The former football professional Lassana Diarra calls for transfer rules from the World Association FIFA and the Belgian football association in the legal dispute.
This emerges from a press release that the Frenchman sent on his lawyers. In addition to the sum, interest should be calculated that are incurred until the verdict.
Transfer regulation violates EU law
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) decided in October on the basis of Diarra’s lawsuit that certain transfer rules of FIFA violate EU law.
Specifically, it is about the case when there is an early termination of the contract and the player is subject to a punishment by his club.
According to the FIFA regulations, the association, which would re-contract the player, was also liable. These rules would have limited the freedom of movement of the players granted by EU law and the competition between the clubs, the ECJ complained in his judgment.
Diarra sees damage for his career
Diarra is quoted in the communication: “This is her right to accommodate the associations and an extrajudicial agreement since the ECJ judgment:” This is her right, but it reflects a continuing culture of disregarding the constitutional state and the player, despite the crystal-clear message of the ECJ. ” Therefore, he had to go back to court to his “big regret”.
The 40-year-old demands full compensation for the career damage, which in his opinion has been created by illegal transfer rules. The FIFA is asked for a reaction.
Associations threaten to complain of class
Diarra is supported by the FIFPRO player union and Justice for Players, among others. This organization plans to dispute compensation for football professionals in front of a Dutch court who had escaped salaries. The FIFA and also the German Football Association (DFB) threatens a class action.
If there is no agreement until September, the lawsuits against FIFA and a total of five national football associations should be submitted to a Dutch court in early 2026.
All players who had played for a professional association in the EU since 2002 have been called for participation in the class action.