After the dismissed appeal before the Cas, Donetsk lodged a complaint against the world football association with the EU Commission. The Ukrainians see themselves massively disadvantaged by FIFA.
Shakhtar Donetsk has lodged a complaint with the EU Commission against the world football association FIFA because of the ongoing suspension of the employment contracts of international players and coaches.
FIFA’s actions would violate European Union competition law, deny Ukrainian clubs access to the transfer market and distort the fair and democratic market, the club said in a statement.
FIFA influence in the criticism
FIFA cannot and must not interfere in contractual relationships in which it is not involved. “We expect the European Commission to understand the extreme financial pressure our club is facing as a result of FIFA’s actions,” it said.
In the course of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, FIFA had made it possible for foreign players and coaches to suspend their contracts. In contrast, Shakhtar and eight Russian clubs failed in January with their appeals to the Cas International Sports Court. Donetsk wanted compensation of 50 million euros from FIFA. After FIFA’s decision, many international players left the club for free, Shakhtar argued.
Controversial measures extended
Last June, FIFA extended the measure from March. After initially only valid for the remainder of the previous season, it is now valid until the end of this season.
The excessive measures taken by FIFA have led to massive losses in income from player transfers and a reduction in the club’s main income of around 40 million euros, the letter said. The extension of the FIFA decision until June 2023 is illegal according to Donetsk. There is also a high risk of a further extension until June 2024.