The Irish Football Association has issued guidance to clubs involved in the men’s professional game here ahead of the summer transfer window closing.
It has advised clubs that the current registration period for the men’s professional game in Northern Ireland will close at midnight on Friday 30 August.
The association says all national registrations and transfers must be confirmed on the Comet system by that time/date.
It has also issued the following information to assist with some common questions relating to the summer transfer window closing:
What if there is a dispute between clubs regarding a registration?
As per Article 11 of the Professional Game Players Registration Regulations:
In the event of any transfer dispute being officially reported to the Association less than seven days before the expiry of a registration period, the Player Status Committee shall have discretionary powers on a case-by-case basis to approve such registration.
Will players registered on ‘deadline day’ be available for selection on Saturday 31 August?
NIFL Player Registration Regulations state:
For Professional Players - “standard professional contracts must be inputted and confirmed not later than 12 noon on the day preceding any match”.
For Amateur Players - “such registrations must be inputted and confirmed not later than 12 noon on the day preceding any match”.
Should a club be participating in any other competition on 31 August 2024, they should refer to that specific competition’s rules to check a player’s eligibility for selection.
Does the deadline apply to loaning of players?
Yes, the deadline for loans is also on 30 August at midnight.
Please note that:
A loan agreement may be concluded for a minimum duration of the time between two registration periods and a maximum duration of one year. Any clause referring to a longer duration of the loan shall not be recognised.
A player’s loan period must not exceed the period of the player’s registration with his parent club.
It is the player’s ‘parent club’ who is responsible for inputting and uploading any information/documentation regarding the loan of a player on to Comet.
Can a registration or transfer requiring International Transfer Clearance (ITC) be concluded after the midnight deadline?
If an ITC has been requested on TMS by the club by the midnight deadline, the registration or transfer can still be confirmed on Comet after the deadline, once the ITC has been delivered to the Irish FA. The player will not be eligible for selection until their registration is confirmed on Comet following receipt of the ITC.
What if a player requires a work permit?
If a player requires a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), an application will be required to be made under the Irish FA – Governing Body Endorsement Requirements for Men’s Football as below:
https://www.irishfa.com/media/54828/ifa-mens-gbe-criteria-2024-25-final.pdf
Please note that any GBE and/or ITC must be requested on TMS by the club by the midnight deadline on 30 August.
Will Irish FA staff be available on Friday 30 August to provide advice?
If a club has any issues or questions regarding player registration, the Player Status Department will be in the office and available to be contacted either by phone or email all day and up until the midnight deadline.
