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Termination of Professional Football Player Contract: Unpaid Wage, Justified Termination, Compensation and Applications Instructions on the Status and Transfers of Professional Football Players, Dispute Resolution Board, Labor Court and FIFA Football Court have been updated as of 2026
A football player whose salary has not been paid for months has the right to terminate the contract; However, if this right is used without complying with the warnings and periods in the TFF instructions, justified termination may turn into unfair termination and the football player may face a ban of up to four months and compensation debt. In the case of terminations made by the club, any termination other than the limited reasons listed in the instruction creates a risk of compensation based on the remaining contract price. In the guide, the reasons and durations of justifiable termination for the player and the club, how the compensation is calculated, the choice between the Dispute Resolution Board and the court, and the FIFA remedy in disputes with foreign elements are explained in the light of the Supreme Court's decisions between 2023 and 2025.
Professional football player contract is a service contract regulated in the Turkish Code of Obligations. Since the Labor Law No. 4857 excludes athletes from the scope, Labor Law institutions such as severance and notice pay are not applied; On the other hand, the competent court for cases filed after 25.10.2017, when the Labor Courts Law No. 7036 came into force, is the labor court (Supreme Court 5th HD, E.2023/4702, K.2023/8115, 02.10.2023).
The content of the contract is largely determined by TFF's Instruction on the Status and Transfers of Professional Football Players. The last change was made to the instruction on 19.06.2026. According to the instruction, the contract can be concluded for a maximum of five years (three years for those under the age of 18), must be drawn up to expire on June 30, and must be a single document. All types of wages must be clearly stated in the contract, and the monthly payment must not fall below the minimum wage. Making additional contracts is prohibited (Art. 19, Art. 21).
2. Under what circumstances can a football player be rightfully terminated?
Article 28 of the instruction regulates in detail the justified reasons for termination of the football player and the procedure to be followed. Durations cannot be changed to the detriment of the player; It can only be shortened in favor of the player with the written approval of the club.
Failure to pay the fee (Art.28/1) Notary notice to TFF for the club and information; 30 days to the club Within 7 days from expiration
Failure to make SSI entry (Art.28/2) 60 days with a notary notice Within 7 days from expiration
Failure of the club to fulfill its other obligations (Art.28/3) Suitable period of at least 30 days with a notary notice Within 7 days from expiration
Termination with sporting justification (Art.28/6-7) Being over 23 years old; Having taken part in less than 10% of the club's official matches during the season Within 15 days from the last match of the season
The instruction does not determine how many months of wages are not paid and the right of termination will arise; The decisive factor is the failure to pay the fee requested in the notice within the given period. Underreporting of premium earnings alone is not considered a reason for termination within the scope of Article 28/2. The courts evaluate the dispute within the framework of the justified termination provisions of the Turkish Code of Obligations. The Supreme Court approved the decision that found the termination justified due to late insurance entry and non-payment of fees and gave the football player the next season's down payment as compensation (Supreme Court 9th HD, E.2025/8964, K.2025/10240, 23.12.2025).
3. In what cases can the club justifiably terminate?
The football player's illness or state of rest arising outside of football activities exceeds six months (Art.27/1-a),
The football player receives a definitive deprivation of rights for at least six months or a ban from the competition (Art.27/1-b); Doping and betting penalties are also evaluated within this scope,
The football player seriously violates his obligations under Article 25 (Art. 27/1-c); In this case, the club must first give at least a seven-day period with a notary notice, and if the violation continues, it must terminate it within seven days from the end of the period,
At least four official match bans, finalized for violation of the instructions regarding football management (Art.27/1-d).
In cases other than clause (c), the club must notify the termination with a notary notice within thirty days from the occurrence or learning of the incident. The termination of the club that misses this period may be procedural, even if there is a justified reason.
Unfair termination gives the other party the right to compensation (Art. 6/1). According to Article 437 of the Turkish Code of Obligations, if the justifiable reason for termination arises from the other party's breach of contract, that party is obliged to fully compensate for the damage, taking into account all rights based on the service relationship. In practice, the starting point of the compensation calculated in favor of the player is the wages of the remaining contract period. However:
Any income the player earned or avoided at another club after termination is taken into account. The Supreme Court found it appropriate to make a reasonable discount of fifty percent for the player who signed with his new club shortly after the termination (Supreme Court 9th HD, E.2025/8964, K.2025/10240).
Since the per-match fee is a fee that depends on the player's inclusion in the squad and is at the discretion of the club, it cannot be requested for the period after termination (closed Supreme Court of Appeals 13th HD, E.2016/3472, K.2019/6514, 23.05.2019).
A football player who terminates the contract without just cause during the protection period is given a four-month ban from official competitions in addition to compensation; In aggravating circumstances, this period may increase to six months (Art. 30/2). The protection period is three years or three seasons for contracts signed before the age of 28, and two years or two seasons for contracts signed after.
The new club that encourages the termination of the player is jointly and severally liable with the player for the legal and sporting consequences of the termination and may face a transfer ban for one to two periods (Art. 29/3, Art. 30/5).
Sporting penalties are given only upon request and only by the Dispute Resolution Board. The application must be made by the end of the transfer and registration period following TFF's notification; This period is detrimental to rights (Art. 30/7).
