How Diarra ruling could change transfer rules and ‘the landscape of football’ | OneFootball

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled in favour of former France midfielder Lassana Diarra, stating that FIFA transfer rules are contrary to European Union laws relating to competition and freedom of movement. So, how could this affect transfer negotiations for clubs and players?

The ECJ ruled on Friday that FIFA transfer rules are against European Union legislation relating to competition and freedom of movement.

It came after a long-time legal battle between former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Diarra and FIFA after the ex-player’s contract with Lokomotiv Moscow was terminated in 2014.

Diarra challenged the FIFA rules, saying that due to their restrictions, he was unable to join a new club. FIFA rules state that any side willing to buy a player who has terminated his contract without “just cause” must compensate the player’s former club.

How Diarra ruling could change transfer rules and ‘the landscape of football’

However, the ECJ said such rules “impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.”

Diarra’s lawyers welcomed the ruling as a “total victory”, adding that “all professional players have been affected by these illegal rules [in force since 2001] and can therefore now seek compensation for their losses.”

The ECJ decision could lead to a massive change in transfer rules, potentially giving more power to big and wealthy clubs willing to sign players from smaller sides.

On paper, it will also increase the players’ power and make it easier to terminate their contracts and join a new club without paying a transfer fee.

However, as reported by AP, ‘it could take a couple of years before any changes to the system go into effect as Friday’s ruling is part of a Belgian court case that is still ongoing.’

FIFA said that they are “satisfied that the legality of key principles of the transfer system have been reconfirmed in today’s ruling. The ruling only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, which the national court is now invited to consider.”

However, football’s global governing body added that it would “analyse the decision in coordination with other stakeholders before commenting further.”

FIFPro backed Diarra in the legal battle and said that the ruling “will change the landscape of football” although they would communicate further after “analysing the ruling in depth.”