Our Principles — Fair Football Alliance

This document sets out the complete and authoritative principles of the Fair Football Alliance charter. It is intended for use by federations, confederations, leagues, clubs, and regulatory bodies considering adoption of or alignment with the charter.

Part I — Pyramid Structure and Competition

1.1 Universal Access and Promotion Pathways

Every affiliated club's first men's team and first women's team, regardless of their current competitive level, must have access to a clear and unobstructed pathway to the highest levels of the game. Specifically:

Each club must have a guaranteed route, via promotion and relegation, to their nation's top domestic league within 15 years — and preferably within fewer than 10 years.
Each club must have a direct route to win their nation's or sub-nation's national cup competition within a two-year cycle.
Each club must have a realistic pathway to compete for the FIFA Club World Cup within four years of meeting the relevant qualifying criteria.
The winner of the final league table of any national or sub-national competition must always be guaranteed promotion, or — if already in the top division — the championship. The championship must in turn guarantee qualification for the relevant continental tournament.

1.2 Separate Pyramids for Men's and Women's Football

Each nation or sub-nation must maintain two distinct and independent football pyramids — one for clubs' first men's teams and one for clubs' first women's teams. These pyramids must operate under the same access and promotion principles as set out in this charter.

1.3 Exclusion of Reserve, Youth, and Second Teams

Reserve teams, youth teams, and second teams of any club are prohibited from participating in the main first-team pyramids, for both men's and women's competitions (preferred they have their own pyramids). This ensures that competition places are reserved for fully independent first teams and that pathways remain open to all clubs.

1.4 Minimum League Size and Promotion/Relegation Requirements

To ensure competitive integrity, the following requirements apply to all leagues within a national or sub-national structure:

Every league must contain a minimum of four clubs.
Leagues or parallel league divisions comprising fewer than ten clubs must promote at least one club and relegate at least one club per season. The exception to that rule is that relegation cannot happen at the bottom of the pyramid. Another exception exists when nations or sub-nations decide to model their (parallel) divisions to administrative layers. In such case a promotion play-off with other administrative layers (parallel) divisions is allowed if the territory is less than 500 km² or less than 50,000 population. If the play-off is against an administrative layer (parallel division) with more than 50,000 population, that play-off can only be against the number 2 of that (parallel) division since the number 1 should directly promote.
Leagues or parallel league divisions comprising ten or more clubs must promote at least one club and relegate at least two clubs per season. The two exceptions from the bullet above also count in this scenario.

1.5 Table Splits and Seasonal Structure

In any given season, a national or sub-national league may introduce no more than two table splits. This restriction exists to preserve competitive clarity and the integrity of the seasonal standings.

1.6 Parallel Divisions

Where parallel divisions exist within a competition — for example, two or more groups at the same level of the pyramid — clubs must be assigned to divisions using one of the following criteria:

Geographical location of the club's home venue, aligned with a North-South-East-West or North1-North2-South1-South2 division model, depending on the geography of the territory.
Official administrative layers, such as counties, regions, or provinces, as defined by the relevant public authority.

No other method of parallel division assignment is permitted.

Part II — Cup Competitions

2.1 Free Draws

All national and sub-national cup competitions must use free draws at every round — that is, draws in which all remaining clubs in the competition are eligible to be paired with any other remaining club, without seeding, pot separation, or other structural restrictions, unless such restrictions are explicitly permitted elsewhere in this charter.

2.2 Late Entry Points

Where a cup competition introduces clubs into the draw at a stage other than the first round — commonly referred to as late entry points — the following restrictions apply:

Within any two-year cup cycle, the total number of late entry points may not exceed the number of pyramid layers in the relevant nation or sub-nation, divided by 2.5.
At any round that includes a late entry point, at least 25% of the clubs entering that round must have competed in the preceding round.

2.3 Regionalisation of Cup Rounds

Cup rounds may be regionalised — that is, divided into geographically separate draws or sub-competitions — subject to the following conditions:

Regionalisation is permitted only in rounds of 32 or more clubs and only in nations or sub-nations with a land area exceeding 500 km².
Each region must contain at least 16 clubs.
Regional groupings must be determined solely on the basis of the geographical position of each club's home venue, aligned with either a North-South-East-West or North1-North2-South1-South2 model, depending on the shape of the territory.

No other basis for regionalisation is permitted.

2.4 Match Formats for Cup Ties

Cup ties may be decided by any of the following formats:

A single match of 90 minutes, decided by the score at full time.
A single match of 90 minutes, with penalties if level at full time.
A single match of 90 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of extra time if level, with the tie decided by the score at the end of extra time.
A single match of 90 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of extra time if level, followed by penalties if still level.
Two legs of 90 minutes each, decided by aggregate score.
Two legs of 90 minutes each, followed by 30 minutes of extra time if the aggregate is level after both legs.
Two legs of 90 minutes each, followed by 30 minutes of extra time and then penalties if the aggregate remains level.
A replay system, in which an unlimited number of 90-minute matches may be played until one club wins.

