How the FA and Fifa's contract dispensation could impact Blackpool and players on expiring deals

Clubs could be able to sign players on short-term contracts if season is prolonged. Picture: Getty

What happens next with football in England and Blackpool is currently unclear as football organisations try to work out how to proceed after the coronavirus outbreak forced the postponement of the league season.

The Seasiders are in a comfortable position in the League One, sitting 13th, all but safe from relegation, while at the same time out of the running of promotion despite there being 27 points left to play for.

The season is currently postponed until 3 April, but there are doubts it will return by then due to the severity of the virus.

There has been plenty of speculation as to how the league will continue or how it is decided.

The FL released a statement on Monday asking for “cool heads” and stating it feels “inappropriate to respond to the many hypothetical solutions being suggested whilst the many unknowns remain”.

If the current League One campaign does return and it is prolonged beyond the end of June, FIFA and the FA may grant special dispensation on contracts, according to The Athletic.

It would allow short-term rolling deals for players out of contract on June 30.

That would mean clubs can sign players to week-by-week contracts. It would be a big deal for Blackpool with a host of players out of contract and a number of players on loan.

Those out of contract at the end of June are Mark Howard, Jay Spearing, Sean Scannell, Chris Maxwell, Ollie Turton and Armand Gnanduillet.

It is unclear what it means for loan players, both those set to return to their parent clubs and those due to return to Bloomfield Road. Some of those set to leave after their temporary spell are Jak Alnwick, Ben Heneghan and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who all have loan deals until the end of May.

An Athletic source outlined potential issues for clubs with agents possibly looking to take advantage of the situation.

They were told: “You can guarantee agents will demand lucrative bonuses for themselves and their player if he is seen as crucial to club’s success for that immediate goal.”