In order to help clubs during the coronavirus pandemic, FIFA has stated that it will allow the transfer window to open before the end of the delayed 2019-20 season.
A statement released on Thursday by the world governing body acknowledged: “To give priority to clubs to complete their 2019-20 season with their original squad, provide flexibility and allow associations to plan their football calendar properly, those associations are allowed to begin the ‘first registration period’ for the 2020-21 season, subject to certain conditions, before the completion of the 2019-20 season.
“To avoid any concerns about the unemployed players, players are allowed to register with a maximum of three clubs and are available to compete in official matches for three clubs in the same season.
“In order to offer financial compensation to parties engaged in disputes before FIFA, there would be no need to pay an advance of costs on any claim made between 10 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 (both inclusive), and no administrative costs shall be required.
“The maximum amount of procedural costs shall be equivalent to any advance of costs paid for any claim lodged before 10 June 2020 which has yet to be decided.”
However, Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, has already said England’s top flight will not allow clubs to sign players before July 25, after the delayed campaign is over. Most leagues in the European Union have identical plans.
