FIFA Plans Overhaul of Transfer Rules After Legal Challenges

FIFA plans to initiate a global consultation regarding potential changes to its transfer system following a court ruling that some of its rules violate European Union laws. The decision stems from a case involving former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra, who sought damages from FIFA after the European Court of Justice ruled in his favor earlier this month. The court ruled that FIFA’s rules which require clubs to jointly pay compensation to a player’s former team when signing a free agent, limit players’ freedom of movement.

Diarra argued that these regulations infringe on his rights after his contract with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow terminated in 2014. The court noted that FIFA’s refusal to issue Diarra an international transfer certificate (ITC) for his proposed move to Belgian club Charleroi in 2015 highlighted existing issues. The court stated that these rules “impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.”

In light of the ruling, FIFA announced it would engage in a “global dialogue” with stakeholders in the football community to adapt its regulations. Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA’s chief legal and compliance officer expressed that FIFA sees the Diarra decision as an opportunity to modernize its regulatory framework, a goal that has remained a priority for the FIFA president since 2016.

Following the ruling, a FIFA spokesperson stated that the organization is satisfied that the legality of key principles within the transfer system remains reaffirmed. This consultation aims to create a more equitable transfer system that aligns with both players’ rights and the regulatory standards of the European Union.