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Int'l Business Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Int'l Business Times
Lassana Diarra Seeks 65 Mn Euros From FIFA And Belgian FA In Transfer Case
Former France international Lassana Diarra is seeking 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian football association as part of a long-running legal battle, the player's lawyer announced on Monday. Diarra's challenge to FIFA prompted world football's governing body to amend its transfer rules after a landmark legal ruling last year, but he has been unable to reach a settlement. His lawyer Martin Hissel said the claim was for "compensation... (for) damage caused as a result of these FIFA rules" on transfers, which the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled to be contrary to European law last October. "Following a ruling by the CJEU, in the absence of an amicable solution, the next logical step is to return to the national courts so that they can implement the CJEU ruling," Hissel said in a statement. "That is therefore what we are doing now, on the basis of a very clear CJEU ruling that has settled all the key legal points. The Belgian courts should hand down their decisions in 12 to 15 months." The CJEU in October found that FIFA rules impede the free movement of players by "imposing considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them", thereby disrupting the transfer system. At the request of the Belgian courts, the Luxembourg-based CJEU examined the case brought by Diarra, who 10 years ago had contested the conditions of his departure from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow. In August 2014, Lokomotiv Moscow terminated Diarra's contract citing contractual breaches by the player. The Russian side also sought 20 million euros compensation from him. Diarra refused and requested that Lokomotiv pay him compensation, but the now 40-year-old was eventually ordered to pay his former club 10 million euros by FIFA, a fine that was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diarra also received a backdated 15-month suspension. As a result, Belgian club Charleroi ultimately decided not to sign the midfielder for fear of having to pay part of these penalties, in accordance with FIFA regulations examined by the CJEU. Following the CJEU's ruling, FIFA announced last December it had adopted an "interim regulatory framework" regarding player transfers. "I waited a few months before restarting the national proceedings in Belgium, thinking that FIFA and the Belgian Federation, in particular following FIFPRO Europe's (the European players' union) efforts to favour an outcome, would at least have the decency to approach me to propose an amicable settlement of the dispute (this was, incidentally, the tone of the messages I received from FIFA)," said Diarra in a statement. "This was not the case. That is their right, but it reflects a continuing culture of contempt for the rule of law and for players, despite the crystal-clear message sent by the CJEU. "To my great regret, we will therefore once again have to explain ourselves before the judges, as I have no other choice." The move was welcomed by Justice for Players -- a foundation aimed at advocating for the interests of professional footballers across Europe. "We stand firmly alongside Mr Diarra... and we urge all players who have played for an EU or UK club since 2002 to join the class action being brought by Justice for Players to demand real changes to the FIFA Rules," said Lucia Melcherts, the chair of the foundation's board. Capped 34 times by France, Diarra also played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth and Real Madrid before ending his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
Arab News
19 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
FIFA hit with $76m claim by Lassana Diarra in decade-long football transfer rules case
GENEVA: Lawyers for former France international Lassana Diarra said Monday he is claiming €65 million ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian Football Federation after a landmark legal win about transfer rules. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Diarra's decade-long challenge to FIFA after a breakdown in relations with his former club Lokomotiv Moscow led to a ruling at the European Court of Justice last October that some aspects of football transfer rules do not comply with the 27-nation European Union's labor and competition laws. Lawyers for the 40-year-old former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder cited 'unsuccessful settlement negotiations with FIFA' for the financial claim for damages throughout his career. 'Lassana Diarra is claiming €65 million gross (€35 million net) in compensation from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association,' his legal firm Dupont Hissel said in a statement. FIFA said it would not comment about 'on-going legal matters' — the latest high-stakes legal challenge to their authority. Football's governing body said in a statement it 'has been working with its stakeholders to amend its regulations following the guidance offered by the ECJ.' Diarra's case, which is back in court in Belgium, is supported by the global players' union FIFPRO, its European division and their national member union in France. The legal case started in the home country of Charleroi, the Belgian club that wanted to sign Diarra after his contract in Moscow was terminated. FIFA transfer rules at the time made the player and the potential signing club liable for paying the former club when a contract was ruled to have been broken without 'just cause.' The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld FIFA's ruling in favor of Lokomotiv. The case was sent to the European court in Luxembourg which said some aspects of the FIFA rules 'hinder the free movement of players and competition between clubs.' Diarra's dispute with Lokomotiv and FIFA forced him to miss the 2014-15 season. He then signed for Marseille and ended his career at Paris Saint-Germain six years ago. 'I am doing this for myself,' Diarra said in a statement Monday published by his lawyers. 'And if I have been able to hold out against the FIFA steamroller, it is because I had a good career.' '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,' he said. Diarra's lawyers also are working on a class action suit filed this month against FIFA and some national football federations in Europe which claims could benefit 100,000 players over more than two decades.
