WINDOW GETS SHUT EARLIER
...but loan possibility remains
THE EFL transfer window will close following the opening game of the season next term – rather than at the end of August.
The clubs voted through the proposals which will see the window for permanent transfers from another club shut on Thursday, August 9 (5pm). This brings the EFL in line with the Premier League, which opted to make the same move back in September.
However, EFL clubs will still be able to :
• Sign players on Standard Loan up to August 31, 2018
• Sign players on Standard Loan up to August 31, 2018 with an option to agree a permanent transfer when the next window opens
• Register players who ceased to be registered with a club during the period up until August 31, 2018
• Transfer players out to a club in any League whose window is still open
The change is designed to bring greater stability to the game and will no doubt delight managers, who were frustrated at losing key players in the opening weeks of the season having done all their preparation. The new EFL season kicks off on August 4.
Options
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “After discussing the options throughout the course of the last few months, I’m pleased that the matter has been determined by clubs ahead of the start of next season.
“This new approach will give clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of month if required.”
Meanwhile, clubs also adopted new policy guidance in regard to what constitutes a ‘full strength’ team.
Following widespread criticism in the closing weeks of the 2016/17 season – largely following Huddersfield’s decision to field a weakened team at Birminhgam it was agreed the EFL would work up a policy to determine what constitutes a ‘full strength’ team to remove any ambiguity and further potential reputational damage to the EFL and their competitions.
Clubs have now supported the implementation of guidance on the following basis: ‘For any League match played on or after the fourth Thursday in March (including season 2017/18), any team sheet for a League game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the League match before.’
In the event any club breaches the threshold, they may be charged with a breach of Regulation 24 and the matter will be referred to a disciplinary commission.
In addition, the EFL have confirmed that goal-line technology, which was introduced into the Sky Bet Championship in 2017/18, will be in operation at this year’s Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two SemiFinal Play-Offs.