Fifa loophole gives players more power

European Union law:Several of the Premiership's leading players will be in a position to walk away from their clubs this summer by exploiting a clause in Fifa-adopted European Union law. Article 17 of the regulations for the status and transfer of players allows the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry to buy out their contracts at Chelsea and then negotiate a move elsewhere.

The former Hearts defender Andy Webster made history by terminating his contract at the end of last season. Fifa ratified Webster's move to Wigan on September 4th, seemingly creating a legal precedent for the conduct of international football transfers. The ruling utilised suggests Hearts would only be entitled to an amount equal to Webster's salary for the remainder of his contract as compensation.

This legislation could allow a raft of top Premiership names to follow suit. Referred to as the "protected period", if a player's contract was signed prior to reaching the age of 28 then, provided he has completed three entire seasons or three entire years, he is permitted to end the deal with 15 days' notice. If the contract was signed after his 28th birthday, only two seasons or years must be served. "The protected period refers to any players regardless of their age," said a Fifa spokesman, responding to a misconception within the game that the rule is applicable only to players aged 28 and over.

In addition to Terry and Lampard, Chelsea's Arjen Robben, Manchester United's Alan Smith, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg are among a list of players in a position to take advantage of the stipulation come the end of the season.

Regardless of the fact that he may immediately negotiate with a new employer, as a free agent he personally must pay compensation to his former club and, although that fee is officially decided by a Football League or Premier League appeals committee, it is likely to be the amount that remained in his contract.