FIFA ease rules on transfer window

Football's governing body have been forced to relax their rules over transfers and today confirmed they will allow outofcontract players to sign for new clubs at any time.

FIFA have been criticised by clubs for implementing the transfer window, which closed on 31 August and will not open again until January.

There were fears the system could see some smaller clubs struggling if injury lists became too long ahead of the window reopening.

However, former Rangers defender Tony Vidmar became the first unemployed player to be allowed to move outside of the window when he joined Middlesbrough this week.

Now FIFA have written to all national associations to explain that players who were not employed by any club when the window closed at the end of last month can move before it reopens in January. In the letter, FIFA say: "The strict application of the transfer registration periods would cause serious inconvenience to players still looking for a club to sign them on, since on the one hand they would have no income and on the other they would not be allowed to register for a new club when the official transfer window has closed."

Heribert Bruchhagen, managing director of Germany's Football League, said: "This decision came out of a clear blue sky. I didn't think that FIFA would react so quickly. I'm delighted for the players that this will help."