Release Letters ✉️

Very often players contact me asking for assistance in obtaining release letters from their previous clubs. Sometimes this process is simple and pain-free, and sometimes it’s unnecessarily long and tedious. I always question new clubs on why a release letter is required if the player’s contract has been honoured and has reached its natural end 🤷🏽‍♀️. Nonetheless, players and clubs, especially those operating in the lower leagues, feel comfortable having this letter.

📍So, what is a release letter? ⚽️

👉🏽 A release letter in football is a written declaration indicating the termination or expiration of a player’s contract and granting them the freedom to sign for a different team.

What information would you typically find in a release letter? 👇🏾

🟢 The names of the parties – club and player
🟢 The date that the contract will come (or came) to an end if it is in the future.
🟢 Any compensation payments that will be (or have been) settled prior to the termination date.
🟢 A statement that neither party owes the other any dues.
🟢 Signatures of the parties.

📍When may a release letter be essential?

👉🏽 Upon a mutually agreed termination of the contract (prior to its natural end date), it is imperative for both parties to have a thorough understanding of the terms and conditions under which they are parting ways.

📍What issues have players faced obtaining release letters.

When players utilise Art. 14bis to terminate their contracts, their clubs tend to unjustly refuse the issuance of a release letter, hindering the players’ search for new opportunities. This is frustrating as the club owes the player, which is the reason for their desire to terminate, yet the club chooses to penalise them further. ☹️.

This issue is something I have come across on many occasions. A lot of clubs still do not understand Art. 14bis, and “engaging” clubs are sometimes hesitant to accept players who may have unresolved issues with their former clubs.

I have consistently advised players who have triggered art. 14bis and do not have a release letter, to bring the default notice letter they served to their previous club to the new club. This serves as proof that they have followed the correct FIFA protocol and this can be uploaded onto TMS. However, some still engaging clubs still insist on a release letter to demonstrate the player’s freedom from all obligations. In such cases, the player is left in a state of uncertainty, and unable to progress their careers.

At the moment, I am awaiting responses from two clubs – one in Egypt and the other in Latvia. The players have both asked for release letters, however, the clubs are unwilling to comply.

If you are an agent or sports lawyer and have come across this issue of obtaining a release letter, please share so we can continue to learn 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽


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One Response

  1. As player’s lawyer, it is frustrating but being on the other side rendering advisory to engaging clubs, I understand it is mostly due diligence/risk management and sometimes a measure taken for abundance of caution.

    In complex, feisty case I have had to ‘enlighten’ clubs, especially in the Nigeria’s elite League, about the implications of continuing to refuse to release those players. I’d usually specifically state that a club (I never mention the name of the engaging club) needs the letter. I also remind that the player is an ex-employee entitled to a letter of release and/or recommendation from his/her previous employer. And finally warn about the arising consequences. Works most times.

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