Training compensation regime in South African football: time for clear and effective regulations that properly incentivise and compensate training clubs.
Nomfundo Khumalo and Farai Razano Introduction Whenever there is a discussion on the success (or failure) of South African national football teams, the issue of the need for proper youth development structures and programmes always takes centre stage. It is often argued that South African football lacks youth training and development structures necessary for the systematic flow through of football players from youth teams into senior teams. T his is a persistent issue that one would expect the football authorities or regulators, primarily the South African Football Association (“ SAFA ”), to pay attention to and ensure that youth development is encouraged through a training and development compensation regime that incentivises and properly compensates clubs and academies. This article considers the training compensation regime in South African football. It will be argued that SAFA does not have a valid and proper training compensation regime, and there is need for the adoption and imp