Former French international Lassana Diarra is pursuing 65 million euros in damages from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) in a Belgian court, his legal team announced on Monday. The claim has the backing of the global players’ union FIFPro and the French professional footballers’ union UNFP, reports 24brussels.
In 2014, Diarra was fined 10 million euros by FIFA after he terminated his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow to join Sporting Charleroi. The Belgian club subsequently blocked the transfer to avoid bearing responsibility for the fine.
The former Real Madrid midfielder appealed the decision to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In October 2024, the CJEU ruled that FIFA’s regulations on unilateral contract terminations by professional players violate EU law. It stated that FIFA’s rules “restrict the free movement of players and competition between football clubs.”
65 million in damages
Following this ruling, Diarra has approached the Belgian courts to seek damages. The demand for 65 million euros arises from a preliminary inquiry referred by the Mons Court of Appeal. His law firm, Dupont-Hissel, anticipates a ruling within 12 to 15 months.
“I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That’s more than 11 years,” Diarra remarked in a press release on Monday. “I am doing this for myself … but I have also done it for all the up-and-coming, lesser-known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges.”
Diarra’s lawsuit is not an isolated case following the CJEU’s decision. Earlier this month, the Dutch players’ group Justice for Players initiated legal action against FIFA and various European football federations, citing financial losses attributable to stringent transfer regulations.
PHOTO © Bertrand GUAY / AFP
