New contracts to allow tougher punishment of players

An overhaul of disciplinary sanctions allowed by footballers' contracts is being planned in the wake of controversial incidents involving Dennis Wise and Lee Bowyer. Discussions between the Football Association and the players' union are already under way with the aim of increasing permitted punishments in exceptional cases.

The move follows criticism of last week's ruling by a Football League tribunal which barred Leicester City from sacking Wise for allegedly breaking the jaw of his team-mate Callum Davison. The only alternative action available to Leicester is a fine of two weeks' wages.

Last season Bowyer, having been acquitted of charges linked to the assault on a student, initially refused to pay a four-week fine levied by Leeds for his involvement in a drinking session on the night in question. The Professional Footballers' Association later brokered an agreement. Adam Crozier, the FA's chief executive, who has been in discussion with Gordon Taylor, his counterpart at the PFA, said: "When these contracts were drawn up it was not with incidents like this in mind. Gordon is very willing to discuss the issue and has been doing so."

The initiative will continue regardless of the result of Leicester's appeal against the tribunal decision which is expected to be heard next month.

Crozier is also negotiating with the Premier League to secure a winter break next season. Although the clubs voted 20-0 when he put the case to them at the last Premiership meeting he said: "We will continue to push for it as we think it is right for the game. There are benefits for everyone. Players would be fresher providing a better product for spectators, clubs and the England team. During the break the Football League would receive more attention. Fans would have a break after spending heavily at Christmas.

"If Uefa carry through their plan to reduce matches in the Champions' League [which clubs are contesting] four match-dates will be freed up. We could thus have a two-week break in January re-starting with the third round of the FA Cup. We would like it in place next season enabling the players to rest ahead of the 2004 European Championship."

During the break clubs would not be allowed to play friendlies and would have to allow their players complete rest for the first week. However, as Crozier admitted, most Premiership clubs do not feel they have a problem with fixture congestion [Sunderland played only 40 games in 38 weeks last year] and are concerned about cash-flow implications.

FA staff have cancelled their Saturday nights out to help Premiership clubs cope with the restrictions of the new transfer windows. Staff will remain at their desks until midnight tomorrow to register deals.

The FA continue to lobby the sport's world governing body, Fifa, in support of the Football League's request for an exemption. It is feared that in the wake of the ITV Digital fiasco league clubs could go under should the opportunity to raise emergency funds through selling players be withdrawn. Although the deadline is tomorrow, Fifa will not rule on the League's case until next week at the earliest.

The intention is for a two-year exemption after which the situation will be reviewed. Nationwide clubs would not be allowed to conduct transfers with Premiership clubs outside of the transfer window but can take players on loan.