Fifa set to pass blanket rule on automatic contract extensions

Fifa is reportedly set to rule that all clubs and international teams must extend contracts of players and coaches until the end of the postponed 2019/20 season.

An internal document presented to Fifa’s Coronavirus Working Group has suggested the measure, but the governing body have not formally announced a decision.

Fifa likely to prescribe automatic contract extensions

Press agency Reuters obtained access to the document which was discussed by members of Fifa’s Working Group on 26 March.

A statement from Fifa on the establishment of its Coronavirus Working Group revealed that the governing body would “assess the need for amendments or temporary dispensations to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players’ to protect contracts for both players and clubs and adjusting player registration periods.

“This work has already started and will be conducted in consultation with all key stakeholders, including confederations, member associations, clubs, leagues and players.”

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has made it clear that football will not resume until it does not clash with the best interests of humanity as a whole.

“These are difficult days, it is a difficult time, and we have one big opponent, it is coronavirus, it is COVID-19,” the FIFA President said after attending a video conference alongside WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

 “This is a global problem…and global problems require global solutions, just as exceptional situations require exceptional measures,” the Fifa president said.

“We have to pull all on the same side. We have to work together. We have to fight the coronavirus, this is the first priority, and everyone has to realise that this is serious. Football comes second. First we have to win this match against coronavirus and then we will deal with football matters.”

Concerning the future of football, Infantino assured that support from Fifa would be forthcoming to deal with the circumstances. Football’s big boss urged solidarity within football and broader society as solutions to the global coronavirus crisis are sought.

“We have to work on (football matters), we have to work on the future and assessing the damage to football as well, but that is not the priority right now,” he said. 

“We will do it and then we will come back stronger. We will come back with new ideas, new formats, with whatever football needs, but now it is time to fight coronavirus all together, as a team.”

Fifa has pledged US$10 million to support the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund established by the World Health Organisation.