FIFA has drawn up plans to rescue the current football season – which would see player contracts extended and transfer windows put back.
In a significant development, the global game’s governing body has recognised the current coronavirus crisis as a ‘force majeure’ – an unforeseen circumstance that prevents a contract from being fulfilled.
FIFA’s regulations state that in such cases their council can make amendments, which importantly they feel gives them the power to act.
A confidential document seen by Sportsmail by FIFA’s working group on Covid-19 to be discussed on Friday, also opens the door for clubs to work with players to agree on deferred or reduced salaries ‘by reasonable amounts for any period of work stoppage’.