The governing bodies of World and European football are on a collision course over plans which could allow players to walk out on their clubs at just three months' notice.
UEFA are furious over FIFA proposals to the European Commission for a radical reform of the conditions of contracts, and they have set a 10.30a.m. deadline this morning for them to withdraw the blueprint or face a bitter showdown.
Representative from 13 European leagues - including those from England and Scotland - are due to meet in Switzerland to discuss the issue, which seems certain to reach crisis point.
UEFA are concerned that individual players could decide to leave their clubs at just three months' notice if they were unhappy at being dropped or disagreed with the manager's tactics, throwing the game into turmoil.
Mike Lee, communications director of European football's governing body UEFA, said: "We have formally written to FIFA demanding they withdraw the document.
"The new proposals have been submitted without consultation and could undermine the whole negotiating process."
The future of the transfer system has been under review for some time, and few clubs are currently spending significant money amid concerns that a new regime could force a dramatic rethink.
Both organisations deny that there has been any serious split, but a meeting with EC officials scheduled for Friday was called off.
FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said: "Clearly there has been a difference of opinion. Both parties seem to have approached it from different angles. Maybe FIFA has a more global view than UEFA, which is strictly European."
Both sides will be hoping for an early resolution to the problem, as will the clubs who have waited anxiously to see what the future holds.
However, Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, who is also vice-chairman of the Football Association, is in little doubt that the proposals would be hugely damaging.
"If this were to be allowed to happen, it would kill the game as we know it," he told The Sunday Telegraph.
"It is totally impractical and unworkable. The sport would become unmanageable and I simply don't understand the rationale. Common sense must prevail and we'll be beating the drum furiously.
"It's more than FIFA dare to ignore those who put them in power. FIFA have put something forward without the consent of their most powerful confederation, which is unacceptable.
"It will make the chasm with UEFA wider than ever before. If this is true, then clearly the FIFA headquarters must be suffering from a severe dose of mad cow disease."
