At the moment, clubs not in the Premiership can buy and sell players throughout the season, a move instigated by FIFA is set to change all that.
Said Football League Chairman Brian Mawhinney: ''In the past, clubs have sold in order to survive, and special dispensation has been given from Fifa so that we could still deal with Football League clubs outside the window.
''We have been trying to persuade them to let us deal with Premiership clubs all year round, but unfortunately the Premier League have now withdrawn their support.
''To make matters worse, we won't even be allowed to trade between ourselves after this season. ''Fifa are expected to announce that in mid-December.
''If we lose this battle it will not be for a want of trying, but it will no doubt have a serious effect on a number of league clubs.''