What is the protected period in a football contract?
The protected period is the first stretch of a professional football contract, during which breaking it brings sporting sanctions as well as compensation. Under FIFA's rules it lasts four seasons or years for a player who signs before 23, three from 23 to 27, two from 28 to 31, and one from 32.
On this page
How long it lasts
| Age when the contract is signed | Protected period, whichever comes first |
|---|---|
| Under 23 | Four entire seasons or four years |
| 23 to 27 | Three entire seasons or three years |
| 28 to 31 | Two entire seasons or two years |
| 32 and over | One entire season or one year |
The protected period starts again when a renewal extends the length of the previous contract (FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, definitions).
Why it matters
Breaking a contract without just cause always means compensation. Inside the protected period it also means sporting sanctions: a four month playing ban for a player, and fines or registration bans for a club (article 17).
What it means for short contracts
Below the top tier, many contracts last a year or two, so the whole contract often falls inside the protected period. A player thinking of leaving early should take advice first.
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Questions people also ask
Does the protected period apply to clubs too?
Yes. A club that breaks a contract in the protected period faces sanctions, from a warning and a fine up to bans on registering new players for repeat breaches.
Is a ban served in the summer break?
No. A player's ban is suspended between the last official match of one season and the first of the next, with limited exceptions.