What to do when your club does not pay your salary

When salary is late, evidence matters most. From the very first missed payment, note down:

• which amounts are due under your contract (salary, bonuses, allowances) and whether they are stated gross or net;
• when each amount should have been paid and when (if ever) it was received;
• what the club has promised and who said it.

Keep a copy of your employment contract, all annexes, payslips, bank statements and all correspondence with the club. Do not delete messages on your phone or in your email, even if they seem unimportant.

Verbal conversations are easy to forget or dispute. If the club is late with payments, send a written request (for example an email or letter) stating calmly and precisely the unpaid amounts and their due dates, and asking for payment.

• Keep a copy of the request and proof that it was sent.
• If you speak with a club representative in person or by phone, follow up with a short written summary of the conversation.
• Stay professional – emotional messages may later be used against you.

In some cases the regulations may require the club to be put on written notice of the debt before further steps can be taken. The exact requirements and deadlines depend on the situation, so it is worth seeking advice early.

Sometimes a club offers to "resolve the matter" by asking you to sign a settlement, a waiver of claims, a new payment schedule or a termination agreement. Do not sign such documents in a hurry or without understanding the consequences. They may mean giving up money you are owed or losing the ability to claim it later.

You are entitled to ask for time to review a document and to take advice before signing. If you feel pressured, write down who put pressure on you, when and how.

Whatever the payment delays, do not stop attending training or performing your duties without advice – doing so can seriously affect your position.

Depending on the situation, several routes may be available:

• Negotiation with the club – often the first and quickest step, provided it is done in writing and ends in a clear agreement.
• Latvian Football Federation (LFF) dispute resolution bodies – for national-level disputes under LFF regulations.
• FIFA – in international cases, for example where the player and club are from different countries, the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) and the FIFA Football Tribunal may apply.
• Ordinary courts – for employment disputes under the Latvian Labour Law.

Each route has its own requirements, costs and deadlines, which can be short. The right route depends on your contract, your and the club's country, and other circumstances.

If any of this applies to you, contact LPFA through the confidential assistance request form. The sooner you reach out, the more room there is to assess your situation before any possible deadlines pass.

LPFA will review your situation and let you know about possible next steps. This page is general information, not legal advice, and LPFA cannot guarantee any particular outcome.