Fifa has changed the rule in relation to players playing for three clubs in a 12 month period.

A number of League of Ireland clubs experienced difficulties last season when attempting to sign players who had already played for two clubs during the season.

Cork City were particularly effected with both Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly missing half the season because they were forced to sit out until July 1st.

An FAI delegation met with Fifa representatives and brought to their attention the anomaly within Article 5 of its rules relating to the registration of players.

Difficulties arose from the fact that the rule operated from July 1st to June 30th and did not facilitate countries whose operated a summer football season.

"We took the decision to point it out to Fifa because we were not prepared to run the risk of receiving sanctions for breaching it," said League of Ireland director Fran Gavin.

"The change will greatly benefit the eircom League of Ireland and the players in it and is another example of the advantages to be had from having the association directly involved in the running of the league."

Section Three of Article 5 has been amended to accommodate countries who play summer soccer. It now reads:

"Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs. As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season provided he has fully complied with his contractual obligations towards his previous clubs. Equally, the provisions relating to the registration periods (article 6) as well as to the minimum length of a contract (article 18 paragraph 2) must be respected."