Premier League clubs agree to extensions for out-of-contract players

March 2, 2020 Arsenal's Sokratis Papastathopoulos celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS

Premier League clubs are able to offer short-term contract extensions to players whose deals are expiring in June.

England's top-flight football clubs are allowed to offer short-term contract extensions to players whose deals are due to expire on June 30, the Premier League announced on Thursday.

The Premier League, which has been suspended since March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is planning a restart in June and its 20 clubs discussed players' contracts at a meeting on Monday.

"At Monday's shareholders' meeting, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to be allowed to enter into short-term contract extensions with players whose deals are due to expire on 30 June of this year," read a statement released on Thursday.

"What we decided today is to ensure as far as possible that clubs complete the season with the same squad they had available prior to the suspension of the campaign," said Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive. "Players can extend their contracts beyond 30 June until the end of the season, but it must be agreed by both parties."

Clubs and players have until June 23 to agree extensions.

British elite and professional athletes are allowed to resume performance training under new guidance published on Wednesday and the Premier League has consulted players and managers over a planned resumption in training next week.