In terms of football, citizen players are outside the pension system

Clubs in the professional league revealed that their citizen players are not registered in the pension and social insurance system, stressing that the contractual relationship between football companies and players ends at the end of the contract term, without entailing an obligation to provide a retirement pension after retirement. On the other hand, some clubs referred the file to the supervisory authorities and sports councils, while others explained that their players are included in the pension system because they work in government jobs, in addition to playing football.

This came in response to a question from “Emirates Today” regarding club companies’ players enjoying an insurance umbrella, which reopens the discussion about the players’ future after the end of their sporting careers, and the need for more clarity and regulation regarding their insurance rights and job stability.

Emirates Al-Youm had published an investigation in which it discussed, from a legal standpoint, the entitlement of athletes to receive a retirement pension according to the text of Federal Law No. (4) of 2023 and its executive regulations regarding sports.

In the same context, athletes presented several proposals to ensure a better future for former players who find themselves without a stable source of income after retirement, which makes them vulnerable to living pressures. The most prominent of these proposals is for clubs, federations, and related parties to assume their responsibilities towards providing appropriate pensions, by deducting percentages from players’ contracts during their career, or creating a job title for a player with a retirement salary, in a way that contributes to securing the future of athletes.

Al-Wasl

Al-Wasl Club confirmed that it does not have a system to allocate pensions or social insurance to citizen players after retirement, indicating that the contractual relationship between the club and the player ends with the expiration of the term of the contract concluded between the two parties.

He explained that “the club’s support for players does not take on a financial nature after retirement, but rather consists of providing other opportunities within the system, such as providing training and rehabilitation courses, and helping them integrate into administrative or technical work, in addition to professional development programs that contribute to their continuation within the football sector.”

Victory

Al-Nasr Club confirmed that its national players were not registered in the pension system, in response to an inquiry directed to the club’s Human Resources Department regarding this file.

The club said in a brief response that “citizen players are not included in the pension registration system at the present time, without providing any additional details.”

Ajman

The Ajman Club confirmed that all the first team players are citizens who work in government agencies and departments, and actually enjoy the umbrella of the pension and social insurance system through their basic jobs, which explains why they are not included in the security system through the club.

An official source in the club said that the national players are linked to existing government employment contracts, and their contributions are deducted according to the regulations in force in their places of work, which makes them covered by insurance and social protection in a legal and orderly manner.

He explained that “the legal and regulatory frameworks do not allow combining two different jobs, which would result in duplication of subscription or benefit from two insurance systems at the same time.”

He added, “The contractual relationship between the club and the national players falls within the framework of approved sports professionalism, without resulting in the establishment of a second employment relationship subject to the Social Security Law, in light of the players’ continued connection to their government jobs.”

The source stressed the Ajman Club’s keenness to adhere to the relevant rules and regulations, and to coordinate with the competent authorities, to ensure the integrity of the procedures followed, stressing that the rights of the players are preserved in accordance with the applicable laws, from the contractual aspect concluded in the contracts that the club signed with them.

Unity

Al Wahda Club stated that “there was previously a program affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council that provided financial support to national players after retirement, but this program was discontinued.”

The club confirmed that “this file does not fall within its direct jurisdiction, and that it was not responsible for managing or financing this initiative.”

The island

Al Jazira Club agreed with Al Wahda, explaining that “the previous support program that was supervised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council no longer exists.”

He added, “The club has no organizational or financial relationship with the file of pensions or insurance after retirement, as it is an issue that was managed through a party outside the framework of the clubs.”

The ducks

Al Bataeh Club refused to comment on inquiries related to the non-inclusion of its national players in the pension system, stressing that the authority authorized to respond to this question is the Sharjah Sports Council.

The club’s response stated: “This question can only be answered by the Sharjah Sports Council,” without providing any additional details about the registration mechanism, or the nature of the contractual relationship with the players.

The club did not speak about whether there were alternative arrangements or procedures under study to address the file, merely indicating that the issue falls within the jurisdiction of the supervising authority, which means that any future inquiries will be referred to it, as it is the authority concerned with administrative and financial supervision of its affiliated clubs.

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