Zurich » In the coronavirus crisis, FIFA cleared the way for a possible extension of the football season beyond the previous end on June 30.
In a recommendation on Tuesday, the world association advocated that contracts from professionals be adjusted to the actual course of the currently interrupted season. Accordingly, expiring contracts should be able to be extended until the season is over. Player changes planned in summer should also only be carried out afterwards.
FIFA hopes and expects the guidelines to be followed “worldwide,” it said in a statement on the recommendations of a working group with representatives of clubs, players, leagues, national associations and the confederations. The German press agency had previously reported on Monday. The German Football League had recently emphasized that it wanted to end the season as planned on June 30. Playing in the federal leagues is currently interrupted until at least April 30.
“Even if these guidelines and recommendations don’t solve all problems, they should at least provide some stability and certainty in football for the near future,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This cooperation, led by FIFA, will hopefully show how football can close the ranks and overcome difficult times thanks to unity, solidarity and willingness to compromise.” FIFA recently recommended that all international matches scheduled for June be postponed indefinitely.
The world association also promised flexibility for the transfer windows in the respective countries. In Germany, players can change until August 31, according to the current status. However, if the season is longer than planned, the transfer period could be postponed.
The European Football Union UEFA had also given the national leagues more freedom. Thus, all June international matches were postponed “until further notice” on the continental level and the European Cup competitions were further postponed. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin announced that the Champions League and Europa League could end in August at the latest. Dates for the European club competitions for the 2020/21 season have also been postponed for the time being. For example, the admission process does not start as planned – this also enables a longer season in the national leagues.
