Russian clubs banned from signing Turkish players

Russian football clubs have been banned from signing Turkish players during the forthcoming transfer window due strained relations between the two countries.

The dispute relates to a Russian warplane being shot down by Turkish forces on its border with Syria last week, an act which killed one of the pilots on board.

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko confirmed to R-Sport that clubs were aware of the directive but added that Turkish players already plying their trade in the country would not be affected by the sanctions – at least until their current contracts expire.

“If anyone wants [to sign a Turkish player] during the break, there will not be such a possibility,” he said.

“Everyone who has an existing contract will carry on working.

“They won’t be here in the future but at the moment they have contracts and these will not be looked into.”

Mutko added that Russian clubs have been advised to cancel any winter training breaks booked in Turkey, although Turkish companies involved in construction for the 2018 World Cup will be allowed to continue their work.