Lord Mawhinney has called on football to consider the introduction of a more effective legal framework governing the relationships between clubs and their players.

Speaking at the British Association of Sports and the Law conference, in London, organised by Alexander Ross, the Football League Chairman expressed his personal concern that the current system does not command enough respect for player contracts in the eyes of clubs, players and football supporters generally.

In outlining the problem Lord Mawhinney said:"I have lost count of the number of Football League Chairmen who have complained to me about unregulated approaches to some of their players.

"Too many agents behave as if players' contracts are at best a minor inconvenience. And clubs, too, make moves to sign or sell players before the end of their contracts. Apart from the contractual problem all this activity is very cost inflationary.

"Consequently, there is a real danger that many fans will begin to suspect that contracts are not worth the paper on which they are written.

"The regular breaking of contracts calls into question the integrity of the legal process.This makes fans cynical and too much cynicism simply undermines the value of the product.Eventually it may cause fans to tire of this great game."

Lord Mawhinney went on to challenge the assembled gathering of leading sports lawyers to help football address these issues without undermining player transfer values.

He continued: "Player values are a vital piece of the football jigsaw.A successful and thriving transfer system not only underpins the game's finances, it also encourages clubs to invest in youth development.This is an essential component of the viability of Football League clubs.

"To date, football has not adjusted, in any legal sense, to the Bosman ruling. Indeed, that ruling is putting the integrity of player contracts under greater pressure.

"The time for a debate about a new and credible legal framework to govern the relationship between clubs and players should be approaching.

"This debate, however, cannot just be a legal exercise it must be underpinned by the importance of player value to the clubs which employ them."