Premier League chief discusses transfer window, VAR and five substitutes rule

Premier League clubs are pushing ahead with plans to resume the season next month but there is still plenty to be discussed

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has stated that specific dates for the summer transfer window are still to be decided but the window will not open while the campaign is being concluded.

The end of season window usually opens at the start of July and runs until the end of August but the original dates would clash with the resumption of the 2019/20 season, which is due to take place from June 17.

That has led to some concerns that clubs would be able to buy and sell players while matches are still being played but, while specifics are yet to be decided, Masters is adamant transfer business will not take place until the remaining matches are completed.

“We have had first discussions about it but no conclusions yet. Obviously, you have a moveable piece with lots of European leagues beginning and ending at different times, so I think there is a judgement call to be made and we will get to that in the next couple of weeks,” he told Sky Sports.

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“I suspect that isn’t going to be the case, the transfer window will open after the end of the season, it’s just a question of how long it goes on for.”

Masters also confirmed that there are no plans for VAR to be scrapped when the campaign resumes, despite IFAB changing the rules to allow for that to take place.

“VAR has its own social distancing issues but we think there is a way of completing the season with VAR so that’s absolutely our intention, to complete the season with VAR in place,” he explained.

“The hub itself could be a problem and if you can’t do the hub, you have to do it remotely and that’s what we are looking at.”

Another rule change approved by the IFAB is temporarily agreeing to increase the amount of substitutes in a match to five, something that has been adopted by the Bundesliga, and discussions on this matter are ongoing.

“The IFAB laws have changed, extra dispensation is possible and the Bundesliga decided to go to five substitutes.

“Our clubs will make that decision in the next few weeks on whether they want to or not. There are mixed views out there and we will come to a conclusion in the coming weeks.”