News18
20 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Lassana Diarra Asks 65 Million Euros From FIFA, Belgian FA As 'Compensation For Damage Caused'
Last Updated: Ex-France player Lassana Diarra seeks €65M from FIFA and Belgian FA over transfer rules deemed against EU law by CJEU. His lawyer expects a decision in 12-15 months. Former France international Lassana Diarra is seeking 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian football association as part of a long-standing legal dispute, announced his lawyer on Monday. Diarra's challenge to FIFA led the world football's governing body to revise its transfer rules following a landmark legal ruling last year, but he has yet to reach a settlement. His lawyer, Martin Hissel, stated the claim seeks 'compensation for damage caused by FIFA rules" on transfers, which the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) deemed contrary to European law last October. 'Following a ruling by the CJEU, in the absence of an amicable solution, it is natural to return to the national courts so that they can implement the CJEU ruling," Hissel said in a statement. 'That is what we are doing today, on the basis of a very clear ruling by the CJEU, which has settled all the essential legal points. The Belgian courts should deliver their decisions within 12 to 15 months." The CJEU found in October that FIFA rules hinder the free movement of players by 'imposing considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks, as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them," thereby disrupting the transfer system. At the Belgian courts' request, the Luxembourg-based CJEU examined Diarra's case, who contested the conditions of his departure from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow ten years ago. In August 2014, Lokomotiv Moscow terminated Diarra's contract, citing contractual breaches by the player. The Russian club also sought 20 million euros compensation from him. Diarra refused and demanded Lokomotiv pay him compensation, but the now 40-year-old was eventually ordered by FIFA to pay his former club 10 million euros, a fine upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diarra also received a backdated 15-month suspension. As a result, Belgian club Charleroi ultimately decided not to sign the midfielder, fearing the obligation to pay part of these penalties, in line with FIFA regulations examined by the CJEU. Following the CJEU ruling, FIFA announced last December it had adopted an 'interim regulatory framework" regarding player transfers. 'I waited a few months before restarting the national proceedings in Belgium, thinking that, particularly following the efforts of FIFPRO Europe (the European players' union), FIFA and the Belgian football association would at least have the decency to contact me to propose an amicable settlement of the dispute (this was, in fact, the tone of the messages I received from FIFA)," said Diarra in a statement. 'This was not the case. It is their right, but it reflects a persistent culture of contempt for the rule of law and for players, despite the very clear message sent by the CJEU. 'To my great regret, we will therefore once again have to go before the judges, as I have no other choice." Capped 34 times by France, Diarra also played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth, and Real Madrid before ending his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : FIFA football Lassana Diarra view comments Location : Paris, France First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Lassana Diarra seeks €65 million from Fifa, Belgian FA
PARIS: Former France international Lassana Diarra is seeking €65 million (US$76 million) from Fifa and the Belgian football association as part of a long-running legal battle, his lawyer announced on Monday. Diarra's challenge to Fifa prompted the world football governing body to amend its transfer rules after a landmark legal ruling last year, but he has been unable to reach a settlement. His lawyer, Martin Hissel, said the claim was for "compensation for damage caused by Fifa rules" on transfers, which the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled to be contrary to European law last October. "Following a ruling by the CJEU, in the absence of an amicable solution, it is natural to return to the national courts so that they can implement the CJEU ruling," Hissel said in a statement. "That is what we are doing today, on the basis of a very clear ruling by the CJEU, which has settled all the essential legal points. The Belgian courts should deliver their decisions within 12 to 15 months." The CJEU in October found that Fifa rules impede the free movement of players by "imposing considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them", thereby disrupting the transfer system. At the request of the Belgian courts, the Luxembourg-based CJEU examined the case brought by Diarra, who 10 years ago had contested the conditions of his departure from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow. In August 2014, Lokomotiv Moscow terminated Diarra's contract, citing contractual breaches by the player. The Russian side also sought €20 million in compensation from him. Diarra refused and requested that Lokomotiv pay him compensation, but the now 40-year-old was eventually ordered to pay his former club €10 million by Fifa, a fine that was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diarra also received a backdated 15-month suspension. As a result, Belgian club Charleroi ultimately decided not to sign the midfielder for fear of having to pay part of these penalties, in accordance with Fifa regulations examined by the CJEU. Following the CJEU's ruling, Fifa announced last December it had adopted an "interim regulatory framework" regarding player transfers. "I waited a few months before restarting the national proceedings in Belgium, thinking that, particularly following the efforts of FIFPRO Europe (the European players' union), Fifa and the Belgian football association would at least have the decency to contact me to propose an amicable settlement of the dispute (this was, in fact, the tone of the messages I received from Fifa)," Diarra said in a statement. "This was not the case. It is their right, but it reflects a persistent culture of contempt for the rule of law and for players, despite the very clear message sent by the CJEU. "To my great regret, we will therefore once again have to go before the judges, as I have no other choice." Capped 34 times by France, Diarra also played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth and Real Madrid before ending his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
FIFA hit with $76M claim by Lassana Diarra in decade-long soccer transfer rules case
Article content GENEVA — Lawyers for former France international Lassana Diarra said Monday he is claiming 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian soccer federation after a landmark legal win about transfer rules. Article content Diarra's decade-long challenge to FIFA after a breakdown in relations with his former club Lokomotiv Moscow led to a ruling at the European Court of Justice last October that some aspects of soccer's transfer rules do not comply with the 27-nation European Union's labor and competition laws. Article content Article content Lawyers for the 40-year-old former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder cited 'unsuccessful settlement negotiations with FIFA' for the financial claim for damages throughout his career. Article content Article content Soccer's governing body said in a statement it 'has been working with its stakeholders to amend its regulations following the guidance offered by the ECJ.' Article content Diarra's case, which is back in court in Belgium, is supported by the global players' union FIFPRO, its European division and their national member union in France. Article content The legal case started in the home country of Charleroi, the Belgian club that wanted to sign Diarra after his contract in Moscow was terminated. Article content Article content FIFA transfer rules at the time made the player and the potential signing club liable for paying the former club when a contract was ruled to have been broken without 'just cause.' The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld FIFA's ruling in favor of Lokomotiv. Article content The case was sent to the European court in Luxembourg which said some aspects of the FIFA rules 'hinder the free movement of players and competition between clubs.' Article content Diarra's dispute with Lokomotiv and FIFA forced him to miss the 2014-15 season. He then signed for Marseille and ended his career at Paris Saint-Germain six years ago. Article content 'I am doing this for myself,' Diarra said in a statement Monday published by his lawyers. 'And if I have been able to hold out against the FIFA steamroller, it is because I had a good career.' Article content '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,' he said. Article content
