Shakhtar Donetsk taking FIFA to court with €40 million claimed in damages

Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk have taken FIFA to court over their neglect and unfair behaviour towards them, amidst the armed invasion by Russia. The country has had to face irreparable damage over the last few months, and sport has taken a secondary role with the safety of the people the first and foremost priority. 

But, under FIFA’s rulings, over 15 foreign players have been allowed to leave for free, being rescued from the situation in Ukraine. This includes Brazilian players such as Dentinho, Junior Moraes, Tete, Pedrinho, Marcos Antonio and David Neres, some of whom have been transferred to other clubs. 

Shakhtar Donetsk to take FIFA to CAS court 

“FIFA destroyed us. It didn’t protect us at any time. If Real Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona or Bayern Munich were in our situation, I’m sure they would have helped them quickly. I would like someone from FIFA to come to Ukraine, live with us and other teams and feel what it is like to live with sirens and bombs,” Darijo Srna, Shakhtar Donetsk’s director of soccer, complained to MARCA.

“After the violent and illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces, many international players left the club on zero-cost transfers,” said Sergei Palkin, the club’s general director.

“The inappropriate and hugely impactful measures applied by FIFA ultimately resulted in a significant loss of player transfer income and a decrease in the club’s core revenue of approximately 40 million euros.”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will go ahead with a hearing of the case on December 22, and a decision will be made after the case has been presented. They will suggest alternative measures that the governing body could have adopted, amidst the claims in damage.