FIFA Rule Could Open Door for Liverpool to Land Alexander Isak from Newcastle
Little-known FIFA rule ‘could leave Newcastle powerless to stop Alexander Isak joining Liverpool’Little-known FIFA rule ‘could leave Newcastle powerless to stop Alexander Isak joining Liverpool’
Updated 13:02 20 Aug 2025 GMT+1Published 12:30 20 Aug 2025 GMT+1
Little-known FIFA rule ‘could leave Newcastle powerless to stop Alexander Isak joining Liverpool’
Isak says his relationship with Newcastle “can’t continue” amid Liverpool’s ongoing interest.
A little-known transfer rule could play into the hands of Alexander Isak and provide him with some much-needed leverage as he attempts to force through a move to Liverpool.
The transfer saga of the summer took another bitter turn on Tuesday night, when Isak released a public statement claiming Newcastle had broken promises to him amid links of a British-record transfer to Liverpool.
Isak, who is under contract at St James’ Park until 2028, wrote: “Promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.”
In response, Newcastle stated that they were “disappointed” with Isak and denied that any club official had told the striker he could leave this summer. They added that the club has “been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired”.
Despite their firm stance, however, the Magpies could become powerless as a result of Article 17 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Transfer and Status of Players, which was recently tweaked as a result of a case involving former Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.
Diarra ruling could have implications on Isak future
In short, Diarra forced FIFA to act after he was able to prove that the rules were too restrictive on players who wanted to move clubs.
Diarra triggered his own departure at Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014, but after a dispute, he was unable to attain an international transfer certificate and was forced to become a free agent, with sections of the FIFA regulations preventing him from taking up a new contract offer in Belgium.
“At the age of 29, at the peak of his career, the Frenchman spent a year without a club,” says FIFPRO’s official website.
“According to Diarra, the regulations unfairly interrupted and negatively impacted his career. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in Diarra’s favour in the sense that the judges confirmed that the FIFA rules are contrary to EU laws, forcing FIFA to adapt their regulations.”
Under previous rules, a player who terminated their own deal without a “just cause” had to pay compensation for breach of contract, and his new club would also be joint liable for the cash.
Now, Article 17 has been amended to permit players to unilaterally terminate their contract without reason, so long as they have been under contract for at least three years, or two if they are 28 or older. Isak, meanwhile, is 25 and has been under contract at Newcastle for three years.
Alexander Isak claims ‘trust is lost’ with Newcastle. Image: Getty
Alexander Isak claims ‘trust is lost’ with Newcastle. Image: Getty
Transfer rule means Isak would be permitted to invoke Article 17 next summer
Yes, that is correct, but it must be invoked within 15 days of the final game of the season, which will be early June 2026. As noted by ESPN, once that happens, it is considered a unilateral breach of contract by Isak, which means he’s free to sign with any other club as soon as the market reopens on July 1.
FIFA’s rules state Newcastle would be entitled to compensation, which would need to be agreed between both clubs, but it would be unlikely to be anywhere near the £110 million offer from Liverpool that was rejected earlier this month.
There is no evidence that Isak’s representatives have threatened Newcastle with invoking Article 17 next summer, but it could offer Isak a potential escape route if he stays with the Magpies beyond the current window.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Alexander Isak, Newcastle United, FIFA, Liverpool, Transfers, Premier League
Newcastle Hit Back After Alexander Isak Claims Club Made ‘Broken Promises’
Newcastle respond to Alexander Isak statement after he accuses club of ‘broken promises’Newcastle respond to Alexander Isak statement after he accuses club of ‘broken promises’
Published 07:14 20 Aug 2025 GMT+1
Newcastle respond to Alexander Isak statement after he accuses club of ‘broken promises’
The Premier League club have disputed their star player’s claims’
Newcastle United have released an official statement reacting to star player Alexander Isak’s controversial claims on social media regarding his transfer plans.
As several of the best players in the Premier League celebrated their talents at the annual Professional Football Awards (PFA) in Manchester on Tuesday night, one man was notably absent.
Despite being named in the PFA team of the season after scoring 23 goals in 34 Premier League appearances, Newcastle’s Isak decided not to attend the ceremony.
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Instead, the Sweden international released a damning statement on social media, claiming that ‘promises’ that had been made to him by Newcastle had been broken, making his desire to leave the club this summer clear.
And now, Newcastle United have responded to their star striker’s claims with an official statement reacting to the ongoing transfer saga.
Alexander Isak is eager to join Liverpool this summer. Image: Getty
Alexander Isak is eager to join Liverpool this summer. Image: Getty
In a post across the club website and social media, Newcastle United stated: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters “in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.
“We do not foresee those conditions being met.
“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”
More to follow…
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Newcastle United, Alexander Isak, Premier League, Transfer News, Liverpool, Football
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