Is the window open or closed?

Last updated : 29 August 2002 By Tony Scholes
Having witnessed the farcical UEFA Champions League draw this afternoon it is easy to come to the conclusion that none of the associations responsible for running the game inspire any confidence whatsoever.

Unfortunately once again a piece of farce is going to effect our own Football Club and as yet we don't know whether we will be able to sign any players next week. The answer because of the finances is obviously no but the question of whether we will be hit by the new transfer windows remains unclear.

FIFA have introduced transfer windows that now only allows transfers during the close season and in January, outside of those times the windows remain firmly closed.

The Football League have fought this from the outset but just hours before the window closes still do not know if they are exempt. Apparently FIFA will tell them next week and so the Football League are now presuming that they will be able to continue as normal for a few extra days.

The Football League's Director of Communications John Nagle said today, "It's obviously very frustrating that we are just days away from an artificial transfer deadline that we have opposed for the best part of a year, yet still don't know if FIFA are going to recognise our objections.

"That said we remain confident of reaching an agreement as FIFA have indicated that they are open to considering a more flexible arrangement than previously seemed possible and with that in mind the League has made proposals, through the FA, that should be acceptable to both parties.

"The League has the support of the FA and Premier League to continue with the existing 'open' system until a response has been received by FIFA, therefore clubs will be able to continue signing and registering new players, including loan players from Premier League clubs."

FIFA are apparently well on top of the situation and have as now only reached the point of trying to translate the Football League documents. How on earth can we have any faith in the game's governing body?

Their spokesman Andreas Herren said, "The principle of transfer windows cannot be removed. It is one of the cornerstones of our agreement with the European Commission.

"If there is any dispensation it would just be for a transitional period to soften the impact.

"We had a first proposal from the Football League which was too drastic, and our legal department are now lookign at a second proposal. A decision is not likely to come until next week.


FIFA, UEFA, FA, Football League - they all just appear to be something of a joke now. What hope is there for the game with this lot running it? A year gone by and they haven't even got past the stage of translating the documents.