Redefining just cause for contract termination in FIFA's RSTP: striking a fair balance between player rights and club...

This article examines the concept of "just cause" for the unilateral termination of professional football employment contracts under FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP). It pays particular attention to the changes introduced by FIFA's 2025 Interim Regulatory Framework. The RSTP aims to protect contractual stability while safeguarding the rights of both players and clubs. However, the meaning and application of "just cause" continue to raise important legal questions.

The article uses a doctrinal legal approach. It examines the RSTP, the 2025 Interim Regulatory Framework, the FIFA Commentary on the RSTP, decisions of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC), and awards of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). It also draws on academic literature and selected comparative sports law studies to examine the development of FIFA's legal framework.

The study shows that the 2025 Interim Regulatory Framework provides useful clarification, especially on the definition of just cause, the burden of proof, and the procedures before the Football Tribunal. Despite these changes, the application of the rules still depends largely on the assessment of each individual case. Important uncertainties remain regarding abusive conduct, financial default, sporting just cause, and the balance between contractual stability and the employment rights of players. The analysis also identifies differences in the approach taken by the FIFA DRC and CAS, which reduce legal certainty and predictability.

The article concludes that the 2025 reforms are a positive step towards greater legal clarity, but they do not resolve all the weaknesses of the current system. The concept of just cause would benefit from a clearer definition and more objective criteria for its application. Greater consistency in the decisions of FIFA and CAS would also improve legal certainty and strengthen the balance between contractual stability and the legitimate interests of players and clubs. Finally, the article provides one of the first detailed legal analyses of the 2025 Interim Regulatory Framework and offers recommendations to improve the regulation of professional football employment contracts.