As expected, FIFA will introduce stricter regulations for the loan of players from the coming season. In particular, the number and duration of loan deals will be restricted.
This was decided by the FIFA Council with the German representative Peter Peters on Wednesday before the 72nd Ordinary Congress of the Association in Doha/Qatar. The new rules, which come into force on 1 July, are intended to promote “the development of young players as well as sporting balance” and prevent “the hoarding of players by clubs”, FIFA announced. This affects several top European clubs, such as Champions League winners Chelsea FC.
The Blues have made a reputation for themselves by regularly loaning players such as Marko Marin to different clubs over the years (2012 to 2016 in this case). Currently, the Thomas Tuchel-coached Londoners, as reigning Champions League winners, list having loaned out a whopping 21 players at any one time.
In addition to the existing regulations, the number of loans between the same clubs during a season will be limited in future. Accordingly, a club may only loan a maximum of three professionals at a time to or from a specific club.
But especially in Italy, loan deals are a real business model. Atalanta Bergamo have 65 players on loan, while Juventus still have 39, according to transfermarkt.de.
Cap on loan deals from 2024
The upper limit of loan deals by a club at any point in a season is to be six professionals after a transition period from July 2024. Players up to the age of 21 and club-trained players will be exempt from the restrictions. To this end, the duration of loan deals will be limited to a maximum of one year.