LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal celebrates with Fabio Vieira following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

FIFA exception could prolong Arsenal loanee’s stay

Aug 28, 2024

Arsenal midfielder Fábio Vieira may find himself playing for FC Porto beyond the official end of his loan deal due to a FIFA exception linked to the upcoming Club World Cup.

Vieira, who arrived in Porto yesterday to begin his season-long loan, could remain with the club for an additional two weeks if Porto progresses in the tournament, thanks to an exception in FIFA’s rules.

Arsenal's Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira scores the final penalty in the shoot-out during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, in London, August 6, 2023. Arsenal won after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win, following the 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) — Arsenal’s Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira scores the final penalty in the shoot-out during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, in London, August 6, 2023. Arsenal won after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win, following the 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Vieira, who was welcomed at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport by Porto’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and football director Jorge Costa, was greeted like a hero. Accompanied by his girlfriend, he stepped off the plane to a throng of fans eager to see one of their own return.

The 24-year-old wasted no time in putting on the number 10 jersey, previously worn by Francisco Conceição, a clear sign of the club’s expectations.

Arsenal agree unusual loan fee structure for Fabio Vieira

The loan, which runs until the end of the 2023/24 season, initially appeared straightforward. However, the new version of FIFA’s Club World Cup, scheduled to run from June 15 to July 13, 2024, has complicated matters.

With most European contracts traditionally expiring on June 30, there was concern that loan players like Vieira would be unavailable for the latter stages of the competition.

However, according to Wednesday’s edition of O Jogo, FIFA has introduced an exception that allows clubs to retain players on loan through the end of the Club World Cup, even if their contracts technically expire earlier.

This ruling, which integrates the tournament into the 2024/25 season rather than the next calendar year, means Porto could keep Vieira until mid-July, should they advance in the competition.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Fabio Vieira #21 of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring a goal against AFC Bournemouth during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) — CARSON, CALIFORNIA – JULY 24: Fabio Vieira #21 of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring a goal against AFC Bournemouth during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

For Arsenal, this situation presents a unique scenario. Vieira, who returned to Porto after struggling to secure a regular starting spot under Mikel Arteta, now has the chance to gain valuable experience in a high-stakes environment.

The Gunners will be monitoring his progress closely, aware that an extended stay in Porto could mean additional match experience at the highest level.