Polish FA urge FIFA to reopen transfer window to give players in Russian an ‘escape’

Hundreds of foreign players play their club football in Russia

The Polish Football Association has written to FIFA to request an emergency reopening of the transfer window to allow players in Russia to move to another country. Since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last Thursday (February 24), Poland - alongside several other nations - has strongly opposed Russian involvement in international competition. With hundreds of foreign players playing their club football in Russia, the Polish FA has requested that FIFA - football's governing body - reopen the transfer window the offer the players that want a move away an 'escape route'. Ukrainian defender Yaroslav Rakitskyi left Zenit Saint Petersburg earlier this week, and more players are expected the follow the 32-year-old at other clubs. As reported by the Guardian, Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak is hoping to be allowed to leave Krasnodar. It comes after Lokomotiv Moscow manager, Markus Gisdol, left his position, with Daniel Farke, the former Norwich City manager who had recently joined Krasnodar, also leaving his role - without taking charge of a single game. Both managers expressed concerns over working in Russia during the invasion of Ukraine. The Guardian add that the imposition of global sanctions has led to some clubs struggling to pay players' wages, with contracts commonly agreed in euros. Some high-profile players are reportedly facing the prospect of having their contracts terminated. However, any plan to reopen the window would see all contracted players given the opportunity to negotiate deals with other clubs. https://twitter.com/sistoney67/status/1499324350989754369

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has said that he has been trying to help players and coaches get out of Ukraine this week, insisting that the war was the "most terrible situation" and that the "madness" of the conflict must stop.

"I was on the phone for 48 hours with clubs and coaches to get them out of the Ukraine," Ceferin told the Financial Times Business of Football Summit.

"It’s hard for me to explain how sad those conversations were. One of the players who left Ukraine came to my home, another came today.

"They told me about their children and about the bombs exploding outside their home. I am proud of the football family that we stood together to do our part. The football part. It’s really hard to say what will happen tomorrow but this war should stop, this madness should stop."

Ceferin also said that it was "impossible" to say under what circumstances the ban on Russian football might be reversed.

He added: "For now it stays and we are waiting for peace to come.

"Football will probably be the least important thing."

Uefa made the decision to move the Champions League final from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, with the Parc des Princes in France named as the new venue for the showpiece event. It also ended its longstanding sponsorship deal with Gazprom. Related links:

• Russian Football Union prepare to file lawsuit against FIFA and UEFA
• Poland players release statement refusing to play Russia in World Cup play-off
• EA SPORTS to remove all Russian teams from FIFA 22