The big news coming out of Spain via Cadena SER was the big step Philippe Coutinho was willing to take to force through his transfer to Barcelona from Liverpool.

Coutinho looks set to head to FIFA after Liverpool refused to shift grounds over his transfer.

It was a really lengthy read but we would try to summarize it.

The big question is what does article 17 and 18 say about player and their contracts with clubs.

Article 17:  Consequences of terminating a contract without just cause 1

Article 18: Special provisions relating to contracts between professionals and clubs 

Lets look at Article 17

Before we into the details of this clause, we take you back to article 14 which would have been the best route for Coutinho to take.

Article 14 says: “A contract may be terminated by either party without consequences of any kind (either payment of compensation or imposition of sporting sanctions) where there is just cause.

And 15 goes on to explain what they mean by just cause, saying it’s for professional players who played less than 10% of the official games for the club throughout the season.

As we all know, Coutinho doesn’t fall under such a category and he now has to look at the consequence of doing so without a just cause.

Article 17 spells that a termination without just cause would mean Liverpool are due a compensation. Compensation in this case, could have already been provided in the contract the player signed.

But where no such provisions exits in the contract, “compensation for the breach shall be calculated with due consideration for the law of the country concerned, the specificity of sport, and any other objective criteria”

These criteria shall include, in particular,

• the remuneration and other benefits due to the player under the existing contract and/or the new contract,
• the time remaining on the existing contract up to a maximum of five years, the fees
• expenses paid or incurred by the former club (amortised over the term of the contract) and
• whether the contractual breach falls within a protected period.

But it doesn’t end with a compensation as Coutinho would also be handed a massive ban ranging from 4 to six months.

Barcelona would also be under the scrutiny of FIFA as they are assumed to have ‘induced’ Coutinho, unless it has been established to the contrary.

A transfer ban of two transfer windows would also be imposed on Barcelona.

So the answer to such a question is “yes, Coutinho can terminate his contract”.

But the consequences that follows him and Barcelona begs the question if it is worth it.

The post Can Philippe Coutinho cancel his contract with Liverpool? appeared first on SOCCERINFOMANIA.