FIFA’S PLAN TO SAVE FOOTBALL
Players MUST see out season, wages reduced
FIFA have drawn up plans to rescue the football season, with measures including extensions to player contracts and putting back transfer windows.
In a significant development, the game’s governing body have recognised the coronavirus pandemic as a force majeure — an unforeseen circumstance that prevents a contract from being fulfilled. FIFA regulations state that in such cases their council can make key amendments to how the season is run, although these could be subject to legal challenge.
A confidential document from FIFA’s working group on Covid-19 — seen by Sportsmail — was discussed for the first time yesterday. It opens the door for clubs to work with players to agree on
deferred or reduced salaries ‘by reasonable amounts for any period of work stoppage’. The plans could trigger a war with agents whose players are due to move this summer. One agent said: ‘I can see some situations heading for the courts.’ FIFA’s plans also drew criticism from one of the country’s leading sports lawyers. John Mehrzad QC said: ‘It is well established England and Wales law that any provision forcing an employee to work against their will is unenforceable. ‘FIFA could prevent a transfer (even that’s challengeable), but force them to play? No way.’ The proposals are split into categories and represent a ‘series of guiding principles’ for member associations:
EXPIRING CONTRACTS
FIFA say that while dates are written in contracts (usually July 1 to June 30) it is recognised that those dates are there to reflect a season. They state that this is ‘the true intention of all parties’. PROPOSAL: Expiring contracts should be extended until the new end date of this season. New contracts should be pushed back to the new start date of next season. In the case of overlapping seasons ‘priority must be given to the former club to complete their season with their original squad’.
EXISTING CONTRACTS
The outbreak has made training and matches impossible. FIFA say national employment laws will be leaned on. PROPOSAL: Clubs and employees will be encouraged to agree on deferral and reduction of salary. Alternatively, all agreements should be suspended during any work stoppage provided alternative income can be found.
TRANSFER WINDOWS
FIFA rules dictate that associations may modify dates under ‘exceptional circumstances’. Covid-19, they state, is clearly that. PROPOSAL: All requests for an extension of the current season finishing date will be approved. All requests to postpone windows that have not commenced will be approved. Member associations should be permitted to amend registration dates.
NATIONAL TEAMS
On March 13 it was agreed that rules which normally oblige clubs to release players to play for their country will not apply in March and April. A repeat is likely for June and July. No decisions have yet been made by FIFA and yesterday’s talks were described by one insider as ‘early stages’.