Lokomotiv Told to Shell Out €50k to Mariupol Over Mampassi's Training
Lokomotiv has been mandated by CAS to pay €50,000 to a Ukrainian football club.
In a turn of events, Russian football club Lokomotiv has been ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to cough up nearly €50,000 as compensation to Ukrainian team Mariupol for the training of footballer Mark Mampassi. The verdict, shared on the official CAS website, rejects Lokomotiv's appeal against a 2022 decision by FIFA.
The debt-ridden Russia-based club must pay Mariupol €49,800 plus a 5% annual interest starting from February 2022. If Lokomotiv balks at this, FIFA might slap them with a ban on registering new players.
Mampassi, a former member of the Ukrainian youth national team, joined Lokomotiv from Donetsk's Shakhtar in December 2021, signing a five-year contract. Despite being a Ukrainian player, Mampassi was registered as a Russian national in the Russian championship.
According to RBC Group, Mariupol appealed to FIFA seeking compensation from Lokomotiv for Mampassi's training, as he was practically regarded as a Mariupol graduate. Lokomotiv, on the other hand, claimed that Mariupol had waived its right to compensation in its contract with Shakhtar. However, FIFA and later CAS supported Mariupol in the dispute.
Mampassi played 21 matches for Lokomotiv without scoring a goal and is currently on loan at Belgian club Courtrai.
After suspending their participation in the Ukrainian championship in 2022, Mariupol was later disbanded, with all players moving on to other teams. The drama unfolded on the Telegram channel "RBC Sport".
Digging Deeper: Training Compensation and Solidarity Payments
The case involving Lokomotiv and Mariupol sheds light on FIFA regulations regarding training compensation and solidarity payments. In brief, when a club trains a player under 23, they are entitled to compensation from the club that the player moves to. Solidarity payments, meanwhile, are available if a player is transferred internationally. These payments are intended for clubs that have contributed to a player's development.
The ruling could have significant financial and reputational implications for both clubs. For Lokomotiv, the financial burden of paying training compensation might strain their budget, impacting future transfers or player development. On the other hand, successful claims for training compensation could provide a much-needed financial boost for Mariupol, incentivizing continued investments in youth development programs and enhancing their negotiating power in future transfer dealings.
So, as the dust settles on this dispute, keep an eye on how both Lokomotiv and Mariupol navigate this tricky territory and adapt their strategies in player transfers moving forward. The footballing world is bound to keep a close watch on these developments!
In the aftermath of the ruling, Lokomotiv might struggle with their budget to pay the training compensation, potentially impacting their future player transfers or development plans. Conversely, Mariupol stands to gain a financial boost from successful claims for training compensation, encouraging further investments in youth development programs and strengthening their bargaining position in future transfer negotiations.
