FIFA's rules on player transfers between clubs are “contrary to European Union law and could hinder free movement”. This was established by the Court of Justice of the EU, which examined the appeal of the former national team player, Frenchman Lassana Diarra, against the transfer ban. in Charleroi after the termination of the contract with Lokomotiv Moscow The European Court's decision has the potential to revolutionize the rules of the transfer market.
Lassana Diarra (Handle)
The footballer had signed a four-year contract with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2013. The deal was terminated after a year as Diarra was unhappy with the alleged salary cuts. Lokomotiv Moscow requested compensation from FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber and the player claimed unpaid wages.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the Russian club had terminated the contract with the Frenchman “for just cause” and the player was ordered to pay 10.5 million euros. The former France international said his search for a new club had been hampered by Fifa rules which stipulate that any new club would be jointly and severally liable with him for paying compensation to Lokomotiv.
Court of Justice of the EU (Handle)
“The rules in question are likely to prevent the free movement of professional footballers who wish to develop their activity by going to work in a new club,” the Court said in a press release.. The former Real Madrid player also claimed that a potential deal with Belgian club Charleroi fell through due to Fifa rules and is suing Fifa and the Belgian FA in a Belgian court for damages and loss of six million euros.
As the case is still pending before the Belgian courts, the matter has been referred to the European Court of Justice for a ruling. The Diarra case, supported by global players' union FifPro, was brought before Fifa's judicial bodies before the election of President Gianni Infantino in 2016, who made modernizing transfer market rules a priority.
