DBasia.news – FIFA as the World Football Federation issued the latest statement related to player contracts and the transfer market during the Corona virus pandemic. The statement is expected by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to be a middle ground for all parties.
The entire 2019/20 season schedule and ahead of next season are a mess because of the corona virus which has no certainty when it will end. FIFA tried to provide concessions in terms of player contracts and the transfer market.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly changed all the factual circumstances surrounding football for this season. So, FIFA, together with shareholders, has come up with some practical ideas and proposals to overcome this new situation,” Infantino said on the official FIFA website.
“While this will not solve every problem, it must serve to bring a measure of stability and clarity to football for the future.”
“We hope this collaborative effort, under FIFA’s leadership, can provide a positive example of how football can unite and show unity, solidarity and a spirit of compromise to face difficult times in the future.”
“But before these times come, one thing must be clear to everyone, especially now: health comes first, long before football.”
The discussion starts from the player contract that ends at the end of the season aka free agent. FIFA provides leeway so that their contract time is extended and it is expected that players, player agents, and clubs have a similar vision to solve the problem.
“Player contracts that expire usually end when the season ends, with termination dates that coincide with the end of the season. With the suspension of playing time in most countries, it is now clear that the current season will not end when people think it will end,” added a statement from FIFA
“Therefore, it is proposed that the contract be extended until the season is really over. This must be in line with the original intention of the parties when the contract was signed and also must maintain the integrity and stability of the sport.”
“The same principle applies to contracts that will start when the new season starts, which means the validity of the contract is postponed until the next season actually starts,” the statement said.
Player contracts usually expire in June or July and now FIFA is loosening them until the 2019-20 competition really ends. As for the summer transfer window, it still runs right between the end of this season and ahead of next season – the time is not yet certain.
“With regard to the transfer market, once again, it is necessary to adjust the normal regulatory position to the new factual circumstances. Thus, FIFA will be flexible and will allow the relevant transfer window to be moved so that it falls between the end of the old season and the start of the new season,” the statement added.
“At the same time, FIFA will try to ensure, if possible, the overall level of coordination and will also remember the need to protect the order, integrity and functioning of the competition, so that the sporting results of any competition are unfairly undisturbed.”
“Background and further details about the guidelines approved by the Bureau of the Board can be found in COVID-19: the Football Regulatory Issues document,” the FIFA statement explained.