Chelsea could field new signing Hakim Ziyech before the end of the current Premier League season under new FIFA rules.
World football's governing body has announced new "new temporary regulatory amendments" as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
The new measures are the result of thirteen different workshops involving member associations, confederations, the World Leagues Forum (WLF) and the European Club Association (ECA).
Players can now play for up to three clubs in a single season, where two was the previous limit.
Member associations have also been cleared to open their transfer window before the season has been completed.
The new measures are as follows
· In order to avoid any concerns regarding unemployed players, players are permitted to be registered with a maximum of three clubs and are eligible to play in official matches for three clubs during the same season.
· In order to give priority to clubs to complete their (2019/20) season with their original squad, provide flexibility, and allow MAs to properly plan their football calendar, those associations following a dual-year calendar are permitted to commence the “first registration period” for the 2020/21 season prior to the completion of the 2019/20 season, subject to certain conditions.
· In order to provide financial relief to parties involved in disputes before FIFA, for any claim lodged between 10 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 (both inclusive), there will be no requirement to pay an advance of costs and no procedural costs shall be ordered, and for any claim lodged prior to 10 June 2020 which has yet to be decided, the maximum amount of the procedural costs shall be equivalent to any advance of costs paid.
In the case of Ziyech, his Chelsea contract is due to begin on July 1. The Moroccan international has joined from Ajax, whose season was called to an early halt as a result of coronavirus.
Therefore, however unlikely, Frank Lampard could use Ziyech for Chelsea's games that come after July 1.
A full list of FAQs is available on FIFA's website.
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