ZURICH — Following a significant ruling regarding soccer transfers, FIFA announced on Monday that it will engage with “key stakeholders” around the globe to discuss potential updates to the regulations that came into question in the case of former French soccer player Lassana Diarra.
On October 4, the European Court of Justice delivered a judgment in Luxembourg concerning Diarra that stated certain aspects of FIFA’s transfer regulations conflicted with competition laws and the right to free movement in the labor market.
While some experts predict that this ruling could dramatically alter the international transfer market, valued at over $10 billion annually, FIFA believes discussions can concentrate specifically on disputes between players and clubs, particularly when contracts are allegedly terminated without valid reason.
These discussions are expected to incorporate participation from the global players’ union FIFPRO, alongside representatives from clubs, leagues, and national football associations.
“FIFA will work collectively with these groups to identify what implications the Diarra ruling has and which modifications to Article 17 of the transfer regulations are necessary and appropriate,” stated Emilio García, FIFA’s chief legal officer.
Diarra, who has played for clubs such as Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Chelsea, entered into a four-year agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2013. However, the contract was nullified a year later due to his dissatisfaction with alleged salary reductions.
Initially, both FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport determined the Russian team had legally ended the agreement, leading to a demand that Diarra pay €10.5 million (approximately $11.2 million). Diarra contended that FIFA’s regulations hindered his ability to secure a new team, thus making his future employer partially liable for compensating Lokomotiv.
“The Diarra case reinforces the importance of contracts. Neither a player nor a club can unilaterally abandon an existing agreement,” García remarked. “As such, players wishing to exit a contract will incur financial consequences.”
The upcoming FIFA discussions will commence while the Diarra matter returns to a local court in Belgium, where it is anticipated that a definitive ruling may take years to reach, rather than a matter of months.