Exclusive: EFL clubs approve rule changes which will aid Sunderland's contract dilemma

As reported by the Echo last month, the EFL put forward a number of proposals in an attempt to help clubs deal with the contractual issues posed by the suspension of league action.

Contracts generally expire on June 30 but, with action in the EFL set to continue past that date, provisions were suggested to ensure that out of contract players would be able to play in any fixtures falling after this date.

And the Echo has exclusively learned that, while never publicly announced, the changes were approved by clubs at a meeting in late May.

Four main changes to contractual regulations have now been agreed:

- Rival clubs cannot approach players whose contracts expire on June 30 until June 24. Under previous rules, they were able to approach these players after the third Saturday in May.

- Clubs have until June 23 to offer players a new contract or release them.

- In the event that fixtures will continue past June 30, out of contract players can sign a short-term extension which will run until such a point as the 2019/20 season is completed.

- If a player leaves a club and agrees to sign for another, they will not be eligible for any fixtures until the 2020/21 campaign begins.

All changes are consistent with FIFA guidance issued in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

These adapted regulations apply to all three EFL divisions, but the final two points will likely only prove relevant to Championship clubs given that League One and League Two look likely to be curtailed in the coming weeks.

But it is the first point which bares most relevance for Sunderland, who see a dozen first-team contracts expire this summer.

In previous transfer windows, clubs would have now been able to approach the likes of Jon McLaughlin, Tom Flanagan and Kyle Lafferty with contract offers of their own – regardless of whether the Black Cats wished to retain their services.

But these changes ensure that no formal approach can be made to a player until June 24 – giving Sunderland additional time to agree new terms with players.

McLaughlin, in particular, has been heavily linked with a move away from Wearside this summer – with Blackburn Rovers thought to be keen on the Scot.

As it stands, Bailey Wright, Josh Scowen, Antoine Semenyo, Flanagan, McLaughlin, Alim Ozturk, Chris Maguire, Duncan Watmore, Lafferty, Ethan Robson, Joel Lynch and Declan John all see their contracts or loan spells at the Stadium of Light expire on or before June 30.

Sunderland have already released Tommy Smith after his short-term contract expired.

The Black Cats will have to submit their retained list by no later than June 23 under the new regulations – previously, this would have had to have been submitted by mid-May – but may announce contract extensions or departures before that point.