INTERNATIONAL CARDING
PLAYER CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
In accordance with FIFA RSTP, the clearance process is required when a player over the age of 10 is attempting to register with an affiliated club/league in the United States, regardless of that player's soccer ability. It is the responsibility of the registering club to verify a player’s registration history in order to ascertain whether a clearance may be required. A determination is made by the registering club personnel on which type of clearance the player requires based on the below listed criteria:
CLEARANCE PROCESS
The steps for a club to request a clearance for a registered player which meets one of the above stated clearance criteria is outlined below:.1. The registering club must submit the appropriate clearance form along with the required documents to the Player Status Department for review and processing.a. Clubs are responsible to ensure the player is cleared and eligible to activate for affiliated competitionb. A player(s) activation prior to obtaining the clearance will be considered ineligible.c. The only permitted participation for a player awaiting clearance arei. Pre-season scrimmagesii. Team trainingsiii. Non-affiliated organized soccer matches/leagues.2. The home association, U.S. Soccer, is responsible for requesting the clearance from the appropriate parties on behalf of the registering club for the requested player.a. Player Status reviews the applications and notifies the applicant of application statusi. Application complete and moved to next step ORii. Application incomplete/inaccurate and withdrawn from processb. The clearance is processed as required by the FIFA RSTPc. Applicant is informed of player eligibility upon completion of process.
GUIDE TO CLEARANCE FORM TYPES
The below chart lists the seven (7) clearance form types and the criteria for each type. The information is outlined to assist the club in selecting the appropriate form based on the players’ circumstance at the time of clearance submission. It is the responsibility of the club/league to determine which clearance is required for the player. Each form can be downloaded and lists the specific required documents that must be submitted with the completed form to the Player Status Department when requesting a clearance. Club representatives are required to complete the Club information section of the form.
PLAYER STATUS DEPARTMENT
The U.S. Soccer Player Status Department ensures the processes and requirements involving player eligibility and registration are adhered by all organization members. U.S. Soccer Bylaws and Policiesand the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) outline the rules and regulations regarding player eligibility - minor, amateur and professional – and the processes to participate in U.S. Soccer affiliated clubs and leagues. The annual registration process and clearance requests outlined on this page apply specifically to players wishing to register for affiliated clubs/leagues solely based in the United States, regardless of player’s nationality.
GUIDE TO CLEARANCE FORM TYPES
The below chart lists the seven (7) clearance form types and the criteria for each type. The information is outlined to assist the club in selecting the appropriate form based on the players’ circumstance at the time of clearance submission. It is the responsibility of the club/league to determine which clearance is required for the player. Each form can be downloaded and lists the specific required documents that must be submitted with the completed form to the Player Status Department when requesting a clearance. Club representatives are required to complete the Club information section of the form.
GUIDE TO CLEARANCE FORM TYPES
The below chart lists the seven (7) clearance form types and the criteria for each type. The information is outlined to assist the club in selecting the appropriate form based on the players’ circumstance at the time of clearance submission. It is the responsibility of the club/league to determine which clearance is required for the player. Each form can be downloaded and lists the specific required documents that must be submitted with the completed form to the Player Status Department when requesting a clearance. Club representatives are required to complete the Club information section of the form.