The Bureau of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Council has said it will extend the temporary employment rules established in the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), in order to assist players, clubs, and coaches impacted by the war in Ukraine.
FIFA added that Foreign players and coaches have the right to suspend their employment contracts until 30 June 2023 in order to further monitor the situation in Ukraine
The Bureau of the Council on 7 March 2022 and 16 March 2022 approved the RSTP amendments, which provided urgent legal certainty and clarity on a number of important regulatory matters.
FIFA said the 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.
Additionally, in relation to the protection of minors, it has been clarified that minors fleeing Ukraine to other countries with their parents due to the armed conflict will be considered to have fulfilled the requirements of article 19 paragraph 2 a) of the RSTP, exempting them from the rule preventing the international transfer of players before the age of 18.
The RSTP provisions allow clubs affiliated with 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.
FIFA had also reiterated that it will continue to condemn the ongoing use of force by Russia in Ukraine and calls for rapid cessation of the war and a return to peace.