No other tie-deciding formats are permitted without specific authorisation.

Part III — Home Grounds, Travel, and Ticketing

3.1 Home and Away Matches

In nations or sub-nations with a land area exceeding 500 km², clubs must play all competitive matches on a home-and-away basis. In such territories:

Each club may have only one designated home ground.
No more than two clubs may share a single home ground.

In nations or sub-nations with a land area of 500 km² or less, clubs are encouraged to play home and away. However, where a club does not have access to a home ground, the relevant federation may designate the match venue. In such cases, multiple clubs may play at the same venue, and no limit on the number of clubs sharing a venue applies.

3.2 Ticket Allocation

To ensure fair supporter access, minimum ticket allocation requirements apply to all competitive matches:

At a club's home ground, at least 90% of available tickets must be allocated to the home club for distribution to their supporters, and at least 5% must be allocated to the visiting club, unless either club voluntarily returns a portion of their allocation.
At a neutral venue, at least 45% of available tickets must be allocated to each of the two participating clubs, unless either club voluntarily returns a portion of their allocation.

3.3 Travel Cost Protections

Confederations and National or Sub-National federations have an obligation to ensure that participation in competitive football does not impose disproportionate travel burdens on clubs. Where a federation cannot guarantee that the maximum travel and accommodation costs incurred by any club in a competition exceeds three times the costs incurred by the club with the lowest such costs, that federation may be required to permit the establishment of an independent sub-national pyramid for the affected administrative layer.

Part IV — Sub-Nations and Regional Structures

4.1 Right to Establish a Sub-Nation

Any area within a nation that aligns with an officially recognised administrative layer — such as a province, region, county, or similar designation — is permitted to establish its own sub-national football association and competitive pyramid. This may be done either in agreement with the national football association or with the approval of the relevant confederation. Sub-nations carry all the same rights, obligations, and protections as full nations under this charter.

4.2 Compelled Recognition of Sub-Nations

A national federation or confederation may be required to permit the formation of an independent sub-national pyramid and sub-nation if it fails to meet either of the following obligations:

It cannot guarantee the safety of clubs and supporters at competitive matches within that territory (equal to an administrative layer).
It cannot guarantee that the maximum travel and accommodation costs incurred by any participating club from that territory (equal to an administrative layer) do not exceed three times those of the club with the lowest such costs.

4.3 Fused Nations

Two or more nations or sub-nations may choose to merge their competitive structures into a single combined national or sub-national area. Such a fusion is permitted provided:

All clubs from each participating nation or sub-nation are able to participate in the combined competition pyramid based on merit.
At least half of the clubs in each of the participating nations or sub-nations agree to the fusion.
All of the same principles that apply to individual nations and sub-nations continue to apply to the fused structure in full.

Part V — Continental and International Competitions

5.1 Mandatory Continental Cups

Each confederation is obligated to organise a minimum of two international cup competition per year. These primary continental cups must meet the following requirements:

All national and sub-national league champions must be invited to participate and play in the first competition.
All national and sub-national cup winners must be invited to participate in the second competition.
If additional clubs beyond champions and cup winners are included, their selection must be determined solely on the basis of sporting merit.
Losers from continental cups are allowed to be transferred to the next continental cup in rank. Only before the last 8. Their entry amount can never be more than 25% of clubs participating in that round.
The competition must adhere to the same rules as national and sub-national cup competitions under this charter.

5.2 Additional Continental Cups

Each confederation can also organise at least one additional confederational cup competition per year, in which clubs that have not won their national or sub-national championship or cup may compete. Selection for this additional competition must also be based on sporting merit. Confederations may organise a fourth or continental cup on the same basis. All additional continental cups must comply with the same rules as national and sub-national cups.

5.3 Continental League

Confederations are permitted to organise a continental league competition structured in pyramid form, provided the following conditions are met:

The structure must be based on sporting merit at all levels. Including promotion and relegation
The bottom of the continental pyramid must be supplied by qualified clubs from national and sub-national leagues, ensuring that all clubs within the confederation have a theoretical pathway of access.
The majority of competitive matches played by any participating club in a given season must still be played at national, sub-national, or fused-national level — not in the continental league.
The continental league must adhere to the same structural rules as national and sub-national league competitions under this charter.

Part VI — Club Governance and Member Rights

6.1 Mandatory Member Structure

Every football club must have a formal member structure with binding decision-making authority. Membership must, at a minimum, be made available to:

All members of the club's board or governing body.
All eligible players at the club.
All season ticket holders.
Any supporter who attends at least 25% of the competitive home matches of either the club's first men's team or first women's team in a given season.

The level of membership contribution is set by a simple majority of the membership. Clubs are encouraged to extend member participation beyond these minimum requirements and to involve members in all aspects of the club's operation.