5. Where to Resolve Dispute?
The Constitutional Court annulled the legal provision regarding the exclusive authority of TFF legal boards (E.2017/136, K.2018/7) and the decision entered into force on 02.03.2019. After this date, the authority of the UÇK in contractual receivable disputes depends on the acceptance of the parties (Instruction art. 22). Training compensation and sports penalties are resolved exclusively in the UÇK. If it is agreed in the contract that the UÇK and the Arbitration Board are authorized, the lawsuit filed in the court may be rejected due to the procedure upon the first objection of the other party to the arbitration (Supreme Court 3. HD, E.2023/937, K.2023/2872, 24.10.2023). An appeal against UÇK decisions is made to the TFF Arbitration Board within seven days.
The most effective pressure tool on the club is often Article 22 Duplicate regarding overdue payments. The creditor can apply to the UÇK after giving the club at least ten days with a notary notice; If payments are delayed for more than thirty days without a justified reason, the club may be given a warning, reprimand, fine and, in case of repetition, a transfer ban for one or two periods. Decisions that are not objected in time are also processed as debt preventing registration (Art. 12). Labor court If the parties have not accepted the authority of the UÇK, the lawsuit for receivables and compensation is filed in the labor court. Before filing a lawsuit, it should also be evaluated whether the mediation requirement in Law No. 7036 will be applied; Applying to a mediator is a cautious approach against the risk of procedural rejection. The statute of limitations for wage receivables is five years (TBK article 147).
The FIFA Football Court (Dispute Resolution Chamber) is authorized in cases with an international dimension, such as disputes between a foreign football player and a Turkish club. According to Article 14bis of the FIFA Status and Transfer Regulations, a football player whose salary for at least two months is not paid on time may terminate the contract for justified reasons after a written notice giving the club at least fifteen days. Following the Diarra decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union, FIFA, with a temporary regulation implemented as of January 1, 2025, stipulated that the compensation will be determined according to the specific circumstances of each case, and removed the automatic joint liability of the new club and put the burden of proof of the incentive for termination on the old club. As a rule, the period for appealing to CAS against FIFA decisions is twenty-one days.
A football player who plays in the 1st League and has one and a half seasons left on his contract has not been paid three months' wages. The football player sent a notary notice to the club and TFF for information, requesting that his accrued wages be paid within thirty days; The club only paid one month's salary during the period. The football player terminated the contract on the fifth day after the expiration of the period and signed with another club three weeks later.
Since the full fee requested in the notice was not paid within the period and the termination was made within the seven-day period, the termination is in accordance with the procedure stipulated in the instruction. The fact that the unpaid portion is a non-negligible amount, such as two months' salary, strengthens the justification of the termination. The starting point in terms of compensation is the guaranteed wages for the remaining season and a half; Per-match fees are not included in this calculation. If the player signs an agreement with a new club in a short time, this will result in the offset of the income from the new contract or a reasonable discount, in accordance with the Supreme Court practice. Applying to the UCK for accumulated wages within the scope of Duplicate 22 may accelerate collection as it will put the club at risk of a transfer ban. If there is no UÇK authority requirement in the contract, the football player can choose between the UÇK and the labor court for receivables and compensation.
How many months of salary cannot be paid if I can terminate the contract?
TFF instruction does not require a specific number of months; It is sufficient if the fee requested with a notary notice is not paid within thirty days. In international cases for which FIFA is authorized, at least two months' wages must be unpaid and a fifteen-day written warning is required.
Can I send the warning via email or WhatsApp?
The instruction requires a notary notice and notification to the TFF. Notifications made by other means do not meet the procedural requirement for justified termination.
What can I claim if the club terminates my contract unfairly?
Compensation calculated based on the wages not paid until the termination date and the wages of the remaining contract period may be requested. Income from the new club and reasonable discount are factors that reduce compensation.
What should be taken into consideration when signing a mutual termination protocol?
Mutual termination must be notified to the TFF together with the notarized signature circular of the persons authorized to represent the club (Art. 26). If receivables are waived in the protocol, it should also be evaluated whether the conditions of discharge in Article 420 of the Turkish Code of Obligations (being in writing, at least one month has passed since the expiry date, clearly indicating the type and amount of the receivable, and making the payment through the bank) are met.
I am a foreign football player, where should I apply?
If the dispute has an international dimension, an application can be made to the FIFA Football Court. FIFA's decision can be appealed to CAS.
Sending a warning via e-mail or message instead of a notary, or forgetting to inform TFF.
To terminate before the thirty-day period has expired or after the seven-day termination period has passed.
Accepting a portion of the fee as an additional protocol or cash payment and having difficulty proving it.
Not applying for a sports penalty within the limitation period.
Signing the mutual termination protocol, which constitutes a release, before all receivables are paid.
Termination in football player contracts is a technical process in which a few days' time and the content of the notary notice determine the outcome. A football player with a legitimate claim may face the risk of ban and compensation due to procedural error; The club may be under a burden equal to the remaining contract price with a decision that exceeds the limited termination reasons of the instruction. The choice of forum is at least as important as the substance: UCK, labor court and FIFA routes offer different deadlines, rules of proof and collection opportunities.
Küheylan Law Firm; It provides legal support to players and clubs on the preparation of warnings and termination notices, the dispute resolution board, the arbitration board, labor courts and the FIFA Football Court, as well as the negotiation of receivables and compensation disputes and mutual termination protocols.
Important Legal Notice: The legal explanations contained in this guide have been prepared by Küheylan Law Firm for general information purposes and do not constitute legal advice. In sports law, federation instructions change frequently, objection and application periods are short; Since each file has its own unique conditions, it is recommended to get support from a lawyer before taking action. © 2026 Küheylan Law Firm. All rights reserved.
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