The International Federation of Professional Football Players (FIFPRO) issued an official announcement that former professional player Las Diyala (who has played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and other teams) sued FIFA, demanding that FIFA claim losses caused by unreasonable transfer rules, totaling 65 million euros.
FIFPRO announcement↓
After the failed settlement negotiations with FIFA, Las Diyala is seeking legitimate compensation for damages caused by his illegal transfer rules in the Belgian court, and has been fully supported by the International Federation of Professional Football Players (FIFPRO), the European Federation of Professional Football Players (FIFPRO Europe) and the French League of Professional Football Players (UNFP).
Based on the landmark ruling of the European Court of Justice on October 4, 2024, Las Diyala has appealed to the Belgian court, demanding full compensation for FIFA's career damages caused to players due to its illegal transfer provisions.
The EU Court ruled to confirm the violation
The EU Court ruled that some FIFA transfer rules violated the EU principle of free movement of workers and competition law. The court strengthened the concept of free flow and recognized that the current transfer system prevented players from exercising their right to terminate their labor contracts without justifiable reasons—even if that right is recognized in principle in the rules.
FIFPRO believes this confirms that players bound by these rules have suffered throughout their careers since 2001.
Damage Assessment and Compensation Claims
Independent Economic Analysis Confirmed that Las Diyala suffered significant losses throughout her career due to FIFA's restrictive transfer regulations. Based on expert evaluation, Diyala is seeking full compensation from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association, and the interest will continue to accumulate until the payment is completed.
New proceedings
This lawsuit, together with the proceedings heard by the Court of Appeal, together constitute the continuation of the lawsuit initiated by Diyala in 2015. The reason for choosing the judicial approach was that friendly negotiations failed. FIFA refused to resolve the players' legitimate demands on compensation for career losses with a constructive attitude.
International Federation of Professional Football Players, European Federation of Professional Football Players and French Professional Football Players League will continue to provide full support to ensure that Las Diarra receives compensation protected by applicable laws of Belgium and the EU. In 2014, Diyala clashed with the coach of the team Locomotive Moscow. He refused to cut his salary and stopped training. In the end, Moscow Locomotive fired Diyala.
After that, Moscow Locomotive sued Diyala to FIFA. In 2016, FIFA, supported by the International Court of Arbitration for Sports, made a ruling, finding Diyala breach of the contract and demanded that he pay 10 million euros to the Moscow Locomotive.
Diara then tried to transfer to Belgian side Charleroi, who sought to ensure they did not have to pay any compensation to the Moscow Locomotive. But FIFA refused to issue an ITC (International Transfer Certificate) to Charleroi, who could not register a newly signed player without ITC, so the deal failed.
Diara's lawyers filed a lawsuit over this, believing that FIFA's transfer provisions harmed Diyara's interests, restricted his freedom of movement, violated competition law, and demanded compensation.
The lawsuit finally came to an end in October last year. The European Supreme Court ruled on Diyala's lawsuit against FIFA, and the European Court ruled that some of FIFA's transfer rules violated EU law.
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source:7m con