Former France international Lassana Diarra is seeking €65 million (approximately $76 million) in damages from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association, following a major legal victory at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that challenged the foundations of football’s transfer regulations.
Diarra’s legal team, led by the Brussels-based firm Dupont Hissel, confirmed the claim on Monday, citing “unsuccessful settlement negotiations with FIFA” as the impetus for legal action. The 40-year-old ex-midfielder, who played for clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, is pursuing compensation for what his lawyers describe as damage to his career caused by outdated and unlawful transfer restrictions.
The case stems from a protracted dispute dating back over a decade, when Diarra’s relationship with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow deteriorated, leading to the termination of his contract. A subsequent attempt by Belgian side Charleroi to sign the player was blocked under FIFA rules at the time, which held players and prospective clubs liable for financial penalties if contracts were ended without “just cause.”
The Court of Arbitration for Sport initially upheld FIFA’s position in favour of Lokomotiv Moscow. However, the case was later referred to the ECJ in Luxembourg, which ruled in October that certain aspects of FIFA’s transfer system violated European Union labour and competition laws by restricting the free movement of players and competition between clubs.
Diarra, who missed the entire 2014-15 season as a result of the dispute, eventually returned to the pitch with Marseille before retiring at PSG six years ago.
Speaking through his legal representatives, Diarra said:
“I am doing this for myself, and because I had a good career, I was able to stand up to FIFA’s machinery. But I am also doing it for the many young, lesser-known players who lack the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges.”
FIFA, when contacted, declined to comment on the ongoing litigation but said it is reviewing and amending its regulations in line with the ECJ’s guidance.
“FIFA has been working with its stakeholders to amend its regulations following the guidance offered by the ECJ,” the governing body said in a statement.
The case is currently back before the courts in Belgium and has garnered the backing of the global players’ union FIFPRO, including its European division and the French players’ union.
In a further escalation, Diarra’s legal team also revealed that they are pursuing a broader class action lawsuit against FIFA and various national federations. Filed earlier this month, the case could impact up to 100,000 players across Europe, spanning more than two decades of football regulation.
