Paulo Fonseca, the former head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk who now leads Lille in France, has publicly urged Benfica and Braga not to sell players to Russian clubs. He shared his thoughts on social media, highlighting a concern that echoes through the wider football community about ethics and allegiance during times of conflict.
In his posts, Fonseca referenced rumored talks about Benfica and Braga potentially allowing players like Shikinho and Tormena to depart to Russian teams. He thanked Benfica and Braga for their long-standing support, especially during Ukraine’s early days of aid and solidarity, and he stressed that he would rather not see such transfers take place. His message was framed as a call for restraint, underscoring a preference for ethical considerations over short-term gains.
Fonseca noted that two weeks earlier, a Russian club had attempted to sign Sassuolo’s left-back Roger. He recalled that Sassuolo chose not to engage in negotiations due to moral concerns, urging Benfica and Braga to follow that example. The emphasis was on maintaining professional integrity and avoiding associations with clubs from countries implicated in aggressive actions.
Giovanni Carnevali, the director of Sassuolo, publicly confirmed on July 23 that Rogerio would not be sold to Moscow Spartak, reinforcing the stance of not pursuing deals with Russian clubs. The clarification from Sassuolo’s leadership served as a reference point for the broader discussion about where clubs should draw their red lines in the transfer market.
Rogerio, who has been with Sassuolo since 2019 after arriving from Juventus in Turin, has a contract that runs through the summer of 2024. The Brazilian defender made 36 Serie A appearances in the previous season and contributed three assists, illustrating the kind of value such players represent to their clubs and to prospective buyers. The specifics of his situation became a talking point in the ongoing debate about transfer ethics during periods of international tension.
The broader question raised by Fonseca concerns how football institutions should respond to external political pressures and sanctions. In Canada and the United States, observers note a growing expectation that clubs consider not only financial factors but also consequences for fans, sponsors, and the sport’s reputation. When a club contemplates moves that connect it to entities tied to aggression or coercion, it risks alienating supporters, sponsors, and governing bodies that prioritize fair play and human rights. This sentiment finds echoes in statements from leagues and associations that emphasize ethical conduct over immediate competitive advantages. [Citation: football ethics discussions in European leagues]