FIFA has made extensive changes to the rules for player loans. In a letter dated Thursday, the world football association announced several changes to the current regulations that will come into effect on July 1, 2022.
The time frame in which clubs are allowed to start loan transactions is limited. In the future, the time between two transfer periods will be defined as the minimum duration of a loan. A loan transaction may last a maximum of one year. During a loan, a player may no longer be transferred to a third club.
FIFA will also limit the number of possible loans in the future. From the summer, a club may only loan three players from the same club at the same time. In future, clubs will only be allowed to loan out a maximum of eight players at the same time and to lend out just as many. From summer 2023 the number will be reduced to seven players, from 2024 to six players.
The end of the loan armies?
However, FIFA leaves a back door open in the new set of rules: In order not to limit the development of talent too much, players who are 21 years of age or younger are exempt from these regulations.
Nevertheless, the new regulations will have an impact on various clubs. In Italy in particular, where the professional clubs do not have any reserve teams, it has been customary to park numerous players with other clubs. The so-called Loan Army of Chelsea FC is also famous. Such models will only be possible to a very limited extent in the future.
FIFA to introduce new loan regulations
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– FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 20, 2022
