless of par. 1 above, associations sharing a common nationality may
make an agreement under which item (d) of par. 1 of this article is deletedcompletely or amended to specify a longer time limit. Such agreements shallbe lodged with and approved by the Council.

III. Eligibility to play for representative teams

7

Acquisition of a new nationality

Any player who refers to art. 5 par. 1 to assume a new nationality and who
has not played international football in accordance with art. 5 par. 2 shall be
eligible to play for the new representative team only if he fulfils one of thefollowing conditions:a) He was born on the territory of the relevant association;b) His biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of therelevant association;c) His grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant
association;d) He has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18
on the territory of the relevant association.

8

Change of association

1.
If a player has more than one nationality, or if a player acquires a newnationality, or if a player is eligible to play for several representative teams
due to nationality, he may, only once, request to change the association forwhich he is eligible to play international matches to the association of anothercountry of which he holds nationality, subject to the following conditions:a) He has not played a match (either in full or in part) in an official
competition at “A” international level for his current association, and at
the time of his first full or partial appearance in an international matchin an official competition for his current association, he already had thenationality of the representative team for which he wishes to play.
b) He is not permitted to play for his new association in any competition inwhich he has already played for his previous association.

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III. Eligibility to play for representative teams

2.
If a player who has been fielded by his association in an international match inaccordance with art. 5 par. 2 permanently loses the nationality of that country
without his consent or against his will due to a decision by a government
authority, he may request permission to play for another association whose
nationality he already has or has acquired.
3.
Any player who has the right to change associations in accordance with par. 1
and 2 above shall submit a written, substantiated request to the FIFA generalsecretariat. The Players’ Status Committee shall decide on the request. The
procedure will be in accordance with the Rules Governing the Procedures of
the Players’ Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber. Once theplayer has filed his request, he is not eligible to play for any representative
team until his request has been processed.

IV. Sporting integrity

9

Principle of promotion and relegation

1.
A club’s entitlement to take part in a domestic league championship shalldepend principally on sporting merit. A club shall qualify for a domestic league
championship by remaining in a certain division or by being promoted orrelegated to another at the end of a season.
2.
In addition to qualification on sporting merit, a club’s participation in adomestic league championship may be subject to other criteria within thescope of the licensing procedure, whereby the emphasis is on sporting,infrastructural, administrative, legal and financial considerations. Licensing
decisions must be able to be examined by the member association’s body of
appeal.
3.
Altering the legal form or company structure of a club to facilitate its
qualification on sporting merit and/or its receipt of a licence for a domestic
league championship, to the detriment of the integrity of a sports competition,is prohibited. This includes, for example, changing the headquarters, changing
the name or transferring stakeholdings between different clubs. Prohibitive
decisions must be able to be examined by the member association’s body of
appeal.
4.
Each member association is responsible for deciding national issues, which
may not be delegated to the leagues. Each confederation is responsiblefor deciding issues involving more than one association concerning its own
territory. FIFA is responsible for deciding international issues involving morethan one confederation.

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74

V. Laws of the Game

10

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

1.
FIFA shall notify its member associations of any amendments and decisions
regarding the Laws of the Game within one month of the ordinary annual
meeting of The IFAB.
2.
The member associations shall enforce these amendments and decisions
no later than 1 July following The IFAB’s annual meeting. Exceptions may
be granted only to member associations whose football season has not
terminated by this date.
3.
Member associations may apply such amendments and decisions as soon as
they have been issued by The IFAB.

VI. Referees and assistant referees

11

Nomination

1.
Each referee and assistant referee appointed to an international match shallbelong to a neutral member association unless otherwise previously agreed by
the member associations concerned.
2.
The referee and assistant referees chosen to officiate at an international matchshall be included in the official FIFA List of International Referees and Assistant
Referees.

12

Report1.
The referee of every international “A” match shall send a report within
48 hours of the match both to FIFA and the member association on whose
territory the match was played.
2.
This report shall be made on the official form given to the referee by themember association under whose jurisdiction the match was played.
3.
The report shall record all the disciplinary measures taken and the reasons forthese measures.

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76

VI. Referees and assistant referees

13

Reimbursement

1.
Referees and assistant referees at international matches shall be entitled to:a) a daily allowance;b) reimbursement of travel expenses.
FIFA’s Expenses Regulations shall determine the amounts, travel category
and number of days due for reimbursement to which referees and assistantreferees are entitled.
2.
The amount owed to the referees and assistant referees shall be paid tothem in an easily convertible currency on the same day as the match by theorganising member association.
3.
The expenses for hotel and board incurred by referees and assistant referees ofinternational matches shall be borne by the organising member association.

VII. Final provisions

14

Objectives

1.
FIFA shall ensure that its objectives are achieved and secured solely by using
suitable material and human resources either of its own or by delegating tomember associations or confederations or by working with the confederationsin accordance with the FIFA Statutes.
2.
With reference to art. 2 (g) of the FIFA Statutes, FIFA shall take action
especially, but not exclusively, against irregular betting activities, doping andracism. These activities are prohibited and subject to sanctions.

15

Enforcement

The Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes were adopted at
the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich on 26 February 2016 and come into force
immediately after adoption.

Zurich, 26 February 2016

For FIFA

Acting President
Issa Hayatou

Acting Secretary GeneralMarkus Kattner

77

78

Standing Ordersof the Congress

80Standing Orders of the Congress

1

Participation in the Congress

1.
Each member association may be represented at the Congress by a maximumof three delegates, all of whom may take part in the debates.
2.
The names of the delegates, including the one with the right to vote, shall be
submitted to the general secretariat before the opening of the Congress. The
general secretariat enters the delegates mentioned on to a list (numbered 1 to
3). The delegate with the right to vote is entered as number 1. If the delegatewith the right to vote leaves the Congress during the debates, the delegate
entered as number 2 on the member association’s delegation list is entitledto vote. If this delegate is also absent, the delegate entered as number 3 isentitled to vote.
3.
FIFA shall bear the costs of travel and accommodation for three delegates ofeach member association taking part in the Congress. The Council shall issue
appropriate directives in this connection.

