The Polish FA has asked FIFA to reopen the transfer window for players in Ukraine and Russia amid escalating geopolitical turmoil in eastern Europe.
According to a report from The Athletic, the Polish FA has urged FIFA to open the transfer window in Russia and Ukraine so that players are allowed to leave their respective clubs and continue their careers elsewhere.
“We have to give an opportunity to players from Ukraine and foreign players from Russia to continue their careers,” a spokesperson for the Polish FA told The Athletic. The Polish FA’s plea to FIFA comes just a few days after the governing body of football, along with UEFA, announced their decision to ban Russian national teams and clubs from competing in international and continental tournaments until further notice.
In response to the sanction, the Football Union of Russia has reportedly filed a lawsuit against FIFA and UEFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). But that hasn’t stopped foreign players competing in Russian teams to leave the club, including two Ukrainian players Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Artem Polyarus.
Players from the Ukrainian league have been on the move as well, after the league was postponed indefinitely on the day of Russia’s invasion. Dentinho was the latest star to leave the country, joining Brazilian outfit Ceara SC from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Unfortunately, players leaving Ukraine or Russia are unable to play in most leagues across Europe until the next summer window, when they leave the club on a free transfer. The Polish FA, as a result, has urged FIFA to address the issue and reopen the transfer window, which closed in Russia just two weeks ago.
Ideally, reopening the transfer window could allow players to join another club on loan before they eventually return to their respective clubs in the summer. If the current situation continues to escalate beyond four months, which appears likely, then players would be able to leave the club permanently, enabling them to continue their careers elsewhere.
The report from the Athletic suggests FIFA are set to hold a meeting with the European Club Association regarding the issue, with foreign players in Ukraine and Russia hoping for a quick resolution.