Transfers: FIFA ‘liberate’ foreigners who play in Russia and Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused an earthquake in football. After Russian teams were excluded from international competitions, depriving the team of playing the playoffs for the 2022 Qatar World CupFIFA has made another move.

The highest body in world football ‘free’ foreigners who play in Russia and Ukraine. The announcement explains that suspending the contracts of these soccer players until June 30, being able to sign for any team in the world.

These players will arrive with the letter of freedom and many of them will be very interesting for any club on the planet. In Russia, Zenit footballers like Malcom, Wilmar Barrios, Wendel, Douglas Santos and Claudinho have a big bill. And in Ukraine, the Brazilians from Shakhtar Tete, Neres, Dodo, Pedrinho… are from the Champions League. A candy.

Official FIFA statement

With regard to the situation in Ukraine, in order to provide players and coaches with the opportunity to work and receive a salary, and to protect Ukrainian clubs, unless the parties to the relevant contract explicitly agree otherwise, all employment contracts of foreign players and coaches with clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) will be considered automatically suspended until the end of the season in Ukraine (June 30, 2022), without the need for any action by the parties to that effect .

To facilitate the departure of foreign players and coaches from Russia, in the event that the clubs affiliated to the Football Union of Russia (FUR) do not reach a mutual agreement with their respective foreign players and coaches by March 10, 2022 or on March 10, 2022 and unless otherwise agreed in writing, foreign players and coaches shall have the right to unilaterally suspend their employment contracts with the concerned FUR-affiliated clubs until the end of the season in Russia (June 30, 2022). 2022).

The suspension of a contract according to the previous paragraphs will mean that the players and coaches will be considered “without contract” until June 30, 2022 and, therefore, will be free to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind. .

additional flexibility

In addition, to give flexibility to players whose registration was with the UAF or FUR and who have left or may intend to leave the territory of Ukraine or Russia as a result of the war in Ukraine, foreign players whose previous registration was with the UAF or the FUR may be registered even if the registration period is closed in the association of the club with which they conclude a new contract.

In order for this exception to apply and to protect the integrity of the competitions, the registration in the new club must be made before April 7, 2022 or April 7, 2022.

To further protect the integrity of the competitions, clubs are entitled to enter a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.

player protection

In relation to the protection of minors, minors fleeing from Ukraine to other countries because of the armed conflict will be considered to meet the requirements of article 19 paragraph 2 d) of the RSTP, which exempts refugee minors from the rule that prevents the international transfer of players before the age of 18.