Personal Consideration in Professional Football Contracts

HRMARS - This study examines contracts based on personal consideration, in which the personality of the contractor or a specific personal attribute constitutes a fundamental element in contract formation and a decisive motive for contracting. Such contracts are established primarily on trust, personal conviction, and reliance on the individual qualities of the contractor. With the United Arab Emirates emerging as a prominent sports hub in the Middle East, particularly through the growing professionalism of football and the attraction of local and international players, understanding the role of personal consideration in professional sports contracts has become increasingly important. The research aims to clarify the concept of personal consideration as a general principle in contract formation and to analyze its specific effects on sports contracts, especially in relation to the selection of contractors and the execution of contractual obligations. The significance of this study lies in the limited legislative and jurisprudential attention given to personal consideration, despite its substantial impact on professional sports contracts and their stability. Adopting a descriptive approach supported by analytical analysis, the study is structured around two main themes: the concept of personal consideration in contracting, and its effects on the contractual process. The study concludes that contracts founded on personal consideration are inherently fragile, as they are directly affected by factors such as the death of the contractor, changes in legal capacity, or bankruptcy. Moreover, such contracts impose an obligation of personal performance, reinforcing the central role of the contractor’s identity in maintaining the validity and continuity of the contractual relationship.