Following a consultation process with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), A-Leagues clubs have supported a move to review the ‘Caceres Clause’ ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The APL was approached by a number of clubs in May about the possibility of reviewing the ‘Caceres Clause’ due to the increased transfer market opportunity for clubs and the change in broader club ownership structures in place across the league since the inception of the player contracting rule in 2016.
The review process sought feedback from all clubs about the rule change and what, if any guardrails would be required, and took into consideration the league and Clubs’ emphasis on youth development, improving overseas talent pathways and increasing opportunities for international player transfer and loan fees.
A player contracting rule change was supported by all clubs, with the premise that the APL reviews and maintains certain guardrails.
Background:
A prohibition on certain transfers and loans between related clubs was introduced in 2016 following the immediate loan of Anthony Caceres to Melbourne City FC from Manchester City FC, after Manchester City FC purchased the player from Central Coast Mariners. This prohibition was referred to informally as the ‘Caceres Clause’.
The ‘Caceres Clause’ currently prevents a player from being registered if a multi-club ownership/partnership (MCO) club purchases the player from an A-Leagues Club and attempts to transfer/loan such player to the MCO’s related A-League Club until the earlier of the:
- end of the term that was otherwise remaining on the player’s A-Leagues contract; or
- expiry of two (2) transfer windows, inclusive of the transfer window the player moved in.
The update:
Clubs supported the motion to adapt the clause for the current player registration period, which will include player registration and salary cap treatment guardrails that balance development of the Isuzu UTE A-League while ensuring competition integrity.
At the end of every season, the APL reviews the Player Contract Regulations and Competition Policies and Regulations in line with feedback from key stakeholders.
Any rule change is subject to approval by Football Australia as part of the formal review process of the Player Contract Regulations and Competition Policies and Regulations with the APL that occurs ahead of each season.
