The social partners representing the professional football sector signed their first agreement setting minimum contract requirements, in order to ensure that player contracts throughout Europe meet certain minimum standard among other things.

In the presence of László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and responsible for social dialogue at EU level, and Commissioner Vassiliou, responsible for sport, Michel Platini (UEFA, President), Frédéric Thiriez (EPFL, President), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (ECA, President) and Philippe Piat (FIFPro Division Europe, President) and their respective General Secretaries signed a new agreement on contract rights for footballers. In March 2012, Vice President Joaquín Almunia and UEFA President Michel Platini also confirmed that the financial Fair-Play rules in professional football are in line with EU state aid policy.

The new agreement is aimed at ensuring that player contracts throughout Europe meet certain minimum standards. Therefore, according to the agreement, contracts must be in writing, they must define the rights and duties of club and player and they must address matters such as salary, health insurance, social security or paid leave. Contracts also must refer to the duty of players to participate in training, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to comply with disciplinary procedures. Moreover, standard contracts will contain provisions on dispute resolution and applicable law.

With regard to the monitoring and implementation of the Autonomous Agreement, the European will assist EU social partners in this monitoring and implementation. Besides, the Commission supports the European social dialogue in the professional football sector.