FIFA Approves Late Transfer Window; FA Chairman's Warning; World Cup to Stay in Qatar and More (Football Round-up)
FIFA stated players who are due to be out of contract in the summer will be allowed to play on at their current club until the end of the domestic season (Pic:Twitter,City News).
FIFA approved plans to extend players contracts and moved the Premier League summer transfer window to allow the matches, postponed due to COVID-19, to be completed. FIFA endorsed a new set of guidelines on April 7 which extend the expiry of contracts of players beyond June. It would also allow the transfer window to be deferred beyond the end of August.
The task force, chaired by FIFA vice-president Vittorio Montagliani, along with representatives of clubs, players, leagues, national FAs and continental confederation, drafted these temporary solutions. The global governing body has also stated players who are due to be out of contract in the summer will be allowed to play on at their current club until the end of the domestic season. Players whose contracts are terminating will be allowed to sign for new clubs regardless of whether a window is open.
FA Chairman's Warning
English FA chairman fears the economic structure of football in England will collapse after Covid-19 lockdown (Pic courtesty: Twitter, BBC)
The chairman of England Football Association (The FA), Greg Clarke, warns clubs across the country could disappear due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In a speech to the FA Council on Tuesday, Greg Clarke said “Football faces economic challenges beyond the wildest imagination of those who run it. The pandemic will be followed by its economic consequences, and all business sectors will suffer.
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“we face the danger of losing clubs and leagues as the finances collapse. Many communities could lose the clubs at their heart with little chances of resurrection.” With sports on hiatus indefinitely, Clarke also contemplated the possibility of an unfinished season this year.
Dutch Plan to Restart Season on June 19
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) plans to resume the football season for its top two divisions without fans attending the matches on June 19. According to local media reports, this was announced after the clubs and major stakeholders held a meeting via conference call with players’ union, refereeing representatives, television rights holders and the supporters’ association on April 7. Clubs hope they could return to training by mid-May if the government permits them.
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This would keep the Dutch aligned with the decision of UEFA that states that all countries should try to complete their season, even if it is several months late. Although, there are some top Dutch clubs wanting the seasons to be cancelled. Date for the Dutch Cup finals are yet to be decided along with plans to shorten the end of season promotion relegation-playoffs. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused around 2,000 fatalities in the country.
World Cup to Stay in Qatar
It is highly doubtful the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be moved from Qatar despite the US Department of Justice’s indictment on bribery accusations of three senior FIFA officials for voting in favour of the Gulf state hosting the tournament.
With the subject of bribery, the senior officials stated that FIFA will take the allegations against the organisation seriously and will also consider all the implications but moving the tournament from Qatar will be highly unlikely.
The two of the three accused of bribery -- Nicolás Leoz and Nicola Grondona -- are dead. The third, Ricardo Teixeira, has not been banished to face any corruption charges against him by the department of justice considering the trial improbable.
Mourinho Admits Breaking Lockdown Rules
Jose Mourinho (Pic: Twitter, TranSpurs)
Tottenham Hotspur reminded the staff of the current rules and regulation regarding lockdown and asked players to respect the government’s guidelines after José Mourinho and members of the squad were pictured training at Hadley Common in north London, flouting government protocols of social distancing. Following that, Mourinho acknowledged his mistake of disregarding the social distancing guidelines and has promised to follow Government advice.
Mourinho said: “I accept that my actions were not in line with government protocol and we must only have contact with members of our own household. It is vital we all play our part and follow government advice in order to support our heroes in the NHS and save lives.”
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