Football was plunged into deep uncertainty last night after FIFPRO, the players' union, threatened legal action over the future of the world transfer system which could paralyse world football.
The entire process was thrown into turmoil after both FIFA, UEFA and FIFPRO submitted new proposals to the European Commission in Brussels yesterday morning. This was followed by the players' organisation's threat to challenge any FIFA-proposed changes in court.
Players' representatives are angry at the FIFA proposals, some of them new, which include a one-year ban for players who unilaterally break contracts. If injured during that period, the punishment would be suspended and reinstated once they returned to fitness.
FIFA also wants all players aged 28 or under to honour contracts for a minimum of three years and for clubs to be compensated for players who move even if they have fallen out of favour with their team.
Yesterday's developments mean that uncertainly for clubs in the transfer market is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, with few willing to risk millions on players until the structure of any new transfer system is secured.
Scottish club Airdrie's future remains as precarious as ever. Wednesday's removal of former Scotland striker Steve Archibald by liquidators KPMG as manager and potential buyer will leave the first division club with just six players at midnight tonight when the contracts of 13 Archibald signings expire.
Airdrie were to have been at home to Peterhead in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup today but that tie will not now go ahead. KPMG's joint liquidator Blair Nimmo revealed it had been decided not to field a team of players because they had been signed by Archibald and he believed that would put off potential suitors.
As a result, Peterhead, the tiny third division club in their first league season, have been awarded a bye into the next round after the Scottish Football Association turned down a plea for the tie to be postponed. Nimmo insisted the door was still open for a new suitor to negotiate the purchase of a club that, more than a year into administration, still owes creditors around £2 million.
Manchester United defender Jaap Stam is confident the Manchester United players will still be together and winning trophies after Alex Ferguson retires. Stam has agreed a one year extension to his contract which will keep him at the club until 2006 and under his new terms his salary will be doubled. Stam (28), is delighted with the agreement and he hopes to end his career with United.
