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Earlier this month, Andriy Pavelko, president of Ukraine's
football federation, revealed details of discussions with the
heads of FIFA and UEFA about resuming men's and women's matches
in the country in a safe manner in August.
Foreign players contracted to Ukrainian clubs have mostly fled
since Russia invaded the country back in February, with it
remaining uncertain as to whether they will return, should the
league begin again in two months time.
As a result, FIFA will now allow players and coaches to take the
decision to delay their return, and their contracts will remain
in place. The relaxing of the rules is also an attempt to
further punish Russia.
"Should clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of
Football (UAF) or the Football Union of Russia (FUR) not reach a
mutual agreement with their respective foreign players and
coaches before or on 30 June 2022, and unless otherwise agreed
in writing, these players and coaches will have the right to
suspend their employment contracts with their clubs until 30
June 2023," a FIFA statement read.
"These provisions give players and coaches the opportunity to
train, play and receive a salary, while protecting Ukrainian
clubs and facilitating the departure of foreign players and
coaches from Russia.
"FIFA will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely
to ensure that the regulatory framework is adapted according to
any new developments. FIFA also continues to condemn the ongoing
use of force by Russia in Ukraine and calls for a rapid
cessation of the war and a return to peace."
Sources close to the discussions told Reuters that players who
are not of Ukrainian nationality and contracted to Ukrainian
clubs who suspend their contract before or on 30 June 2022 will
be considered "out of contract" until June 2023, and thus free
to sign elsewhere for this period.
Since the Feb. 24 start of the invasion, Russia has scaled back
the ambitions of its war, pulling back troops from around the
capital Kyiv and focusing on pushing out Ukrainian troops from
the eastern Donbas region. Russia says it is involved in a
"special military operation" in Ukraine.
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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