The Sky Blues are leading the charge to tweak the start of the New Year registration period to bring it into line with other federations.

But some within Football Federation Australia are reluctant to see clubs forced back into a head-to-head bidding war with the major leagues.

Under the current system there is a two-week overlap with Europe and Asia but an opportunity for clubs to sign players after the other transfer windows have closed.

Insiders told au.fourfourtwo.com there was anecdotal evidence that locking clubs into the same transfer period pushed up player fees and salaries.

Last-placed Sydney indicated they plan to raise the issue at the next club CEO conference at the end of the season.

But some FFA officials have questioned the club’s complaints coming just two months and eight days after the close of the last transfer period.

Some at the FFA HQ believe the fault may lie with Sydney and caused by poor planning rather than the transfer schedule.

The January window was in line with most other major federations until 2011/12, when it was pushed back two weeks to accommodate the later season kick-off in October.

Neither Sydney FC coach Frank Farina nor chief executive Tony Pignata were working in the A-League at the time the change to the system was brought in.

The switch means greater space between the two transfer windows and enables clubs to boost their squads closer to the April final series.

Until now, the FFA says there have been no complaints. 

Farina was among those critical of the January 14 start with star signing Joel Griffiths ready but unable to play for two weeks.

Griffiths has been cooling his heels since coming off contract with Shanghai Shenhua at the end of the year.

Under FIFA regulations, the former A-League Golden Boot winner was ineligible to play for another club until the relevant transfer window opened.

Farina told reporters: "I don't agree with the window here at the moment.  It's not as if he (Griffiths) is still contracted to a club - but he can't start playing until the 14th which, for me, is crazy.”

Sydney CEO Tony Pignata has also gone on record expressing his frustration. Wellington Phoenix face a similar issue with 23-year-old left back signing, Ian Hogg, unable to play until next week.

Speaking about the decision to align the transfer window with the new season, Head of Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun was circumspect.

“The main rationale for this change was to allow clubs to sign new players during the relevant European registration windows, given historically the majority of foreign players in the Hyundai A-League are recruited from Europe,” he said.

“(It also allowed) clubs to sign new players after the European registration periods close, enabling clubs to replace players that move late in the relevant transfer windows.

“FFA has an ongoing dialogue with all clubs however a formal review process for league matters doesn’t occur until the conclusion of the season.”

FIFA stipulates there must be two registration periods per season - a 12 week and four week transfer window – but federations are free to decide when they occur.