Football League debate window

FL face fight to retain exemption

Reluctantly, the Football League is set to follow the lead of the Premier League and implement a transfer window system at the end of the current season.

It was introduced to England’s top-flight four years ago and now, following a revised draft from FIFA executives, the FL faces a fight to retain its exemption.

The Premier League have a bi-annual window which opens for three months in the summer (1 June to 31 August) and again in January.

Major leagues have embraced transfer windows because they believe they encourage financial stability. They also satisfy the European Union due to the associated development of youth talent.

The Football League’s main concern is that it denies clubs vital income that could cause them to go out of business.

Their respected chairman Brian Mawhinney also explained:

“Of course, transfer windows work to the benefit of the Premier League clubs. The market value of players has been skewed in their favour, to the detriment of Football League clubs. In addition, transfer windows are making it increasingly hard for promoted clubs to compete effectively in the Premier League, as they have so little time following promotion to increase the strength of their squad. Neither of these facts enhance the overall health of the professional game in this country.”

Talks will continue until December but it is expected that the Football Association will be ordered to implement a transfer window system across the professional game from the start of next season.