Board calls for 'more clearly defined' distinction after Crusaders successfully appeal player compensation case
The Irish FA’s Appeals Board has recommended a “more clearly defined” distinction between amateur and professional when it comes to determining training compensation due to clubs after Crusaders were successful in a recent challenge.
Domestic Training and Development Compensation Regulations were introduced by the Irish FA in 2020 and relates to compensation owed for transfers involving players aged between 12 and 21.
It means clubs who contributed to the development of players throughout their progression are compensated for that work.
Crusaders recently appealed a decision by the Irish FA’s ‘Training and Development sub-committee’ over the amount owed to Carrick Rangers for the transfer of a player defined as ‘Player X’.
The amount of money owed varies depending on seasons played as an amateur or professional – £275 per season while registered as amateur and £1,500 per season as a professional.
While Crusaders believed their new player had played four seasons as an amateur and three as a professional before joining, the ‘Training and Development sub-committee’ used the following to determine seven seasons as a professional: “Transfers in the event of a subsequent transfer of the professional player before the end of the calendar year of the player’s 23rd birthday (where the player is registered as a professional with the new club) compensation is only due to the player’s former club.
"In such cases when compensation is due it shall be payable at a rate of £1500 per full season.”
That meant Crusaders were charged £10,500, but after their successful appeal, the North Belfast club’s fee has been reduced to £5,600.
After introduction of the Domestic Training and Development Compensation Regulations, it was agreed they’d be reviewed every three years – it will happen once again before next season.
Rachel Best KC, Chair of Appeals Committee, stated the importance of further defining a clear difference between amateur and professional to ensure “fairness and equity”.
The appeal document read: “The Board notes that the Domestic Training and Development Compensation Regulations are due to be reviewed ahead of the commencement of Season 2026/27 and would recommend that the distinction between seasons as an Amateur and seasons as a Professional are more clearly defined to ensure fairness and equity in situations such as this.”