South African Football Players Union (SAFPU)

Background

The South African Football Players Union is a non-profit making organisation that has been in existence since 1997. The organisation is the custodian of the players interest in South Africa. SAFPU is affiliated to both the Federation of International Professional Footballers (FIFPro) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). FIFPro is the custodian of players' rights worldwide and was initiated by five countries: The Netherlands, Italy, France, England and Scotland.

To date the organization has held three congresses the first being in 2000, the second in 2005 and the last one being in 2008.

Roles and Objectives

The roles and objectives of SAFPU in the development of football in South Africa are:

Developing young emerging players and encouraging their self-reliance.
Empowering emerging leaders involved in football and ensuring sustainability.
Improving the quality of life of football players while also raising awareness about the social imbalance affecting everyone.
To seek solutions to major issues in football by all those involved in the game.
To protect and develop healthy football players.
To protect the minors in accordance with the rules as regulated by FIFA.
To fight against the exploitation of players.
To ensure that the players reap the economic benefits of the game.
To prepare members for life after football.
Creating a network that will lend support to emerging players.