FIFA set to Restrict Number of Player Loans in and out of Clubs

BoomRadioNG | January 20, 2022

The International body governing football worldwide, FIFA has announced that new regulations capping the number of international loans in and out at any club are to come into effect by July this year.

According to FIFA, the new rules are set with the intention of helping to develop young players, improve competitive balance and prevent the hoarding of players. These new rule was originally due to be implemented in July 2020 but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Provided the regulations are given final approval by the FIFA Council, between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 clubs will be limited to a maximum of eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out, dropping to seven in 2023-24 and remaining at six from 2024-25.

The rules do not however cover domestic loans, but FIFA has said national associations must bring their regulations in line within three years which is to be by July 1, 2025 at the latest.

These rules will be detrimental to clubs especially premier league clubs like Chelsea who currently have 21 players out on loan and Watford who currently have ten players out on loan

The changes are said to be a part of a wider reform of the transfer system which FIFA started in 2017.

The new rules also include the requirement for a written agreement defining the terms of the loan, the introduction of minimum and maximum loan terms (from one window to one year), a limit on the number of loans per season between the same clubs (three in, three out) and a prohibition on ‘sub-loaning’ to a third club.