March 8 – Foreign players based in Russia are being allowed to leave their clubs for the rest of the season without being punished.
FIFA made the announcement in the latest response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, just a week after all Russian clubs and national teams were kicked out of international competition.
It is estimated that are several hundred overseas players in the Russian leagues who would normally be barred from leaving outside the two transfer windows.
But due the unique current circumstances, FIFA is opening a special window for them to temporarily sign for other clubs.
“FIFA would like to reiterate its condemnation of the ongoing use of force by Russia in Ukraine,” FIFA said.
“Foreign players and coaches will have the right to unilaterally suspend their employment contracts with the clubs in question until the end of the season in Russia (30 June 2022).
“Players and coaches will be considered out of contract until 30 June 2022 and will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind.”
Ukraine’s league has been suspended since the invasion began and FIFA is also allowing the country’s players to temporarily move.
But Fifpro, the world players’ union, said the measures didn’t go far enough and that the players involved should be allowed to leave permanently without risk of sanction rather than just until June 30.
“While some measures adopted today are helpful amendments, the decision to allow foreign players to only suspend their contracts and thus only temporarily leave Russian clubs is too timid,” FIFpro said.
“It will be hard for players to find employment for the remainder of the season with uncertainty looming over them and, within a few weeks, they will be in a very difficult situation once again.
“These players should be allowed to terminate their contracts.”
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