Blocked Transfer of a Footballer from the Netherlands to Russia Due to War: How Politics Influence the Football World
In recent weeks, the football community has been heavily influenced by geopolitical conflicts that have led to significant restrictions and sanctions concerning sporting collaborations between nations.
A notable case involves Moroccan defender Soufyan El-Karouani, who was set to transfer from Dutch club Utrecht to Russian club Spartak Moscow.
However, due to active political and moral stances, club management and authorities blocked the deal, citing a moral stance against engaging in any relations with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Russian club offered €6 million plus bonuses for the transfer, but ultimately received a refusal, echoing the growing trend of limiting sports cooperation with Russia within international football organizations.
El-Karouani, who played nine matches this season, scored one goal and recorded seven assists, remains unable to continue his career in Moscow as Utrecht’s leadership considers partnering with Russia ethically unacceptable amid the war in Ukraine.
This decision continues the broader sanctions policy adopted in 2022, where all Ukrainian and Russian clubs and national teams were barred from participating in international competitions by FIFA, UEFA, and other governing bodies.
Russian teams are excluded from World and European Championships, Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and other major tournaments.
Against this backdrop, stories have also emerged about clubs refusing to sign Russian players on moral and political grounds, further illustrating the inseparable nexus between sports and politics in today’s globalized world.