Transfer rules – what a joke

Not being under contract applies to Grant and so Crewe completed the signing, or so they thought, but the signing was rejected by the Football League because the player had actually been with Bristol City on a week to week deal at the time the transfer window closed.

The fact that Bristol City eventually decided against signing him makes no difference and that means that Grant, currently unemployed, cannot sign for anyone until 1^st January next year, which basically means he is being prevented from working in his chosen profession. Ridiculously an unemployed player can only be taken on provided he was not employed when the window closed.

Tony Grant is now expected to see advice from the Professional Footballers’ Association but unless anything can be resolved, and a solution looks unlikely, he will have to remain unemployed, in football terms, for another two and a half months.

Dario G said, “With the rule as it is at the moment he is unsignable, which seems harsh on him because I would imagine he has a family to look after and no income coming in now until January.

“It is something he and his agent have overlooked and I can see why that could happen because it really is difficult to foresee that problem arising when you are only on a week to week contract – but unfortunately that is the ruling and it is a nuisance.”

There was some good news for the ex-Claret, with Crewe prepared to wait for him. Dario G concluded, “If we were to sign him, I am sure no one would be offended by it except the rule makers. In the meantime he is still able to come here and train with us and we would be prepared to wait for him until the window reopens on 1^st January.”