In February 2026, an unusual dispute erupted in Polish football. Forward Rafał Wolsztyński published allegations on social media against Sandecja Nowy Sącz concerning non-payment of remuneration, which provoked a wide public debate and a sharp club statement. In its official communication, the club accused the player of breaching his contractual obligations and tarnishing the club’s reputation, and stated that it expected an apology.

This situation raises the question whether a player who publicly discloses difficulties in enforcing his rights breaches his duty of loyalty to the club, or rather exercises the right to protect his own interests.

Sporting and civil law framework

Professional sports contracts frequently contain clauses on loyalty, confidentiality and protection of the club’s good name. Clubs may regard any conduct that, in their opinion, harms the organisation’s reputation and interests as a contractual breach.

On the other hand, civil law, including the Polish Civil Code, protects each contracting party’s right to exercise the entitlements provided by the contract, including the right to claim remuneration and to seek legal remedies where the counterparty fails to perform.

FIFA context

FIFA regulations do not contain an express prohibition on a player publicly criticising his club; however, the regime for protecting contractual stability emphatically underscores the primacy of timely payment of remuneration.

FIFA introduced Article 14bis into the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which provides that if a club is in arrears with payment of remuneration for at least two full months and the player has given the club a written notice with a minimum 15-day deadline, the player is entitled to terminate the contract for “just cause.”

This means that where a club breaches its fundamental obligation to pay remuneration, the player benefits from robust legal protection. The duty of loyalty is not absolute and cannot be used to sanction a player for pursuing amounts owed to him, provided his conduct is not defamatory, abusive, or disproportionate.

PZPN perspective

The PZPN Disciplinary Regulations provide for liability for conduct that harms the reputation of a club or the association, but each case requires proof that the player’s statement was unlawful, defamatory, or incompatible with the principles of sporting conduct.

At the same time, the law governing sport recognises that timely payment of remuneration is a core obligation of the club towards the player. Therefore, if the statement concerns genuine financial arrears and is not abusive in nature, PZPN must balance the protection of an entity’s reputation against the player’s right to enforce his claims.

Real case scenario

Wolsztyński informed the public via social media about non-payment of his remuneration and pointed to differential treatment compared with other players. The club characterised this as a breach of contractual obligations and of the club’s good name, and demanded an apology.

From the perspective of international football standards, publishing such information may be viewed as reputationally risky for the club, but it does not strip the player of the right to protect his legitimate claims — in particular those concerning remuneration, which the club is obliged to pay.

From the standpoint of Polish labour law and general contract law, an employee has the right to claim remuneration and, where that right is impeded, to inform about irregularities — provided that doing so does not violate other duties (e.g., trade-secret obligations).

Conclusion

In the context of the Sandecja–Wolsztyński dispute, the player retained the right to information and to protect his own interests, especially in light of remunerative arrears, which are protected both under FIFA and PZPN regulations and under general principles of contract and labour law.

This case demonstrates how dynamic and complex legal relationships in sport have become: the duty of loyalty is not absolute, while protection of fundamental player rights, including the right to remuneration and to public disclosure where appropriate, is strongly justified both by regulatory instruments and by the legal system.

At our firm, we specialise in both sports and civil law. We advise players, clubs, and agents in contractual disputes, remuneration issues, and proceedings before national and international bodies. If you have any doubts about your situation or are facing a similar problem, we are at your disposal and will gladly assist in finding the best solution.

Sources: 

1. Kodeks cywilny. (1964). Ustawa z dnia 23 kwietnia 1964 r. – Kodeks cywilny.
2. Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej. (2020). Regulamin Dyscyplinarny PZPN.
3. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (2024). Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP).
4. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (2024). FIFA Disciplinary Code.
5. Sandecja Nowy Sącz. (2026, February 21). Rafał Wolsztyński odchodzi z Sandecji.https://sandecja.pl/Aktualnosci/Pierwsza-Druzyna/2026-02-21-Rafal-Wolsztynski-odchodzi-z-Sandecji~n3328
6. Sport.pl. (2026, February). Klub II ligi wywołał burzę: „Wstydu nie macie”.https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,64946,32615690,klub-ii-ligi-wywolal-burze-wstydu-nie-macie.html