Zapping Foot National Interview – The underside of amateur football, with Romain Molina
A case that could completely change the face of the world of football. Ten years ago, Lassana Diarra left Lokomotiv Moscow after being placed in the loft to join Belgium and SC Charleroi. Finally, Belgian justice decided to cancel the midfielder’s signing at Sporting Club. Since then, the former French international has been in legal battle with the Belgian Football Federation and FIFA. This Friday, the Court of Justice of the European Union made this long-awaited Friday. “The rules in question are likely to hinder the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work in a new club” declared the latter.
Charleroi did not wish to finalize the transfer, for fear of being ordered to pay the remainder of his contract at Lokomotiv despite his sudden salary cut and the termination of his contract. The recruiting club could also have exposed itself to sporting sanctions, which could go as far as a ban on recruitment. The CJEU particularly pointed out the regulations of the IFFA, a “private law association”, which wishes to “control” football at the global level. Lassana Diarra and his camp were therefore declared winners on this issue. And this could change everything, like the Bosman ruling of 1995, which put an end to quotas for foreign players in clubs.
Laws deemed contrary to free competition
Footballers will therefore no longer have as many constraints to change clubs. The latter could indeed be required to pay large sums in the event of departure “without valid reason”. Like what former Olympique de Marseille player Pape Gueye experienced when he arrived in the South of France, after failing at Watford. An “imprecise”, “discretionary” or “disproportionate” process according to the magistrates in charge of this crucial case for the world of football. The Court of Justice of the European Union also underlines that all the laws put in place by FIFA on this subject are contrary to free competition.
To summarize
A case that could completely change the face of the world of football. Ten years ago, Lassana Diarra left Lokomotiv Moscow after being placed in the loft to join Belgium and SC Charleroi.
