Sunderland issued with EFL proposals to resolve contract problems

Sunderland and their fellow EFL clubs have been sent a series of proposals that could be implemented to try and navigate the complex issue of player contracts expiring on June 30th.

Sunderland have twelve players due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign, though some of those are loan deals from other clubs.

The EFL remain determined to conclude the season behind closed doors when safe to do so, but they have estimated that this could take 56 days.

With the nationwide lockdown continuing, it therefore seems certain that the campaign will have to continue intoJuly, which could leave clubs without the services of many of their players.

FIFA have already proposed a blanket extension of all contracts until the end of the current campaign, but there are some doubts over the legal and financial implications of doing so.

Under proposals seen by this paper, the EFL has as such suggested three options that could ave rt the potential crisis.

They are proposing that Sunderland and fellow clubs have until June 23rd to either offer a new contract or a shortterm extension to the current contract that will expire at midnight on the final day of the season. If clubs do not wish to do either of those things, the players in question will be released on June 30th. They would be free to join another club butt heEFL is proposing that they will not be eligible to play until the start of a new campaign.

Crucially, the EFL is proposing to push back the date on which clubs will be able to approach players at other clubs regarding a free transfer –from the third Saturday in May to June 24th.

In the case of players under the age of 24, theEFL is proposing a fourth option to ensure that clubs would still be entitled to vital compensation in the event that their talented prospects move on.

They propose that clubs have until four days after the last day of the season (or June 23rd if that date comes earlier) to offer a deal on‘ no less favour able terms’ than the player’s current contract.

If a new deal or short-term extension is not agreed, the EFL propose they could enter into a week-by-week or conditional contract.

A number of EFL clubs want players due to be released to play through July as they will receive a severance payment for that month.

TheEFL do not object to this in principle.