THE Joint Response Group has been examining the optimum summer transfer window for Scottish football clubs, with consideration to the impact of COVID-19 on domestic and international movement of players.
A request submitted by the Scottish FA to open the transfer window from today (Tuesday, 14 July) until midnight on Monday, 5 October has now been approved by FIFA.
In arriving at the recommendation the JRG’s Regulation Sub-Group took into account the following circumstances:
– FIFA has confirmed that the summer transfer window cannot exceed 12 weeks. The staggered start dates to SPFL competitions and the need to try to strike an appropriate balance to allow all clubs to prepare for the new season.
– MD1 of the Betfred Cup is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 October.
– The recommendation from the European Leagues and UEFA that European associations close their transfer windows on 5 October.
– That the SPFL Board has approved, subject to approving the Regulations, amended loan principles for the coming season which extend the existing October Loan Window for League One and Two Clubs to also cover Championship clubs.
– Alignment, so far as possible, with other leagues and associations.
FIFA has also confirmed that the first registration period for Scottish Women’s Football will be from Wednesday, 15 July until Tuesday, 6 October.
Peterhead manager Jim McInally is glad that there has been a re-think as he explained: “I am glad that this has been looked into. We are not due to start pre-season training until September and at that stage I do not think I will know what the make-up of my squad is. It would not have been fair to anyone to set-up a loan deal before then.”
