French Union Backs Landmark Lawsuit Against FIFA Post-Diarra Ruling
The French National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) has joined forces with a Dutch-led class action lawsuit against FIFA, potentially impacting 100,000 professional footballers who may be eligible for compensation due to alleged lost income resulting from FIFA's transfer regulations.
“Our main objective is to offer FIFA a new opportunity to sit down at the negotiating table with players' representatives...”
Lassana Diarra, a former midfielder for top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid, was fined €10 million by FIFA for terminating his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow after just one year of a four-year deal. However, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in October 2024 that certain FIFA transfer regulations contravene EU laws and principles of free movement, backing Diarra's claims.
The ruling has significant implications for football's transfer system. Diarra is now seeking €65 million in compensation from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association, citing unsuccessful settlement negotiations. His case, supported by FIFPRO and other players' unions, could set a precedent for future disputes between players and governing bodies.
A Dutch players' group has initiated a potential billion-dollar class action lawsuit against FIFA, alleging the governing body's transfer regulations have resulted in significant income losses for approximately 100,000 professional footballers across Europe. This legal action, led by the Justice for Players Foundation, claims FIFA's rules have impacted players' earnings since 2002.
Uniting for Change: Players Take on FIFA
“As a union representing more than 90% of professional players in France, it is our responsibility to join this class action,” UNFP president David Terrier said in a statement.
“Our main objective is to offer FIFA a new opportunity to sit down at the negotiating table with players' representatives in order to jointly develop new regulations that comply with European law and strike a fair balance between the interests of employees and employers.”
The French players' union UNFP aims to achieve sustainable reform of the transfer system and secure fair compensation for affected players.
“We also recognise the importance of recent advances at European level, particularly thanks to the strong partnership that (players' union) FIFPRO Europe has developed with UEFA,” Terrier added.
“Building on these achievements, the UNFP will play its full role as a social partner to enable the emergence of renewed governance and an objective, transparent and balanced transfer system.”
In October 2024, UEFA signed a landmark partnership agreement with FIFPRO, granting the global players' union a seat on its executive committee. This move aims to prioritize player welfare and give players a stronger voice in decision-making processes. FIFPRO will be represented on the UEFA Executive Committee in an advisory capacity, starting May next year. This partnership allows FIFPRO to contribute to discussions on player employment conditions, workload, and other critical issues affecting professional footballers.
Powerful Endorsement for Justice for Players
Lucia Melcherts, chair of the JfP Foundation, hailed the UNFP's decision to join the lawsuit as “a powerful endorsement” of their mission to achieve reform of FIFA's transfer system and secure compensation for affected players.
The group is urging all players who have played for clubs in the EU or United Kingdom since 2002 to join the legal action through the justiceforplayers.com website “in order to secure the compensation that is owed to them.”
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