Brighter times ahead? Here's how the Slovak Football Association plans to improve conditions for players!

The recent official meeting between top representatives of the Union of Football Professionals (ÚFP) and Slovak Football Association (SFZ) president Ján Kováčik was focused on their shared commitment to the development of Slovak football and improving the conditions and status of professional players in Slovakia.

During the talks, Ján Mucha (ÚFP) and the president of the association agreed on several points, which they decided to publish in a joint statement. The ÚFP’s membership base continues to grow and currently represents 80 percent of all professional footballers in Slovakia. Its president, Ján Mucha — goalkeeper for ŠK Slovan Bratislava and the national team — together with advisor Jozef Tokos, has held numerous negotiations and consultations this year with FIFPro representatives. These efforts have resulted in the initiation of the ÚFP’s process of joining FIFPro. Its general secretary, Theo van Seggelen, expressed full support for the Slovak players’ union, which he also communicated in a letter to the SFZ president.

The Union of Football Professionals appreciates several concrete actions and initiatives of the SFZ aimed at strengthening the protection of professional footballers’ rights. Both organizations agreed to cooperate on analyzing and subsequently amending SFZ regulations in the area of dispute resolution. Their shared goal is to ensure contractual stability between players and clubs.