Contracts move will boost Cats
CLUB CAN OFFER SHORT-TERM DEALS
CLUBS in the EFL will be allowed to offer players out of contract on June 30 a new short-term deal to enable them to finish the 2019/20 campaign with their club.
The EFL last month came up with a number of proposals in an attempt to help sides across all three divisions deal with contractual issues which have come about due to the action being halted.
Now a source close to the EFL has confirmed to the Chronicle the proposals were passed by clubs at a recent meeting and they are now able to implement them.
Sunderland have Jon McLaughlin, Chris Maguire, Luke O’Nien, Tom Flanagan, Joel Lynch and Alim Ozturk all approaching the end of their current deals on Wearside.
There are four main changes to contractual regulations clubs have agreed to and they are likely to most affect sides in the Championship.
The first one is that clubs cannot approach players whose contracts expire on June 30 until June 24.
Clubs now also have until June 23 to offer players a new deal or release them in the event fixtures continue past June 30.
Players out of contract on June 30 will be able to sign a short-term extension which will run until the 2019/20 season is finally completed.
A source close to the EFL has also confirmed all changes are consistent with FIFA guidance issued in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The EFL announced their intention to resume the 2019/20 season on June 20 on Sunday evening, three days after the Premier League season is expected to start.
England’s second-tier has been suspended since midMarch due to the coronavirus crisis but provisional plans are now in place for the return of matches.
The futures of League One and League Two were also discussed at last Wednesday’s EFL meeting. Just like before the meeting, the decision on how to finish their respective divisions remains up in the air, with discussions with both leagues set to continue. Meanwhile, it is also being reported some clubs in the Championship are believed to have received permission from the EFL to resume contact training. However, it is up to the club in question and not the EFL to confirm they have done so.