Last month, FIFPRO was informed by Czech player union about the case of a player whose club forgot to request an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) after his loan spell in Norway ended. In accordance with the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, the ITC must be requested prior to the end of the registration period. Since FIFA did not accept a late request, the player finds himself unable to play for the club for several months.
This is especially troublesome since the player has no influence on the ITC process.
In Italy, the extension of last year’s football season because of the covid-19 pandemic meant Italian clubs were given permission to renegotiate with players the payment of the 2019/2020 salary in 14 monthly instalments, and the current season’s salary in 10 installments.
However, when Kiril Despodov, a Bulgarian national team player, returned to Cagliari at the end of June 2020 after a loan spell with Sturm Graz he was informed that because of the calendar change he was not entitled to his salary for July and August 2020.
Despodov is challenging what was a unilateral decision by Cagliari on the basis that any reduction or waiver of salaries should have been agreed with him. The dispute is pending in front of an Italian arbitration panel, with a decision expected shortly. FIFPRO is closely following the matter.
Picture: Kiril Despodov (white shirt) playing for Cagliari in a league match against Bologna in 2019. Credit: IMAGO