Sergey Pryadkin: "I'm sure players will find mutual understanding with their clubs"

During a conference call on Friday 3 April, the Russian Premier Liga, RPL clubs and Russian Football Union executives discussed options for resuming the season and reducing players' salaries.

"For the first time in the history of our organization, we held a meeting with all 16 clubs in this mode, and despite the unusual format, it turned out to be productive.

"The main issue is, of course, finishing the season. We have various options for resuming, starting from the first days of June and up to the middle of July, in order to comply with the recommendation UEFA to finish the championship by the end of August.

"We fully support this idea and are going to hold the remaining eight rounds in order to preserve the integrity of the competition and fulfill all obligations to the partners of clubs and the RPL. When planning the restart, we will be guided by the priority of ensuring the health of fans and all participants of matches on the basis of executive orders.

"Another important topic is the contracts of the players. Together with our colleagues from FIFA, UEFA and the RFU, we will continue to work on this difficult issue. We need to find the right solution that meets the interests of all parties and lies within legal boundaries.

"Due to the coronavirus pandemic, clubs around the world are now suffering huge losses, and in order to maintain financial stability, it is necessary to make compromises on the issue of temporary salary cuts. Together with club directors, we have come to a gentleman's agreement that nobody will use this situation as leverage to move a player from one team to another.

"But I am sure that under the circumstances all players will show awareness and will be able to find mutual understanding with their clubs. I know that many have already agreed on this," RPL President Sergey Pryadkin said about the results of the conference call.