2

Chair

1.
The President shall chair the Congress. If the President is unable to attend,
the longest-serving vice-president available shall deputise. If none of thevice-presidents is present, the Congress shall elect a member of the Council aschairperson.
2.
The chair shall ensure that the Congress is conducted in strict compliance withthese Standing Orders, open and close the Congress and debates, and, unlessthe Congress decides otherwise, grant delegates permission to speak andconduct all discussions.

Standing Orders of the Congress

3.
The chair shall be responsible for maintaining order during debates. He may
take the following action against any Congress participant who disturbs thedebates:a) a call to order;b) a reprimand;c) exclusion from one or more sessions.
4.
If an appeal is made against such action, the Congress shall decide immediately
without debate.

3

Scrutineers

At the beginning of the first session, the Congress shall appoint an adequate
number of scrutineers to count the votes and to assist the Secretary General in
distributing and counting voting papers issued for the elections. The Council
may decide to use electronic equipment to determine the results of a vote.

4Interpreters

Official interpreters shall be appointed to translate into the official languagesof the Congress. They shall be appointed by the Secretary General.

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82

Standing Orders of the Congress

5

Debates1.
Debates on each item on the agenda shall be preceded by a short report:a) by the chair or a member of the Council designated for this purpose;b) by a representative of the committee designated by the Council to give areport;c) by a delegate from the member association that requested the item be
included in the agenda.
2.
The chair then opens the debate.

6

Speakers

1.
Permission to speak is granted in the order in which it is requested. A speaker
may not begin speaking until he has obtained permission to do so. Speakers
shall address the Congress from the rostrum intended for this purpose.
2.
A speaker may not speak for a second time on the same item until all otherdelegates who have requested permission to speak have spoken.

Standing Orders of the Congress

7

Proposals

1.
All proposals shall be submitted in writing. Proposals which are not relevant tothe subject under discussion shall not be admitted to the debate.
2.
Any amendment shall be drawn up in writing and passed to the chair before
being put to the debate.

8

Procedural motions and closing of debates

1.
If a procedural motion is made, discussion on the main question shall besuspended until a vote has been taken on the motion.
2.
If a motion is made to close the discussion, it shall immediately be put to thevote without debate. If the motion is approved, permission to speak shall only
be granted to those member associations who have asked to speak before thevote was taken.
3.
The chair shall close the discussion unless the Congress decides otherwise by asimple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast.

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84

Standing Orders of the Congress

9

Votes

1.
Voting by secret ballot is prohibited.
2.
Before each vote, the chair, or the person designated by him, shall read thetext of the proposal aloud and explain the voting procedure (quorum) to theCongress. If an objection is raised, the Congress shall decide immediately.
3.
Votes may be taken by roll call if requested by at least 15 of the member
associations present and eligible to vote.
4.
No-one is compelled to vote.
5.
As a rule, votes are taken by a show of hands (voting cards) or by the use ofelectronic equipment.
6.
Proposals shall be put to the vote in the order in which they are submitted.
If there are more than two main proposals, they shall be put to the vote insuccession and the delegates may not vote for more than one of the proposals.
7.
Alterations to amendments shall be put to the vote before the amendments
proper, and amendments before the main proposal.
8.
Proposals without a vote against are regarded as having been passed.
9.
The chair shall check the result of the vote and announce it to the Congress.
10.
No-one is permitted to speak during the vote and until after the result has
been announced.

Standing Orders of the Congress

10

Elections1.
Elections shall be carried out by secret ballot. They shall either be conductedwith ballot papers or by using televoters, electronic vote counters thatguarantee the secrecy of the election. Elections of the President shall not
be carried out by using televoters. The Secretary General, assisted by the
scrutineers, shall conduct the distribution and counting of the ballot papers or
the distribution and evaluation of the televoters.
2.
The number of ballot papers that have been distributed shall be announced by
the chair before the count.
3.
If the number of ballot papers returned is equal to or fewer than the numberof ballot papers distributed, the election shall be declared valid. If the number
returned exceeds that of the ballot papers distributed, the vote shall bedeclared null and void and another vote shall be taken immediately.
4.
The chair shall announce the result of each ballot.
5.
The Secretary General shall put the ballot papers that have been collected andcounted into envelopes intended for this purpose and seal them immediately.
The general secretariat shall keep these envelopes and destroy them 100 days
after the end of the Congress.

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Standing Orders of the Congress

11

Calculation of majorities

1.
The simple majority (more than 50%) shall be calculated for elections, votes
and other decisions on the basis of the number of valid ballot papers collectedor the number of valid votes cast electronically. Blank ballot papers, invalid
votes or electronic votes manipulated in any other way as well as abstentions
shall be disregarded when calculating the simple majority.
2.
The absolute majority (more than 50%) shall be calculated on the basis of thenumber of member associations present and eligible to vote.
3.
If during an election a member association casts two or more votes in supportof one candidate on one ballot paper or through an electronic vote counter inan election round, or if during a vote a member association casts two or more
votes for the same matter, only the last vote cast shall be considered valid andcounted.

12

Enforcement

These Standing Orders of the Congress were adopted by the Extraordinary
Congress in Zurich on 26 February 2016 and come into force immediately after
adoption.

Zurich, 26 February 2016

For FIFA

Acting President
Issa Hayatou

Acting Secretary GeneralMarkus Kattner

03.16 bru 6500 MAV/wer/pma

Fédération Internationale de Football Association