July 4 – FIFA’s policy of allowing foreign players contracted to Ukrainian clubs to suspend their deals amid the war with Russia has come under renewed scrutiny as Tottenham Hotspur move in for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Manor Solomon.
Solomon spent last season on loan at Fulham, who had an option to purchase the Israeli winger.
His contract in Ukraine is not due to expire until December this year and he was set to return to his parent club this summer. Under normal circumstances, any buying club would therefore have been liable for a sizeable fee.
Instead, the 23-year-old Israeli international can leave for nothing after FIFA in May extended its temporary employment rules relating to the war in Ukraine.
Solomon suffered a long-term knee injury at the start of the 2022/23 season and didn’t make his Fulham debut until January.
He then scored in five straight games and Shakhtar feel they have missed out on a lucrative transfer fee and are reported to be pushing for the Spurs deal not to be sanctioned.
CEO Sergei Palkin told ESPN: “Can you imagine, we pay big money for this player and finally Tottenham receives him for free? It is not fair in respect of our club. We will definitely go to court and we will fight for ourselves.”
“I would like to send a message to those clubs who are trying to sign our players without paying a transfer fee: Shakhtar will file claims for unjust enrichment against players or clubs who have enriched themselves and benefitted by obtaining a financial advantage.”
Last week Spurs announced a pre-season charity friendly against Shakhtar “dedicated to the people of Ukraine”, raising funds for Shakhtar’s charitable foundation.
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