How FIFA plan to solve the issue of contracts expiring during shutdown at clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday

With competitive football suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, there have been growing concerns regarding players whose contracts are due to expire in the summer, as well as the status of the upcoming transfer window.

Players at Sheffield Wednesday whose current deals end in the summer include Steven Fletcher, Fernando Forestieri and Morgan Fox.

With no date of resumption in sight, the determination of organising bodies such as the EFL to complete the 2019/20 season is likely to push matches beyond June 30, when contracts will expire.

But, according to reports, FIFA have drawn up a list of proposals - understood to have been accepted unanimously - and will expect national associations to co-operate on them.

The most pressing matter covered is contracts, which will simply be extended until the final day of the 19/20 season.

Players that have signed pre-contract agreements with other clubs will be expected to remain with their current employers and fulfil obligations until the season is finished.

If clubs find themselves unable to afford to pay players through the extended season, FIFA will encourage both sides to work together towards an agreement. Should agreements not be reached, the matter will pass to FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber or Players’ Status Committee to analyse the situation.

FIFA is also willing to allow contracts to be suspended during football’s shutdown if club’s are insured to do so and players can find alternative income.

Any players who have seen their contracts terminated during the pandemic will be allowed to sign for new clubs, even if the window for registrations is not open.

It will be left up to the individual associations to determine dates for the transfer window but they must only be open to the maximum of 16 weeks, as current regulations state.

On transfer windows, European governing body UEFA will look to find uniformity of dates as much as possible across the continent.