FIFA Refusal Threatens Player Availability for Ligue 1/Ligue 2 Playoffs

Overview

• FIFA declined to grant a general derogation for the international window that begins May 25, forcing clubs to seek individual agreements with national federations for players called up to World Cup squads.
• National teams are deciding case by case and some have already refused requests: Algeria will not release Hicham Boudaoui and requires him at its camp from May 25 while Senegal has agreed to be flexible for certain players.
• Nice and Saint-Étienne face the prospect of losing multiple internationals for the playoff dates, with named at-risk players including Elye Wahi, Ali Abdi, Yehvann Diouf, Antoine Mendy and Ben Old.
• The Ligue de Football Professionnel has punished Nice for recent supporter violence by ordering the return leg of the barrage to be played behind closed doors, and Paris police reported 65 arrests and six injured after clashes in the capital before the Cup final.
• The dispute creates immediate sporting risk for Nice’s bid to stay in Ligue 1, raises the likelihood of appeals to FIFA or the LFP, and leaves the outcome contingent on fast replies from national federations and any legal steps clubs may take.