Following Villa Park talks, big changes are coming to the English Football League

The EFL are an organisation that have taken a lot of flack from fans, and clubs, in recent years. However, some changes to the structure of the leagues run by the EFL will be coming, as soon as - well - now. Since Villa’s status is not yet confirmed with their promotion campaign still ticking over, it’s worth considering some of these coming changes.

The major change that will be taking place will be the reduction of the Summer transfer window. The Premier League will close their window before the start of the league season, and so will every EFL league after a vote at Villa Park returned that decision. Basically, after Thursday the 9th of August at 5pm, Clubs won’t be able to make permanent signings, transfer players out or make free signings. Loan deals can be agreed until the end of August, though.

Another rule adjustment is that of ‘full-strength’ teams. Check this out from the EFL website:

‘Following the widespread attention the matter of team selection received in the closing weeks of the 2016/17 season, it was agreed the EFL would work up a policy to determine what constitutes a ‘full strength’ team to remove any ambiguity and further potential reputational damage to the EFL and its competitions. Clubs supported the implementation of guidance on the following basis: ‘for any League match played on or after the fourth Thursday in March (including Season 2017/18), any team sheet for a League game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the League match before.’ In the event any club breaches the threshold, they may be charged with a breach of Regulation 24 and the matter will be referred to a Disciplinary Commission.’

Basically, it’s to stop teams discriminating against ‘lesser’ opposition and ensure an even playing field.

Either way, let us hope Villa fall under the Premier League rulebook, otherwise we’ll need to be studying the EFL lexicon once more. UTV.