FIFA's momentous announcement on the subject of transfers

The Lassana Diarra affair, a few weeks ago, caused a major upheaval in the transfer system. In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that certain FIFA rules regarding transfers between clubs were contrary to European Union law. This decision follows the case of Lassana Diarra, a former OM player, who had contested the conditions of his departure from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014. Due to a salary reduction, Diarra had tried to terminate his contract, but the Moscow club had demanded compensation of 10.5 million euros for the damage suffered, which had prevented Sporting de Charleroi from recruiting the player for fear of financial sanctions.

The CJEU ruled that FIFA rules, in particular those concerning transfer compensation and financial solidarity of clubs, hindered the free movement of players within the EU. These rules imposed unpredictable legal and financial risks that could discourage clubs from signing players, thereby limiting cross-border competition.

FIFA suspends all ongoing transfer cases

As a result, FIFA made a big announcement this Tuesday. The international body simply suspended all ongoing cases linked to these rules, paving the way for major changes in the transfer market, pending new case law with the Diarra affair. With enormous possible effects. From the 2025 winter transfer window, players could leave their club without financial penalties, and disciplinary sanctions against clubs and players not respecting the rules will be paused. Although FIFA announced that a reinstatement of the rules was possible, this decision marks an important turning point in the regulation of professional player transfers.

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