Sheffield Wednesday players will be able to walk away from contracts before season end, says sports lawyer

Initial reports had suggested that in the event of a season overrunning due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, clubs would automatically be given the option of extending player contracts.

But the power still lies very much with the players, so says Simon Leaf, head of sport at London-based law firm Mishcon de Reya, and that players wishing to leave clubs will be well within their rights to do so.

Sheffield Wednesday have a number of players whose contract expires at the end of June, including long-serving first-team figures Fernando Forestieri, Kieran Lee and Sam Hutchinson.

Manager Garry Monk has made it clear the Owls would like to extend the stays of top-scorer Steven Fletcher and left-back Morgan Fox and have tabled contract offers, with the futures of unnamed others also under consideration.

“Under English law, it wouldn’t be possible to force players to continue to play beyond the June 30 date, which has received so much attention recently, nor would it be possible force them into taking wage cuts or deferrals,” warned Leaf.

“For now, it looks as though clubs will continue to voluntarily ask players to take such steps. However, clubs, players and agents will be all too aware there are strict FIFA regulations that apply internationally, which prevent clubs from putting pressure on players in this way.

“We could end up seeing clubs not only facing censure from the football authorities but also players legitimately being able to walk away from their contracts and joining other clubs early.”

Authorities are yet to address question marks over the legislation around loan contracts. Wednesday have five players on loan, including four regular first-teamers in Jacob Murphy, Josh Windass, Connor Wickham and Alessio Da Cruz. It is thought the loan system will be tweaked to allow a simple extension, made agreeable by the player and both clubs.

Further complications may arise in the opening of the summer transfer window, currently set for June 10, with clubs likely to be relying on player sales to cover the loss of matchday revenue.