JFF hails FIFA’s guidelines on transfers, players’ contracts
JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) general secretary Dalton Wint believes that the new guidance from FIFA concerning issues such as the summer transfer window and player contracts will allow the federation to make informed decisions with regard to the local Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL).
The coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic has forced the indefinite suspension of the local league since March 12. There have been 63 confirmed cases in Jamaica, nine persons have recovered while there have been three deaths.
World football’s governing body released their COVID19 Football Regulatory Issues document yesterday detailing guidelines on how legal football matters such as transfers and player contracts should be treated as a result of the outbreak. The guidelines were developed by a task force led by FIFA vicepresident Vittorio Montagliani. Under the recommendations made with regard to the transfer window the release said “FIFA will be flexible and will allow the relevant transfer windows to be moved so they fall between the end of the old season and the start of the new season.” With regard to contracts that expire this year, they have proposed that deals “be extended until such time that the season does end.”
SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW
With the local summer transfer window running from July to August, Wint says that the proposed measures will allow the administration to be guided by a framework in which they can begin to answer questions regarding how business is conducted for this off season.
“It does help because we have to take our cue from FIFA and they have done the research and made the assessment on how [COVID-19] would impact the sport and that is why they made the recommendations,” Wint told The Gleaner. “It is in line with the way that we were thinking at the JFF.”
The RSPL was suspended with four matches left to play in the regular season. The Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) in a meeting held on March 30 reiterated their desire to resume the league, provided that it is safe to do so, based on recommendations by the Government and health officials. Wint says that if the season goes beyond July, he expects that it will require changes to the period.
“If we go back to normalcy early, then the transfer window would not be affected, but if we continue playing across the transfer window, then we would have to make adjustments. That is where the dilemma would be if we had to play across the transfer window,” he said.
When contacted on the matter, PLCA vice-chairman Carvel Stewart said he is pleased that FIFA is being adaptable to the situation.
“We had already stated that we would be asking the JFF to refer to FIFA to change our window. It would have to be related to when we think we can complete [the season]. It’s good to hear that FIFA is being flexible with this,” he said.