UEFA relaxes CL transfer rules

Published Mar. 24, 2010 5:00 p.m. ET

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UEFA has relaxed Champions League rules to allow players to compete for two different clubs in the same season.

The switch agreed Wednesday by UEFA's ruling executive is likely to increase the number of transfer deals struck during the August trading window when qualifying rounds end.

The 32 clubs in the group stage can then field players signed from teams already eliminated.

Had the rule existed this season, players from preliminary-round losers like Panathinaikos, Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Lisbon could have played for others teams in the competition.

The new rule does not allow group-stage players to represent another club in the knockout phase if they move during the January transfer window.