FIFPRO WELCOMES RULE CHANGE HELPING PLAYERS AFFECTED BY MATCH-FIXING

Friday August 13 2021

FIFPRO welcomes a change in regulations which allows players in Russia to prematurely terminate their employment contract when their club is relegated due to a disciplinary sanction imposed by the Russian Football Federation (FUR) against rigging matches.

The amendment follows the problematic situation of current FC Chaika players. Last month, a FUR disciplinary committee found out that a former FC Chaika official was guilty of match-fixing offenses in 2018. The club were relegated from second to third league in Russian football and the official club was banned for life from the football world.

Players currently employed at FC Chaika were unaware of ongoing disciplinary measures and a number of them signed contracts with the club after 2018.

Nevertheless, these players suffer the consequences of the disciplinary measures imposed by the FA. They now find themselves playing in the third league, which makes a big difference in terms of employment opportunities and playing conditions.

Following the request of several players, the Players Union of Russia (OPSF) approached FUR with a proposal to change regulations on the status and transfer of players to allow players to terminate their contracts without compensation or sports sanctions if their club is relegated for match-fixing offense.

FUR approved the proposal on July 9, giving players the opportunity to sign with a new club. FIFPRO supports the FUR amendment, and we applaud the initiative of the players' union to help prevent players from being unfairly impacted by the actions of a club official.