There won't be another 'Braithwaite Case' as RFEF make rule changes

The situation that saw Martin Braithwaite sign for Barcelona when Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months in February will not be repeated. Barça paid the Danish striker's release clause, meaning there was nothing Leganes could do other than to complain about the rules that allowed it to happen to the RFEF, who suggested the would change the rules. 

The rules at the time allowed clubs to make emergency signings outside the transfer window in the event that a player had been ruled out 'long-term,' meaning more than six months. However, it didn't take into account the fact that clubs could pay the release clause, leaving the selling club no chance to sign a replacement. This rule was only in Spain, not in other countries, where there are similar rules but usually only for goalkeepers. 

On Tuesday, the RFEF published new rules in which there have been changes. Article 124, which allowed Barça to move for Braithwaite, no longer exists. 

For the 2020-21 season, teams can only make signings in the transfer windows fixed by FIFA. The first of those closes on Oct. 5. And in the case that a player suffers a long-term injury, clubs will have to use another player already in their squad. 

Emergency signings for "long-term injuries" have been completely removed, not even in the case that the selling club is happy to sell (Leganes had no choice due to the release clause being paid). There will not be another Briathwaite Case.