Foreign players who play for Russian clubs will be allowed to break their contracts
FIFA are set to allow foreign players who play for clubs in Russia to break their contracts and move elsewhere.
The report from the New York Times has suggested that this will only be a temporary move and will allow players time to leave amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
There are estimated to be around 100 foreign players contracted to Russian clubs at present and following a joint letter FIFPro, the largest players union, and the World Leagues Forum, an umbrella organisation for more than 40 competitions, told FIFA that athletes should be given the opportunity to leave Russia.
The letter read: “These foreign players may rightfully consider that they are not willing to represent any longer a Russian team and should be able to immediately terminate their contract with their employer without facing any sanction whatsoever from international bodies and to be registered in a new club without being restricted by transfer period regulations.”
FIFA have already banned the Russian national team from competing in any tournaments, including this year’s World Cup. UEFA have also followed suit, banning the national team and all domestic Russian clubs from its competitions.
Reports have suggested that FIFA will compromise and allow foreign players contracted to Russian clubs to leave temporarily – providing they return after June 30.
One Russian side, Krasnodar have already confirmed they will allow foreign players to suspend their contracts following the resignation of Daniel Farke, who had only been appointed in January and was yet to take charge of a match.
Related links:
- Polish FA urge FIFA to reopen transfer window to give players in Russian an ‘escape’
- Russian Football Union prepare to file lawsuit against FIFA and UEFA
- Arsenal accused of hypocrisy over Ukraine after not backing Ozil’s Uighur campaign
