The Major League Soccer (MLS) board of governors approved roster rules changes on Tuesday to relax restrictions and provide flexibility.
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MLS ROSTER RULES CHANGES AIM TO BRING TEAMS FLEXIBILITY
Restrictions on getting designated players (DPs) and under-22 (U-22) initiative signings are relaxed as part of the changes.
Doubling the number of contract buyers allowed per season is also part of the changes approved by the MLS.
The amount of general allocation money (GAM) teams receive when players are transferred out of the league has been increased.
The Athletic was the first to report on the MLS board approving changes to roster rules.
RELAXING ‘LEGENDS RULE’ EYED AMID MESSI ARRIVAL
The MLS board aims to relax a so-called “legends rule” that gives teams the flexibility to keep their long-time veterans.
The rule was not part of the final package of roster rule modifications approved by the MLS board.
Discussions among members of the MLS sporting and competition group regarding the proposed “legends rule” remain ongoing.
The arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami has led to fans’ calls to boost the level of play in the league.
ROSTER RULES CHANGES NEED MLSPA APPROVAL BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION
Any modifications to the rules would need approval from the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) before its implementation.
The league is looking for the rules changes to take into effect when the summer transfer window opens on July 18.
Meanwhile, a chief soccer officer from one MLS club, who refused to be identified, said the rule changes would only benefit big-spending teams.
“For me, this is kind of lazy, and rewards teams the wrong way,” the MLS club official told ESPN.
He noted that the changes could make sense if it addresses an injured player being brought out.
However, the rule change could also be used by teams to get away from committing poor decisions.
