Photo Fabrice Coffrini - AFP

04.01.2010 - Mark Goddard, General Manager of TMS FIFA : « the Transfer Matching System (TMS) is not merely a “concept” but an effective programme »

1 October 2010 is the day on which the global transfer system has been revolutionized, with the launching of the new electronic FIFA regulating of international football transfer system. The FIFA Transfer Matching System GmbH (FIFA TMS), which was founded as a subsidiary of FIFA, has been in charge of the original design of TMS and is now in charge of the administration of the system. Mark Goddard is the General Manager of FIFA TMS and has been leading its global activity since its creation in 1 January 2008. He has developed a focus in sports since 2000 and has lead projects at the Sydney Olympics (2000) two FIFA World Cups (2002 and 2006), in addition to more than 15 additional FIFA competitions over an 8 year span. For us, he sheds light on the main aspects of this system.

- Following two years of trials and training, the regulating of international football transfer system, named Transfer Matching System (TMS), has come into effect on Friday 1 October. Can you explain us, in few words, the main features of this system and tell us to which type of transfer does it apply?

As of 1 October 2010, the Transfer Matching System must be used for any international transfer of professional players within the scope of eleven-a-side football. From that day, only electronic ITC'S (International Transfer Certificates) will be accepted for these transfers. In the past, transfers were made by fax between the associations of the clubs involved. The new system on the internet provides the clubs with the kind of modern electronic technology required to keep pace with the volume of transfers in today's market. The system also enables the bank transfers to be declared between the clubs involved.

- What are the main objectives aimed by FIFA with the TMS?

The objective of TMS is, on the one hand, to make sure that football authorities have more details available to them on each and every international transfer, and on the other hand, to increase the transparency of individual transactions, in turn increasing the credibility of the entire transfer system. The system also protects minors, as the age of the player to be transferred has to be entered. Overall, more than 30 details on each transfer have to be entered, such as information on the player, club details, all payments including the amount, timing and bank details plus solidarity payments to previous clubs. These details must also be backed up by documentary evidence uploaded copies of the player's identification documents, his new employment contract and the transfer contract between his former and future club.

- Who can have access to the information entered into the TMS?

A large part of the information in TMS is highly confidential and access to it is only permitted for the members of FIFA'S footballing “pyramid” i.e. to clubs, associations, confederations and, of course, FIFA itself. The TMS has a series of security features which ensure clubs, associations and confederations can only view transfers they are responsible for. For example, clubs can only view their own transfer details, while associations can view the transfers of all their affiliated clubs.

- Don't you fear some new fraudulent maneuvers aimed to avoid the TMS constraints (i.e. collusions between clubs, later payment of commission to a third party)?

We certainly do not expect the system itself to solve all the issues at hand. As a result we have formed an Integrity and Compliance Department whose sole aim is to ensure that the system is being used correctly and that the information and behaviour of the clubs and associations is in accordance with the standards necessary for an effective and efficient international transfer market. Collusion, illicit payment behaviour and involvement of third parties are all part of a much wider set of issues that are addressed through a multi-tiered approach to compliance on a global scale. Monitoring procedures and investigative actions are already being implemented to ensure that FIFA'S original objectives can be achieved and that TMS does not cause more problems than it solves.

- What role will the FIFA legal department play?

FIFA TMS works extremely closely with two of FIFA’s legal departments: firstly, Players Status and Governance and secondly, Disciplinary and Governance.

The Player Status and Governance Department (PSGD) were pivotal in the original design of TMS and a large number of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (e.g. adherence to registration periods) are encoded into the system. The lawyers from PSGD are also active users of the system: if a given transfer is found to contravene certain regulations it will be flagged as a “validation exception” in TMS. The transfer may then only proceed following the active intervention of the PSGD who, under exceptional circumstance are able to override the exception and allow the transfer to proceed. As active users of TMS, we will continue to spend a great deal of time collaborating and coordinating our work and activities with the FIFA Players Status and Governance Department.

Moving forward FIFA TMS is already joining forces with the FIFA Disciplinary and Governance Department in order to develop and deliver a streamlined and effective global integrity and compliance program: it is a huge task but one that is now very feasible given the TMS global footprint and the recently revised Regulations on the Transfer and Status of Players. An efficient solution is now in place, one that will ensure that the system is not merely a “concept” but an effective programme that requires clubs and associations to take clear actions and provide information subject to rigorous checks and oversight in order to ensure the integrity of the transfer market.

- How does FIFA plan to assist those who will have to use the TMS?

The FIFA Transfer Matching System GmbH was founded as a subsidiary of FIFA in November 2007 and since early 2008, the FIFA TMS Client Services department have been training and supporting increasing numbers of associations and clubs from around the world.

As of today, 208 associations and over 4'000 clubs are participating in the programme with over 800 more clubs scheduled to join in the upcoming months. The FIFA TMS Client Services department are in constant contact with associations and clubs all over the world offering continuous training as well as email and telephone support for all queries and questions on how to use the system as efficiently and effectively as possible.

During the last main registration period (June - Aug. 2010) over 2,400 calls were handled through the TMS helpdesk. It is important to note that this registration period was before the introduction of TMS into the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players on October 1st 201 0. Following that important milestone, the needs of the participating associations and clubs are expected to grow. As a result of the professional development of services the TMS Client Services Department will be implementing a professional helpdesk software In order to ensure the transfer market is correctly supported.

As part of this support, FIFA TMS Client Services staff are available on a 24 by 7 basis during the final two weeks of each main registration period in order to support the high levels of transfer activity taking place in most associations at these times ♦

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