The English Football League and Blackburn Rovers are still at odds over forward Duncan McGuire’s registration.
On the day of the transfer deadline, the forward signed with Orlando City following a bizarre and confusing process that saw the deal collapse and then be fixed as a loan-to-buy arrangement.
At 11 p.m., the club made an official announcement about McGuire, contingent on visa and international clearance. Subsequently, it was discovered that there was a problem with the documentation that was turned in, and the purchase is still pending.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old attended the 2-1 home loss to Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park. Following the game, Jon Dahl Tomasson instructed The Lancashire Telegraph to question the club’s management over the most recent issues.
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These problems come a year after the unsuccessful transfers of Lewis O’Brien and Ethan Brierley to the team. That was likewise the result of a mistake in the paperwork, but the EFL disputed that the deals were not submitted by the 11 p.m. deadline. This issue is recognized to be distinct, yet no less aggravating.
As negotiations with the EFL continue, the Lancashire Telegraph is aware that Rovers are weighing their options with McGuire.
The registration hasn’t been accepted as of this writing, but the club’s first hope is that the board will accept it. The club and its attorneys are still in talks to make a strong argument to the EFL, but there’s a growing sense that the contract won’t pass.
Rovers have two choices if the EFL insists McGuire cannot be registered. The club has two options: concede loss or file an appeal, like they did with O’Brien last year.
The EFL board would be given the option to appeal, and if that doesn’t work, they might take the matter before a separate arbitrator. Given that OBrien’s deal did not receive official clarity until March of last year and that it failed, that is probably going to be a drawn-out procedure.
Rovers believe they have a strong case, but given the problems of the previous year, they might also be able to accept the outcome. It is anticipated that the club will attempt to reach a pre-contract deal with Orlando City if they take such action.
Should that transpire, a fresh contract would need to be drafted. In essence, the two clubs would have to reopen their negotiations with each other after the current agreement was declared void.
Rovers believe they owe McGuire a duty of care because he is scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday in the event that the agreement isn’t approved. At this time, he is unable to train with the club or take part in any associated events.
Due to Rovers’ error from the previous season and Nottingham Forest’s choice to keep him out of their Premier League roster, O’Brien was left unregistered and unable to play for any team in the United Kingdom. For McGuire, that would not be the case.
On the weekend of February 26, Major League Soccer will resume, allowing McGuire to rejoin Orlando City and be eligible to play for them. After that, Rovers will try to come to a summertime arrangement with the MLS team.
Orlando is not required to abide by the terms that were previously agreed upon, though. If other teams wanted to, they might potentially pique their interest again.
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