Coronavirus: Fifa launch measures to curb players leaving clubs before end of the season

Players whose contracts expire at the end of the season and were hoping to make a switch have been dealt a blow as global football governing body Fifa plans on applying stringent measures to curb the coronavirus.

According to reports from The Times, players will have to stay at their current club for much longer despite their contract having expired if the campaign to curb the virus continues.

Players such as Chelsea duo Willian and Pedro Rodriguez were hoping to walk out of Stamford Bridge in the summer when their contracts run out.

Brazilian Willian has in recent times been strongly linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich, after slowly falling out of favor in London for the likes of the much younger trio of Callum Hudson Odoi, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic.

The Premier League return date was pushed back to April 30, 2020, but that date already seems unlikely to materialize with the killer bug taking more lives in recent weeks.

New rules by Fifa are also set to impact transfers that have already been agreed as the body looks to minimize travel among players.

Presumably, that would also include the deal for Hakim Ziyech to Chelsea.

New contracts are also set to be delayed at least until the new season is underway - with the dates yet to be announced since the current campaign is in limbo.

"This is an unprecedented time for football. It is very likely that any such completion will occur after the original end date of the season," a FIFA document reads as seen by The Sun.

According to Article 27 or the Fifa regulations, "cases of force majeure shall be decided by the Fifa council, whose decisions are final."

Force majeure is a French term meaning superior force.

Basically, the regulations stipulate that a party can be excused from fulfilling their expected obligations if there is existence of circumstances which are beyond human control (superior force).

In England, the FA recently voided non-league football competitions below the National League meaning there will be no promotions or relegations in those tiers.