Legal Claim Against FIFA
Former French international footballer Lassana Diarra is pursuing a substantial claim of €65 million (approximately $76 million) against FIFA and the Belgian Football Federation, following a significant legal victory concerning player transfer regulations. Diarra’s legal contention has spanned a decade, stemming from his fraught relationship with Lokomotiv Moscow, where he previously played.
European Court of Justice Ruling
Last October, the European Court of Justice issued a ruling that several components of FIFA’s transfer policies do not align with the European Union’s labor and competition laws, impacting member nations.
Representatives for the 40-year-old midfielder, who has played for major clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Real Madrid, cited ongoing unsuccessful negotiations with FIFA as the basis for his hefty compensation demand.
“Lassana Diarra is seeking total damages of €65 million gross (€35 million net) from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association,”
stated Dupont Hissel, his legal team.
FIFA’s Response
In light of this ongoing legal issue, FIFA has refrained from commenting on the particulars, emphasizing its efforts to adjust regulatory frameworks in coordination with involved parties, in accordance with the ECJ’s recommendations.
Support from FIFPRO
The case, which is currently under review in Belgium, enjoys the backing of FIFPRO, the international players’ union, along with its European affiliate and the French national union. The origins of this legal battle trace back to Charleroi, a Belgian club that showed interest in signing Diarra after an abrupt termination of his contract in Moscow.
At that time, FIFA’s transfer regulations required both the player and the interested club to compensate the former team when a contract was deemed broken without adequate justification. The Court of Arbitration for Sport had initially sided with FIFA, upholding Lokomotiv’s claims.
Impact of the Ruling
However, the European court later ruled that certain FIFA policies impede players’ freedom of movement and disrupt competition among clubs. This dispute also led to Diarra’s absence from the 2014-15 season, though he later signed with Marseille and concluded his career at Paris Saint-Germain six years prior.
Diarra’s Motivation
Diarra expressed his motivations for pursuing this case:
“I am doing this for myself, but also for less well-known players who with limited resources might struggle to challenge FIFA in court. My fortunate career has equipped me to withstand the pressure from FIFA.”
Additionally, his legal representatives have initiated a class action lawsuit against FIFA and some European national federations that may ultimately benefit around 100,000 players over the last 20 years.
