FIFA is allowing foreign players and coaches to temporarily leave Russian and Ukrainian Premier League clubs and sign for new teams, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Athletic reported last week that the Polish FA had asked FIFA to reopen the transfer windows for players in both Ukraine and Russia so they could escape the conflict.
FIFPro, the largest players union in world football, also contacted FIFA, asking for foreign players in Russia to be able to leave permanently.
A meeting was held on Friday between FIFA and the European Club Association to discuss the issue.
On Monday, FIFA said it had taken the decision, alongside UEFA, to temporarily suspend the contracts of foreign players and coaches at Ukrainian clubs until the end of June.
Foreign players and coaches at Russian teams will have the right to suspend their contracts until the end of June if they do not come to a mutual agreement with their clubs.
FIFA said: “Players and coaches will be considered ‘out of contract’ until 30 June 2022 and will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind.”
It added that players must register with any new clubs on or before April 7 and are allowed to do so even if the registration window for teams have otherwise closed.
Clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two new players using this exception.
Over 120 foreign players currently participate in the Russian Premier League, whose clubs have been suspended from international competition by FIFA and UEFA.
Several players have already left Russian clubs since the invasion, including Ukraine international Yaroslav Rakitskyi, who left Zenit Saint Petersburg on Wednesday.