FIFA to Hold Global Consultation on Transfer System Changes Following Court Ruling
FIFA to Hold Global Consultation on Transfer System Changes Following Court Ruling
- FIFA to consult on global transfer system
- Diarra argued that these rules limited his freedom of movement
- FIFA has announced plans for a "global dialogue" with football stakeholders
FIFA will initiate a global consultation regarding potential changes to its transfer system after a court found that some of its rules violate European Union laws.
Earlier this month, the European Court of Justice ruled in favor of former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra, who had sued FIFA for damages.
The court addressed FIFA’s rules requiring clubs to jointly compensate a player’s former team when signing a free agent whose contract was terminated without just cause.
Diarra argued that these rules limited his freedom of movement following the termination of his contract with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014, contravening competition law.
The court agreed, stating that FIFA’s denial of an international transfer certificate (ITC) for Diarra’s proposed move to Belgian club Charleroi in 2015 highlighted how these regulations “impede the free movement of professional footballers seeking to join new clubs.”
In response to the ruling, FIFA has announced plans for a “global dialogue” with football stakeholders to discuss possible adaptations to its rules. Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA’s chief legal and compliance officer, noted, “FIFA views the Diarra decision as an opportunity to further modernize its regulatory framework, a key objective of the FIFA president since 2016.”
Following the court’s decision, a FIFA spokesperson stated, “FIFA is satisfied that the legality of key principles of the transfer system has been reaffirmed.”
