Restrict window cheats says Hill
KEITH Hill would like to se tougher sanctions imposed on clubs spending beyond their means in the transfer window.
The Rochdale boss believes clubs are taking advantage of the system, accepting a transfer embargo long after they have spent beyond their means in putting together a squad of players.
Hill feels any club under such an embargo should be banned from fielding players bought during the open window.
“I want a squad of 24, with 22 outfield players and two goalkeepers,” said Hill.
“It’s important that I get that to withstand the pressures of a closed window. I think the closed window has been superb, it’s led to some great work on the coaching side of management in keeping a squad together.
“The one thing I am a bit reserved and apprehensive about is the fact that during an open window, clubs will start to spend money and then go under a transfer embargo, a financial embargo, once the window closes.
“It doesn’t serve any honest club any product whatsoever.
“There should be legislation on recruitment that if you do go into financial irregularities or you have an embargo placed upon you, then you can’t play any of those players that you’ve recruited during the open window.
“It’s one way of cheating the system.
“I know that you cannot cheat the financial system over a period of three, four, five years without having to pay penance, but you can do it over a window or two windows, and that can, over a period of 46 games, secure you either promotion or League One status.
“These are the sort of things that the Football League and the FA have really got to tighten up on.
“But I believe that a closed transfer window does work in developing young players and developing a team mental strategy for the course of the season.”