Clubs prepare to call in FIFA to secure players freedom
Jamie Ness, Steven Whittaker and Kyle Lafferty have all signed contracts with clubs who will have to contact the SFA for an international transfer certificate.
The former Ibrox trio have had their contracts cancelled despite Charles Green’s attempts to TUPE the deals over to Sevco.
Stoke City, Norwich City and Sion have signed the players in good faith on the understanding that they are free agents and available to play for their new clubs.
The SFA haven’t covered themselves in glory over the last 12 months as they attempt to keep upto date with the crisis at Ibrox and retain governance of the game.
Charles Green has called in the SFA to help Sevco gain compensation for the players walking away but since Sevco aren’t members of the SFA it’s difficult to see how they can intervene.
The SFA have already indicated that they’ll pass the matter to FIFA for guidance highlighting the total lack of leadership coming from Hampden.
Stoke have already contacted the players union with Gordon Taylor in no doubts about how FIFA will view the situation.
“The players agreed to defer some money,” the powerful union boss explained. “But the club has not honoured their contracts so they are entitled to be free agents, and I don’t see any reason why FIFA wouldn’t accept that.
“If you can’t honour a player’s contract you can’t say you wish to keep him and ask for money for him.”
Ten Rangers players have already rejected the TUPE proposals with others including Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu also expected to refuse a transfer to Sevco.
CLICK HERE for Sevco apply for SFA membership
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