International Clearance Rules change again.

USSF approval of International Clearance Waviers eliminated

In actions taken by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors on August 25, 2007 US Youth Soccer Rule 207 in regard to International Clearances has been amended.  Please read the complete article and see the Registration section of this website for the amendments made to this rule.

In actions by the US Youth Soccer board of directors on August 25, 2007 US Youth Soccer Rule 207 on International Clearances has been amended as follows with new language being underlined [shall] and language being striken shown as a strikethrough [may] :

Rule 207. INTERNATIONAL CLEARANCES

a) For a player who is at least 17 years of age and comes to the on or after the player is 12 years of age, the player must request an international clearance from the Federation.

(b) For a player who is 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 years of age and comes to the United States on or after the player is 12 years of age, an international clearance is not required. However, the State Association through which the player is registered may shall require that—

  1. the player’s parent, parents, or legal guardian complete and sign a statement that the player has not signed a professional contract or received money from a profession team for playing soccer; and
  2. the statement be (A) retained by the club or league with which the player is registered, or (B) filed with the State Association.

(c) The failure of a player to obtain the clearance or statement provided for by this rule does not affect the player’s eligibility in regard to any USYSA program or activity, or any program or activity of a member of USYSA.

Rationale:

Current FIFA regulations about international clearances apply to players 12 years of age and older. However, FIFA has indicated to the United States Soccer Federation that it does not want to receive International Clearances for players 12-16 year of age. Clearances for 17 year old players have to be filed, but FIFA may or may not respond. FIFA does expect and respond to clearances for players 18 years of age and older. Submitting International clearances with the Federation for players 12-16 years of age is therefore meaningless paperwork and the meaningless payment of a $10.00 fee to the Federation for each clearance submitted. The amendment to Rule 207 eliminates this needless paperwork and payment of a fee to the Federation.

The previous change made in 2006 left the requirement for a wavier open and up to the state association to choose whether they would require it or not.  The change this year makes the wavier a requirement, however leaves it at the state approval level and they do not have to be forwarded to the Federation for approval.  This brings the rule into compliance with the FIFA requirements.

Please see the Registration section of the NYW website and go to Policies on Players and Rostering to review the NYW changes to this rule.