That is absolute rubbish, it only applies to free agents at the time the window closed.
There are definitely examples of clubs adding free agents, outwith transfer windows.
Some papers have already suggeated we should be taking Sturridge on board now, as a free agent, to deal with our striker injuries. Exact same would apply to any player.
Not that I think it is even remotely likely to come to messi being available as a free agent. Just commenting on the mechanism, which i understand is fair game for free agents at any point outwith a window
Messi was under contract when the window closed - Sturridge wasn't. You have to out of contract at the time the window closes. Otherwise anyone could sign for anyone at any time by agreeing to cancel their contract first.
Jack Wilshire and Nyland both cancelled their contracts with their clubs on transfer deadline day to enable them to sign outside the window, if they waited a day they woul dhavebeen stuck until Jan.As i understand it, indeed anyone can, which is why it is so hard for contracts to be cancelled ot gotten out of.
This whole hypothetical is on the premise that messi/barca effectively cancel the contract and he is a free agent without a club.
I was not aware of that. Perhaps there is that subtlety to the detail, fair enough.Jack Wilshire and Nyland both cancelled their contracts with their clubs on transfer deadline day to enable them to sign outside the window, if they waited a day they woul dhavebeen stuck until Jan.
I think the football authorities are rather sensitive about contracts and won't tolerate their "cancellation" as a matter of convenience, especially in this case in which Barca appear to be "renegotiating" rather than "cancelling". The consent of the players would be necessary, especially for a 50% pay cut! Cancelling the contract unilaterally would have been unacceptable before FFP and the authorities would take a really dim view of it. Barcelona would have to admit they could not meet their obligations, the players would not be bound by a contract the club could not honour and, I think, could sign for another club and be registered. The only question would be how long the details of releasing players from contract would take, and how quickly Barca have to get Messi of the wage bill - can they wait until January to sell him and how much could they get? If he feels really malicious ...Messi was under contract when the window closed - Sturridge wasn't. You have to out of contract at the time the window closes. Otherwise anyone could sign for anyone at any time by agreeing to cancel their contract first.
That would be a real problem for Barcelona!He'd know what to do with the club.
Registration of Free Players
Notwithstanding the above, football clubs are allowed to register free players outside of the transfer windows. Article 6.1. of FIFA RSTP expressly stipulates that “a professional whose contract has expired prior to the end of a registration period may be registered outside that registration period”.
This exception is only applicable to professional players and to those whose contracts have expired (or been terminated) prior to a registration period. It is important to observe that national associations must give due consideration to the sporting integrity of competitions. Accordingly, national associations may fix a deadline for the registration of free players outside of a transfer window. In particular, it is common to see a prohibition to register players in the last rounds of a competition league (for example, within the last five or ten matches).
It is also important to clarify that if a professional player terminates his contract, for whatever reason, after the end of a registration period, he will not able to register with another club before the next registration period.