FILA, the international wrestling federation, has announced new rules governing the process which international wrestlers may change national affiliation.

A letter with the new policy was sent to all of the national wrestling federations on November 30 and signed by FILA President Raphael Martinetti and FILA General Secretary Michel Dusson.

The new rules allow each nation to accept only one new athlete per style each year.

In addition, there will be a two-year period after the transfer where an athlete may not compete in the major FILA international events.

Each athlete who changes nationality must get permission from the nation which he/she has departed, the nation which he/she changes to and from FILA. There is also a fee of 5,000 Swiss francs to FILA for each change of nationality.

The new policy provides clarity about the issue of athlete transfer to another nation, and places a specific limitation on how often this can occur.

TEXT OF FILA LETTER ABOUT ATHLETE TRANSFERS

A wrestler who wishes to change his/her nationality to wrestle in another country shall request permission in writing to FILA.

The permission must contain :
• a certificate from his/her former Federation granting the departure of the wrestler
• a certificate from his/her new Federation
• a copy of the contract with his/her new Federation
• a copy of his/her new and former passport
• the payment to FILA of CHF 5'000.- fee for the change of nationality.

The wrestler who changes his/her nationality shall not compete for his/her new country before a two years period starting from the date of his/her last participation to an Olympic Qualification Tournament or to Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cups, University Championships and Games, Military Championships and Games, Continental Championships and Games.

During this period, the wrestler is authorized to compete in international tournaments with his/her new country and club in the condition he/she has received the new passport, but not in competitions mentioned in the previous paragraph.

A country may induct a foreign wrestler requesting his/her new nationality at the rate of one wrestler per style and per year.

A wrestler who has not received FILA agreement for the change of nationality may not compete for his/her new country even if he/she has obtained the new nationality. Any incomplete file will not be taken into consideration.