Former French international Lassana Diarra and Fifa have reached a financial agreement putting an end to the dispute over the transfer system, AFP learned this Monday, June 8. The player demanded 65 million euros after a historic ruling by the CJEU. The international federation specifies that it has not paid any compensation.
Former French international Lassana Diarra, who claimed 65 million euros in damages from the International Football Federation (Fifa) and the Belgian Federation in a case linked to transfer rights, has reached an agreement with Fifa, we have learned AFP from a source close to the matter on Monday.
On October 4, 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), seized by Lassana Diarra, ruled that Fifa rules governing transfers between clubs were “opposites” to European Union law and “likely to hinder free movement” professional footballers, thus disrupting the transfer system.
What is the impact of this financial agreement for Fifa?
The former Blues player (35 caps) announced last October that he would turn to the Belgian justice system to implement the CJEU’s ruling.
Contacted by AFP, Fifa indicated that“Following the global agreement they reached, Mr. Lassana Diarra and Fifa put an end to all legal proceedings opposing them”adding that FIFA “does not recognize any fault, and has not made any payment of compensation.”
Lassana Diarra’s lawyers told AFP that they were unable to comment at this stage.
A legal battle born from a conflict in Moscow
The origin of this affair is Diarra’s challenge to the conditions of his departure from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014.
Due to a drastic reduction in his salary, Diarra left the Moscow club, but the latter deemed the break unfair and demanded 20 million euros from him, reduced to 10.5 million.
Consequence: the Belgian club Charleroi finally gave up recruiting the Frenchman for fear of having to assume part of these penalties, in accordance with Fifa regulations studied by the CJEU.
A major upheaval for the transfer market
Following the CJEU decision called “arrêt Diarra”Fifa has adjusted its regulations on player transfers.
The Justice for Players foundation also launched a class action aimed at greater justice in transfers, an initiative joined by various national unions of professional footballers, including the French union (UNFP).
