The domestic training compensation regulation has been revised. This is welcome news for the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) and its members who have been negotiating for such a change with the MFA and club officials for months.

Training compensation is a system through which clubs that helped develop a football player between the ages of 12 and 21, are given compensation when the player signs his first professional contract, whether this is full-time or part-time. Before these amendments, this compensation was due even if the first contract is signed when the player is nearing retirement. Without an employment contract, players had no protection when they were injured while serving their club and had no right to a salary. 

Under the revised MFA regulation, the age at which domestic training compensation is applicable will be capped at 25 years of age. This means that from the age of 26 onwards, no domestic training compensation is due when a player signs his first professional contract. By having a professional contract, players will automatically be covered if they are injured, and they will also be able to earn a salary.

The amended regulation brings Maltese football closer to, albeit not fully in line with, the FIFA Regulations since training compensation as per FIFA RSTP is capped at the age of 23 not 25.