webeeui-hero-2-colTransfers & Moves
Transfers & Moves: Defend Your Rights Against Refusals and Disputes
Is your international transfer blocked? Has your transfer been refused? Are clubs disputing compensation?
Transfer and transfer disputes raise important issues for athletes: compliance with regulatory deadlines, obtaining the international transfer certificate, disputing compensation between clubs, eligibility, transfer periods.
These procedures are subject to strict rules, often with tight deadlines, and involve sports authorities with distinct powers.
Since 1973, Cabinet Bertrand has been defending athletes, coaches, and amateur clubs in their transfer and transfer disputes.
Our knowledge of FIFA regulations, procedures before the Dispute Resolution Chamber and the CAS, as well as the transfer rules of French federations, allows us to support you at every stage to resolve your situation or assert your rights.
webeeui-left-split-toggleOur Services by Profile Type
Professional and amateur players
Who do we represent?
Athletes and coaches facing unpaid debts
- Professional players in all disciplines (soccer, basketball, rugby, handball, volleyball, hockey, etc.)
- Amateur players and athletes in training
- Individual athletes (Olympic sports, tennis, boxing, cycling, etc.)
- Foreign players wishing to play in France
- French players wishing to play abroad
Our support
- ✅ Facilitating international transfers: Liaising with federations to obtain FIFA clearance
- ✅ Challenging transfer refusals: Appeals before federal commissions and the CNOSF
- ✅ Defense in cases of disputed eligibility: Representation before the competent authorities
- ✅ Disputes over compensation: Defending your interests if you are caught up in a conflict between clubs
- ✅ Change of sporting nationality: Support with FIFA, FIBA, and other international federation procedures
- ✅ Appeals before the CAS: Appeals against decisions made by FIFA or international federations
My former club refuses to issue the CIT. What can I do?
If your former club is blocking your international transfer by refusing to issue the International Transfer Certificate, there are several remedies available. First, you should check whether the refusal is based on a legitimate reason (contractual debt, ongoing dispute). If the block is abusive, we can refer the matter to the FIFA Players' Status Committee to obtain a provisional transfer (provisional ITC) or a decision ordering the issuance of the certificate.
Can I play if my transfer has not yet been validated?
It is strongly advised not to participate in an official competition without your transfer being definitively validated. In the event of irregular participation, your new club risks a forfeit, points deducted, or even disciplinary sanctions. We systematically verify the regularity of your situation before any participation.
Coaches and technical staff
Who do we represent?
- Head coaches and assistant coaches (all sports, all levels)
- Physical and mental trainers
- Technical staff of professional and amateur clubs
- Coaches wishing to work abroad
Our support
- ✅ International coach transfers: Proceedings before the FIFA Players' Status Committee (international coach disputes)
- ✅ Domestic transfers: Challenging transfer refusals by federations
- ✅ Disputes related to departure: Defense if your former club disputes the terms of your departure
- ✅ Professional qualifications: Recognition of diplomas and equivalencies to practice abroad
Do FIFA transfer rules apply to coaches?
Yes, the FIFA Players' Status Committee is also competent to settle international disputes between clubs and coaches relating to work. If you are a coach and are involved in a dispute with a foreign club or wish to contest an international decision, we can represent you before FIFA and on appeal before the CAS.
Amateur clubs and sports associations
Who do we represent?
- Amateur clubs in all sports (soccer, rugby, basketball, handball, etc.)
- Sports associations under the 1901 law
- Regional, departmental, and national amateur clubs
Our support
- ✅ Claiming training compensation: Defending your rights when a player you have trained is transferred
- ✅ Contesting compensation claims: Defending you if a club claims disputed compensation from you
- ✅ Transfer disputes: Support in proceedings before federal commissions
- ✅ Appeals against federal decisions: CNOSF conciliation and administrative appeals
- ✅ Defense in the event of sanctions: Representation if your club is sanctioned for a qualification irregularity
How do we claim training compensation for a player we have trained?
When a player you have trained signs their first professional contract or is transferred, depending on their age, you may be entitled to training compensation. The rules vary depending on the federation and whether the transfer is national or international. We check your rights, calculate the potential amount, and file the claim with the relevant authority (national federation or FIFA).
An opponent is contesting the eligibility of one of our players. What are the risks?
If an opponent disputes the eligibility of one of your players after a match, the risks depend on the nature of the irregularity. In the event of proven irregular participation, penalties can range from forfeiting the match to losing points or even disciplinary sanctions. We immediately analyze the situation and represent you before the relevant committee to defend your interests.
International disputes (including amateur and professional clubs)
Special context
For international disputes before FIFA or the CAS, we represent amateur and professional clubs in their disputes with other foreign clubs.
Who do we represent?
- French clubs (amateur and professional) in dispute with a foreign club
- Foreign clubs in dispute with a French club
- Any party to an international transfer dispute
Our support
- ✅ FIFA inter-club disputes: Representation before the Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC)
- ✅ Solidarity mechanism: Claims or disputes regarding the 5% due to training clubs
- ✅ International training compensation: Calculation, claim, and defense
- ✅ Appeal before the CAS: Appeals against FIFA decisions
What is the difference between the DRC and the Players' Status Committee?
The Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) deals with international contractual disputes between clubs and players, as well as disputes relating to training compensation and the solidarity mechanism between clubs. The Players' Status Committee (PSC) deals with issues relating to the status of players (transfers of minors, sporting nationality) and international disputes involving coaches. We determine the competent authority and represent you before the appropriate committee.
webeeui-three-tiersBodies and courts before which we act
Cabinet Bertrand represents you before all competent authorities in matters of transfers and transfers, from the local to the international level.
🇫🇷 French sports authorities
National federations
- Legal and regulatory commissions (FFF, FFR, FFBB, FFHB, etc.)
- Transfer committees
- Federal appeals committees
Professional leagues
- Legal commissions (LFP, LNR, LNB, LNH)
- Appeals committees
National Conciliation
- CNOSF conciliation service (mandatory prerequisite)
🌍 International sports bodies
FIFA (Football Tribunal)
- Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC)
- Player Status Committee (PSC)
- Disciplinary Committee
CAS / CAS Lausanne
- Appeal against FIFA decisions
- Appeals against decisions by international federations
- Ordinary and emergency procedures
Other federations
- FIBA and BAT (Basketball)
- World Rugby
- International Olympic Federations
webeeui-nested-featuresWhy choose Bertrand Law Firm?
Every sports-related issue requires specific legal expertise. Identify the situation that corresponds to your immediate needs below. Our lawyers, who are experts in sports law, will provide you with a tailor-made approach, whether your case is urgent or requires a long-term strategy.
OUR DIFFERENTIATING EXPERTISE
What sets us apart
- ✅ 52 years of exclusive expertise in sports law (since 1973)
- ✅ More than 8,000 cases handled in sports law
- ✅ Double Gold Trophy at the Law Summit (2024 & 2025)
- ✅ 4 Gold Medals at the Palmarès du Droit (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)
- ✅ Expertise in FIFA and CAS procedures: regular appearances before these bodies
- ✅ Responsiveness: tailored support to meet the strict deadlines of transfer procedures
OUR APPROACH
When it comes to transfers and transfers, deadlines are often crucial. A transfer window that is closing, an appeal deadline that is expiring, a season that is starting without you: every day counts.
We immediately analyze your situation: nature of the blockage, applicable deadlines, competent authorities, chances of success. We identify the most effective strategy to resolve your situation as quickly as possible.
Our goal: to enable you to play for the club of your choice if it is possible to remove the administrative, regulatory, or legal obstacles blocking your transfer or move.
webeeui-faqFAQ: Transfers & Relocations
My international transfer has been blocked. What are my options?
There are several reasons why an international transfer may be blocked: refusal by the former club to issue the ITC, ongoing contractual dispute, alleged salary debt, disagreement over transfer fees. Depending on the reason for the block, we can refer the matter to the FIFA Players' Status Committee to obtain a provisional ITC, or to the Dispute Resolution Chamber to settle the underlying dispute. We analyze your situation and determine the most effective strategy.
What is training compensation and how is it calculated?
Training compensation compensates clubs that have invested in a player's training. It is payable when a player signs his first professional contract or is transferred before the age of 23. The calculation depends on the category of the training club, the training costs recognized by the relevant federation, and the number of years spent at the club. The rules differ depending on whether it is a domestic transfer (federal regulations) or an international transfer (FIFA regulations). We verify the applicable amounts and defend your rights, whether you are the claimant club or the requested club.
What is the FIFA solidarity mechanism and how does it work?
The FIFA solidarity mechanism stipulates that for each international transfer of a professional player, 5% of the transfer fee is distributed to the clubs that participated in his training between the ages of 12 and 23. This sum is distributed in proportion to the time spent at each training club. The new club must pay these amounts via the relevant federation. We assist training clubs in claiming their rights and the clubs requested to pay in verifying the amounts claimed.
What is FIFA clearance (CIT)?
The International Transfer Certificate (CIT), also known as "clearance," is a mandatory document for any international player transfer. It is issued by the federation of the country the player is leaving, at the request of the federation of the host country. This certificate attests that the player is free of any commitments or that the conditions of his departure are in order. Without an ITC, the player cannot be registered by their new club and therefore cannot play in official competitions.
Can I change my sporting nationality?
Yes, under certain strict conditions set by each international federation. For soccer (FIFA), the conditions include: not having played an official "A" match for the former federation, possessing the nationality of the new country, and complying with a residency requirement. Exceptions exist for players who have only played in youth teams. We analyze your situation in light of the applicable regulations and assist you with the eligibility change procedure.
Does the Diarra ruling change the transfer rules?
The European Court of Justice ruling of October 4, 2024 in the Diarra case found that certain rules of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) were contrary to the free movement of workers and competition law. This ruling will inevitably have consequences for the transfer system in European professional football. We are closely monitoring developments in FIFA regulations following this decision and are adapting our advice accordingly.
How much does a lawyer cost for a transfer dispute?
Fees depend on the complexity of the case, the authorities involved, and the expected duration of the proceedings. We offer a free 15-minute initial consultation to assess your situation. On this basis, we will provide a quote specifying our fees, which may take the form of a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a combination of the two. Proceedings before FIFA are free of charge in terms of court fees, but proceedings before the CAS involve registry and arbitration fees.
Do you represent professional federations or leagues?
Cabinet Bertrand mainly defends athletes, coaches, amateur clubs, and athletes' unions. We only represent professional clubs in international disputes with foreign clubs (FIFA and CAS proceedings).