A number of Premier League players whose contracts were due to expire this summer may be forced to remain at their respective clubs a little longer than they expected.
According to a new report, FIFA are drawing up a plan which would see all expiring contracts extended until the season ends, with new contracts delayed until the new season is underway.
The coronavirus outbreak has brought professional football in England to a standstill, with all games suspended until April 30 at the earliest.
But reports on Thursday suggested that the professional game will not resume at the end of April, and a new return date will be confirmed by the Premier League and EFL next week.
The document, which is referred to in a report by The Times, claims the current outbreak is a “force majeure” — an unforeseen situation that prevents contracts from being fulfilled.
"The document also says that status gives FIFA’s council the power to introduce a set of emergency measures that would include a restriction on player movement until leagues are completed, even including players who have agreed a summer transfer to another club," the report released on Friday states.
If the reported document from FIFA is correct, then players across the Premier League and EFL could be forced to remain at their clubs well into the summer months.
This would include Chelsea stars Willian, Pedro and Olivier Giroud, who are all out of contract this summer.
Several other players from Chelsea and their Premier League rivals are also out of contract at the end of the current campaign, including Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen and goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
