FIFA tightens rules for loans: “Intended to prevent clubs from hoarding players”

Duration & number limited

The world association FIFA has tightened the international regulations for the loan of players for the coming season. From 1 July, among other things, the possible length of a loan will be limited to one year and the number of players a club can loan out. That was decided by the FIFA Council with German member Peter Peters on Wednesday at the Qatar World Cup venue in Doha. The new rules “are intended to promote the development of young players and sporting balance and to prevent clubs from hoarding players,” FIFA said in a statement.

In the future, a loan must cover at least the period between two registration periods – this means a half-series for Germany. At the same time, a player may be loaned out for a maximum of one year. In addition, it is forbidden that professionals who have already been loaned out are passed on to third-party clubs.

In the future, a club may only loan three players to a specific club during a season. In addition, the total number of loans per season for each club is limited: From the 2022/23 season, a club may hire out or hire out a maximum of eight professionals. That number drops to six professionals from July 1, 2024. Players up to the age of 21 and players that a club has trained themselves are not covered by the rule. The new rules must be incorporated into national regulations by each FIFA member association within three years.

“Loan army” like at Chelsea FC will soon no longer be possible

Several top European clubs rely heavily on loaning out players. Chelsea FC, for example, became famous with their so-called “loan army”. There are currently a total of 23 professionals under contract with the Londoners (professionals & U23) who are currently playing for other clubs.

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