June 12 – FIFA have given official permission for football leagues across the world to be allowed to open transfer windows before their current seasons are over.
The green light is contained under new measures announced Thursday and approved by the Bureau of the FIFA Council in response to delays to leagues restarting because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In order to give priority to clubs to complete their (2019/20) season with their original squad, provide flexibility, and allow MAs (member associations) to properly plan their football calendar, those associations following a dual-year calendar are permitted to commence the ‘first registration period’ for the 2020/21 season prior to the completion of the 2019/20 season, subject to certain conditions,” the rules now state.
Covid-19 has thrown the usual summer window into disarray with months of action put on hold. The new measures could prompt a change of thinking among elite clubs in Europe, most of whose leagues were not planning to sign players before their seasons end.
Another significant amendment from FIFA relates to the number of clubs one player is permitted to register for and represent in official matches.
That number has traditionally stood at two but will now be increased to three in order to “avoid any concerns regarding unemployed players”.
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