Sidelined players: UNFP files complaint with Public Prosecutor concerning "extortion & harassment"

As part of its mission to defend the collective rights and interests of footballers, the UNFP has instructed the Temime law firm to lodge a complaint against persons unknown with the Public Prosecutor for extortion, harassment and complicity in these offences for failure to comply with article 507 of the Professional Football Charter (devoted to "workforce management", document available to download), announced the French professional footballers' union on 16/01/2024.

These practices (sidelining players in a "loft", pressure to extend a contract or, on the contrary, to accept a transfer) "are widespread - 180 players since the start of the 2023-24 season - and are even claimed by the clubs, which no longer hesitate to use sophisticated means of communication to further ostracise the players concerned," explained the UNFP.

"In France, such behaviour is contrary to the Football Charter and employment law, and may therefore constitute a criminal offence. The use of moral coercion to induce a person to agree to sign or terminate a contract constitutes the offence of extortion, within the…