FIFA says players also allowed to play for up to three clubs, instead of two, during the course of a season in temporary rule change
Friday 12 June 2020 08:17, UK
Football associations can open their transfer windows before the current season is finished under new temporary regulations issued by FIFA.
The world governing body has also announced that players can be registered for and play for up to three clubs - rather than the usual two - during the same season.
FIFA's regulations allow member associations to open windows immediately if they wish, but it does not mean clubs in England will suddenly be allowed to trade players.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has already said its clubs will not be permitted to sign players before July 25, after the delayed 2019-20 campaign is brought to an end.
And Sky Sports News revealed earlier this week that the FA is discussing moving the domestic window to August until October, building consensus with other countries to ensure it is in line with the rest of Europe.
The French Football Federation (FFF) opened their domestic window on Monday, with their leagues having already been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but they are also said to be looking at an August-to-October window for international transfers.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC), meanwhile, has already confirmed their transfer window will take place from September 1 to October 5, with the Serie A season also set to resume later this month.
FIFA has set the parameters and offered the necessary guidance and regulatory changes, but it is down to the individual member associations to confirm their transfer window opening and closing dates.
The Premier League 2019/20 season will provisionally restart on Wednesday, June 17 and Sky, the UK's leading football broadcaster, will make 25 games available 'free to air' - including Everton vs Liverpool on the first full weekend back - for everyone in the UK to enjoy.
Sky Sports will show 64 live Premier League games when the season resumes. In addition to the 39 matches already scheduled to be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports before the coronavirus interruption, 25 more matches will be available on both Sky Sports Premier League and Sky's free-to-air Pick channel, allowing the whole nation to be part of the return of live sport.
To celebrate the return of the Premier League, Sky Sports will also launch a host of innovative new features and updates to give fans an even more immersive experience and share the moments live with family and friends on virtual platforms.