6.2 Matters Reserved for Supermajority Member Vote

The following decisions may only be taken with the approval of at least two-thirds of the club's membership, and must be enshrined in the club's founding statutes.:

Whether the club ceases to exist or merges with another club.
The name of the club.

6.3 Matters Reserved for Supermajority Member Vote at a General or Emergency meeting

The following decisions may only be taken with the approval of at least two-thirds of the club's membership attending a General or Emergency Meeting, and must be enshrined in the club's founding statutes.:

The name of the home venue of the club's first men's team and first women's team.
The decision to change the home venue of the club's first men's team and first women's team. If obliged to have a home venue by this charter.
The kit colours — specifically the colours of the shirt, shorts, and socks — for all teams within the club. These colours must be worn in at least 50% of the club's competitive matches each season.
The exact graphical logo of the club, which must be recorded in the statutes as a vector image capable of faithful reproduction at any scale without loss of detail.

Part VII — Prohibited Practices

7.1 Commercial Naming Restrictions

The following naming practices are prohibited:

No sponsor name, company name, or commercial brand may be incorporated into a club's official name, official logo, or the official name of a club's home venue.
An exception applies where a club was originally founded by employees of a specific company, and that company's name was incorporated from the outset: in such cases, the name may be retained, but only if the company connection was established within the first five years of the club's existence.

7.2 Multi-Club Ownership

No club, company, or individual may hold an (indirect) ownership stake of more than 1% in more than one football club anywhere in the world simultaneously. This prohibition applies regardless of the size of the clubs concerned or the commercial arrangements involved.

7.3 Restrictions on Player Exchanges

No two clubs may exchange more than three players with one another within a single season. This restriction applies to all forms of transfer or loan arrangement and is intended to prevent larger clubs from using affiliated clubs as informal feeder systems.

Part VIII — Rules Governance

8.1 Laws of the Game

The Laws of the Game — the universal rules governing how association football is played — may only be amended with the agreement of the majority of clubs across all confederations. No governing body, confederation, or national association may unilaterally alter the Laws of the Game in a manner inconsistent with this requirement.

8.2 Licensing Rules

Licensing rules — conditions imposed on clubs to participate in competitions — may be set at the confederational, national, cup, or league level. The following requirements apply:

Licensing rules may only be introduced or amended with the agreement of the majority of clubs in the relevant division or competition, unless pushed from confederational level.
Licensing rules on both the federational and confederational level should be sensible. They can never be used to on purpose exclude teams.

Part IX — Milestone Clubs

9.1 Purpose and Certification

Football's history is carried by the clubs that have endured. Every nation and sub-nation should formally recognise and certify milestone clubs — those whose longevity, geography, or unique circumstances make them a foundational part of the game's heritage. Certification confers recognition and protection under this charter.

9.2 Milestone Clubs by Anciennity

The following categories of historical milestone are eligible for certification within each nation or sub-nation (In each category, different milestone certificates are awarded to those active and part of the official senior football pyramid and those only part of other official senior competition structures):

The oldest club of their respective nation or sub-nation to introduce football within their club and still existing.
The oldest club of their respective nation or sub-nation to start an official football department and still existing.
The oldest club or clubs of their respective nation or sub-nation to play a football match and still existing. Up to two clubs may be certified under this category.
The oldest club or clubs of their respective nation or sub-nation to play a football match organised by an official organisation and still existing. Up to two clubs may be certified under this category.
The oldest club or clubs of their respective nation or sub-nation to participate in a football competition and still existing. Multiple clubs may be certified under this category.
The oldest club or clubs of their respective nation or sub-nation to participate in a football competition organised by an official organisation and still existing. Multiple clubs may be certified under this category.

If clubs fused with another club to become a new club after their achievement, they are not deemed still existing anymore. If there are gaps without competitive activity in a clubs history, they should be justified. Only when these gaps were unvoluntary (wars, political reasons) they can be justified. If clubs decided to either initial or later play football in another countries competition, while still playing home games in a venue part of the territory they are located in, then these club's can be Oldest Milestone clubs.

9.3 Milestone Clubs by Geographical Extremes or other achievements

The following geographical categories or other achievements are eligible for certification within each nation or sub-nation (In each category, different milestone certificates are awarded to those active and part of the official senior football pyramid and those only part of other official senior competition structures):

The northernmost club by home ground in their nation or sub-nation.
The southernmost club by home ground in their nation or sub-nation.
The westernmost club by home ground in their nation or sub-nation.
The easternmost club by home ground in their nation or sub-nation.
The club with the highest-altitude home ground.
The most remote club by home ground, measured by the distance from the closest club's home ground.
Clubs whose home ground is situated on an island with no mainland road or rail connection and less than 100,000 population.
Clubs situated in an exclave — a portion of territory that is geographically separated from the main territory of their nation or sub-nation.
North Star clubs that adhere to the majority of principles (until 8.2) in this charter

FAIR FOOTBALL ALLIANCE