Russian football teams banned from signing Turkish players in winter break

Russia's sanctions against Turkey in the aftermath of the downing of a military jet have already led to Russian teams pulling out of planned winter camps in Turkey. Now the Russian Football Union is moving to prevent further Turkish players from joining Russian teams.

Vitaly Mutko, Russian sports minister and president of the Russian Football Union, was clear about the instructions given to Russian clubs:

“I think that if anyone wants [to sign a Turkish player] during the upcoming transfer window in the winter break, there will not be such a possibility.

“We don’t need to jump too far ahead, but [the clubs] have already got the message.”

When pressed for further clarification on the subject and whether this was a clear directive by the sports ministry to Russian football teams to avoid signing Turkish players, Mutko replied .... https://www.rt.com