APPENDIX 9
Memorandum from the Swedish Football Association
(Svenska FotbollfÎrbundet) (WP18)
In the regulations of the Swedish Football Association
it is stated that clubs playing at the three highest levels (division
1-3) for men and the highest level (division 1) for women are
allowed to employ professional footballers which are non-EEA nationals.
According to the current agreement between the
Swedish Sport Federation and the Government (unanimous for all
sports in Sweden), the clubs have to meet various requirements
as far as minimum wages (12,000 Swedish Crowns per month before
taxes), accommodations, employment taxes, etc. are concerned in
order to be acknowledged as employers of overseas sportsmen or
managers.
There are no specific criteria which the non-EEA
nationals have to meet to obtain a working permit in Sweden. The
player has to apply for a working permit at a Swedish Embassy
in the country where he is situated and if the Swedish club simultaneously
can present a contract in which it is shown that the club meets
the requirement as mentioned above and if the National Football
Association to which the player belongs issues an international
certificate of transfer in favour of the Swedish FA the immigration
authorities will grant the player a working permit. There is one
more requirement before the working permit is granted and that
is that the Swedish FA, in each individual case, is asked to give
our opinion to the immigration authorities whether the player
is expected to contribute to a positive development of Swedish
football or not. When it comes to the individual player we do
not have any requirement as far as his previous records as a player
(playing at a certain level or being an international of his country's
national side). As far as coaches or managers are concerned the
Swedish FA requires that he has passed the highest level of training
courses within his national football association in order to be
recommended to the proper authorities for a working permit.
Before 1996 the maximum period of time during
which an overseas player could receive a working permit was 2+2
years (a total of four years). After four years he had to leave
the country. Since 1997 a player is allowed to work as a professional
footballer for any period of time (no limit) as long as there
is a club employing him. However a working permit as a footballer,
no matter for how many years the contract is valid, cannot become
a Swedish citizen based only on the fact that he has been living
in Sweden for more than five years (normally this gives a person
the possibility to become a Swedish citizen).
We hope that this information has been of some
use to you. If you have any further questions do not hesitate
to contact us again.
Svenska FotbollfÎrbundet
October 1999
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