The Dutch football association has written to all amateur football clubs warning them about the implications of new rules covering short-term contracts, which come into effect on July 1.

Temporary contracts are common in amateur football and the new rules will give workers the right to severance pay if a contract is not renewed. In addition, some staff will be entitled to permanent contracts if they have had several temporary ones.

Football clubs which don’t take this into account could end up in financial trouble, the Telegraaf warns.

The social affairs ministry admitted the situation in amateur football is ‘special’ but has refused to make an exception for the sector, the Telegraaf says.