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International Player Rules/Instructions |
INTERNATIONAL PLAYER RULES CLARIFIED
As a result of a rule change last March, and a series of questions that have since been posed to the state office, we have contacted US Soccer for clarification on what forms need to be completed when dealing with players born outside of the United States. The guidelines below contain instructions given to us by US Soccer, and should be used for all future roster determination issues. Failure to follow the specific guidelines may result in a player being declared ineligible, and the team's forfeiture of all games in which the player's name appeared on the game roster, whether or not the player participated in that game.
In addition to rules applicable to foreign players, there are also rules for US citizens who have played soccer outside of the US if that player appeared on the roster of a foreign team. See below for additional details.
Please consult and follow these revised guidelines when rostering foreign players. Specific questions can be directed to Steven Murry at US Soccer by calling (312) 528-1244.
Foreign Exchange Students:
A player who can be classified as a foreign exchange student is permitted to be included on a Massachusetts team roster, but must first follow the applicable procedures below, based upon the player's current age.
1. If the player is age 16 or younger: The International Waiver Form must be completed, signed and mailed to Mass Youth Soccer, 512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, MA 01523. In addition, a $10 application fee (check made payable to US Soccer) must be included. Mass Youth Soccer will sign the form and mail to US Soccer. Once approved by Mass Youth Soccer, the player's name may be placed on a Massachusetts roster.
Please Note: If the player has received money or has signed a contract with a professional team, the International Transfer Clearance Form must also be completed, signed and submitted. This form should be sent along with the other forms and we will forward the complete package to US Soccer. However, until US Soccer has approved the international transfer, the player's name should not be placed on a team roster.
2. If the player is age 17 or older: The International Transfer Clearance Form must be completed, signed and submitted directly to Mass Youth Soccer, 512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, MA 01523. There is no fee for submission of this form. Until US Soccer has approved the international transfer, the player's name should not be placed on a team roster.
Permanent Residence Foreign Born Players:
A player who was not born in the United States, but is now living permanently in this country, may be placed on a Massachusetts roster, but must first follow the applicable procedures below, based upon the age of the player when they first came to the United States.
Any player that has crossed United States borders has to be approved through US Soccer. US Soccer is bound by the rules and regulations found in FIFA’s regulations for the status and transfer of players. These rules and regulations apply to all players born outside of the US, regardless of citizenship. All State Associations are required to follow US Soccer guidelines. The policies in place require all players that have crossed US borders to submit paperwork that will be processed and sent to US Soccer. ***Please note this also applies to any player that has previously been cleared by Mass Youth Soccer. Once this process has been completed and appropriate documents have been submitted to Mass Youth Soccer, players will be placed on a master listing by US Soccer, and will not be required to submit this required paperwork moving forward, provided the initial process used was 1 or 2 below.
There are four processes of International Clearance:
1) Proof of entry prior to 12***
2) Waiver Form (player is currently between the ages of 12 and 16)
3) International Transfer Clearance Request Form and letter of “non-footballing” reasons (player is currently 17 years old)
4) International Transfers Clearance Request Form (player is currently 18 years old)
***For any player who entered the US prior to their 12th birthday, regardless of current age.
All players must be properly registered with Mass Youth Soccer before any paperwork will be processed on a player. When submitting forms, please be sure to include contact info should we need to contact you with questions regarding your paperwork.
1)Proof of entry prior to age 12 procedure~Player must complete Proof of Entry Prior to 12 Submission Form. Player must also provide a copy of an official document which clearly indicates the player was living in the US prior to 12th birthday.
Examples of acceptable proof of entry documents:
-school records/report cards
-doctor’s records
-immunization records
-immigration records
-state issued ID cards
-registration history with state association
A passports is NOT an acceptable proof of entry document. If the child has left the country at any time and crossed US borders to play soccer (and is now over the age of 12), you must follow #2 or #3 based on your player's current age.
Player is free to register and play upon receipt of documentation.
Please click here for Proof of Entry prior to 12 Form
2)Waiver Form~The Waiver Form is used for all players CURRENTLY between the ages of 12 and 16, that has either just entered the United States, or has traveled outside of US Borders(even if only for a short period of time). The player must fill out the Waiver Form and send to State Association for approval. If the player can not answer “NO” to all questions, the player must fill out the International Clearance Request Form (see process 4). The State Association forwards the Waiver Form to US Soccer. US Soccer will process this form, and hold on file.
Player is free to register upon confirmation of receipt of form from State Association.
Please click here for Waiver Form
3) International Transfer Clearance Request Form and letter of “non-footballing” reasons~Players that are currently 17 years of age may only request their ITC if they meet an exception to FIFA’s Policy on the Transfer of Minors. The exception available in the US: Non-Footballing Reasons. In addition the player must provide a brief letter (one or two paragraphs) explaining the why’s and how’s of moving to the US. Specifically stating that it was “NOT TO PLAY SOCCER”. The player or guardian provides the State Association with the ITC Request Form and letter of Non-Footballing reasons, the State Association then forwards both to US Soccer for processing. US Soccer requests the ITC from the Foreign Federation and provides the Federation with a copy of the letter. This process can take up to 30 business days before approval. If after 30 business days from the official request, US Soccer does not receive a reply, on day 31 US Soccer will issue a Provisional Certificate and notify the State Association. A Provisional Clearance is good for up to one year. During the one year period, should the Foreign Association contact US Soccer with a valid reason as to why the certificate was not issued, the Provisional Certificate will be withdrawn. US Soccer will notify the State Association. After the one year period, if US Soccer does not receive any further communication from the Foreign Association, the Provisional Certificate will be permanent.
Player may not be placed on a roster, or participate in any games until the State Association receives notification from US Soccer. The State Association will inform the player/club once notification has been received.
Please click here for ITC Form
4) International Transfer Clearance Request Form~Players that are currently 18 years old or above must complete the ITC Form forward to State Association, and the State Association forwards the form to US Soccer for processing. US Soccer requests the ITC from the Foreign Federation and provides the Federation with a copy of the letter. This process can take up to 30 business days before approval. If after 30 business days from the official request, US Soccer does not receive a reply, on day 31 US Soccer will issue a Provisional Certificate and notify the State Association. A Provisional Clearance is good for up to one year. During the one year period, should the Foreign Association contact US Soccer with a valid reason as to why the certificate was not issued, the Provisional Certificate will be withdrawn. US Soccer will notify the State Association. After the one year period, if US Soccer does not receive any further communication from the Foreign Association, the Provisional Certificate will be permanent.
Player may not be placed on a roster, or participate in any games until the State Association receives notification from US Soccer. The State Association will inform the player/club once notification has been received.
Please click here for ITC Form
If you have any questions regarding the International Clearance process, please contact Tara Petricca, tpetricca@mayouthsoccer.org or 978-466-8812 ext. 225 for assistance.
US Citizens Who Played Outside the US:
If a US citizen lived outside the United States and was listed on a roster of a foreign team, the International Transfer Clearance Form must be completed, signed and submitted directly to Mass Youth Soccer, 512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, MA 01523. Do not send this to us. There is no fee for submission of this form. Until US Soccer has approved the international transfer, the player's name should not be placed on a team roster.
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