Football Federation of BiH lashes out at Footballers' Union

(Patria) - The Independent Union of Professional Footballers of BiH (SPFBiH) has often criticized and called out the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

An analysis of their statements suggests that their activities are populist in nature, with incomplete or completely incorrect information and a classic substitution of theses, according to the FBiH.

We are transmitting their statement in its entirety:

"The FBiH is committed to dialogue with all entities, including the SPFBiH, on issues of improving BiH football as a whole, but in an open, transparent, verifiable, and legally established manner.

The question remains whether the current SPFBiH is legally a legitimate representative of footballers from the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina? Does this organization have credibility within the legally prescribed representation of interest groups it represents? Its legitimacy is also questioned due to the fact that full membership in an international professional organization has not been secured? The SPFBiH should first be accepted by the clubs, who are the direct employers of the footballers, as a credible and legitimate partner or interlocutor, and only then by the FBiH.

Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned facts, we must conclude that the SPFBiH has opted for public polemics aimed at personal promotion, which brings the least benefit to its members for whom it was founded.

The latest statement issued by the SPFBiH on December 30, 2019, calls on the FBiH to adopt proposals for amendments and additions to the professional player contract form, all in the interest of protecting players' rights. The same statement also mentions that a certain number of clubs allegedly conclude double contracts with players.

This statement also confirms populism, incorrect and incomplete information, and substitution of theses. The FBiH is obliged to explain and inform the public of the truth.

The current standard professional player contract form is fully aligned with the minimum requirements of UEFA, ECA, and FIFPro, and is the result of social dialogue among these institutions, and has been fully implemented by the FBiH as a UEFA member association. Furthermore, the mentioned contract form is also aligned with the labor law legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities, and as such, it contains all minimum mandatory elements. The contracting parties can supplement it in accordance with their free choice, but the minimum requirements must be respected.

In this way, the rights of players and clubs are fully protected. The FBiH has a clearly established system of bodies and committees that decide in cases of contractual disputes, as well as in the implementation of final decisions.

The FBiH has no evidence of the existence of double contracts, and if they do exist, it would be good for the SPFBiH to disclose them.

Without intending to engage in further polemics, we hereby call on all entities to provide complete and accurate information in their statements, within their scope of activity. Only by joining forces and with a sincere approach can we improve BiH football," state the Football Federation of BiH.