Fifa block summer transfers for out-of-contract stars and consider one-off third window next season
PREMIER LEAGUE players will be blocked from switching clubs before the delayed end of the season — even if they are out of contract. And Fifa are considering a one-off, third transfer window next term because the summer trading spell will be so short. The likes of Chelsea schemer Willian and Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen […]
PREMIER LEAGUE players will be blocked from switching clubs before the delayed end of the season — even if they are out of contract.
And Fifa are considering a one-off, third transfer window next term because the summer trading spell will be so short.
The likes of Chelsea schemer Willian and Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen will nominally be free agents from July 1.
Fifa’s legal director Emilio Garcia Silvero admitted they cannot demand contracts that expire in June be extended.
But he revealed they will simply refuse to ratify any attempts to register with another club until the 2019-20 season has been either completed or officially closed.
That will avoid players moving for the conclusion of the campaign.
Garcia Silvero said: “Fifa cannot extend the contracts beyond June 30 but the transfer windows will not be the same and the players will not be able to be registered.
“It means the market will not open on July 1.
“And if a loan ends on June 30, the player should return to his club but the window would not be open and the return transfer would not be processed.”
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The summer transfer window normally runs from July 1 to the start of September, with the other for the month of January.
But in the 2020-21 season, a third window is set to be introduced, possibly in October or November.
Fifa regulatory director James Kitching added: “This would be dealt with flexibly, as long as the total 16-week transfer period is not extended.”