Registration & bridge transfers

What to focus on while you read

Player registration and the bridge-transfer presumption

Article 5 covers electronic registration and FIFA ID requirements; Article 5bis prohibits bridge transfers and creates a 16-week consecutive-transfer presumption that can be rebutted (including by technical registration).

Key points

• Players must be electronically registered with a FIFA ID to be eligible for organised football (with limited trial/friendly exceptions).
• No club or player shall be involved in a bridge transfer.
• Unless established to the contrary, two consecutive transfers of the same player within 16 weeks create a presumption that the parties participated in a bridge transfer.
• A player may need registration for mere technical reasons to secure transparency in consecutive transactions — a key rebuttal path after loans.
• The FIFA Disciplinary Committee may sanction parties involved in a bridge transfer.

Exam traps

• Treating any permanent move after a loan as an irrebuttable bridge transfer.
• Inventing a financial- or tax-purpose safe harbour that automatically legalises 16-week consecutive transfers.
• Assuming lack of official matches alone decides the bridge-transfer analysis.

Unit outline

1. Article 5: Registration

2. Article 5bis: Bridge transfers