FIFA and the European Union at odds... Subject: Player contracts

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the EU's highest court, has announced its decision regarding a case brought by former French footballer Lassana Diarra, which was referred by the Court of Appeal in Mons, Belgium.

In a written statement regarding the decision, it was stated, "A former professional footballer residing in France challenged some of the rules adopted by FIFA in Belgian courts. The player argued that these rules prevented him from being employed by a Belgian football club."

It was noted that the FIFA rules in question stipulate that if a player terminates their contract without just cause and signs with a new club, the former club can claim compensation from both the player and the new club.

The statement also recalled that according to the rules, as long as the dispute regarding the termination of the contract continues, the new club is not issued an International Transfer Certificate, and there are even sanctions such as banning the new club from signing new players for a certain period.

The statement noted that the Court of Justice concluded that all of these rules are contrary to EU law, stating first that the rules hinder the free movement of footballers between EU countries, and secondly, that they restrict or even prevent cross-border competition between clubs. In the subsequent process, the Mons Court of Appeal will handle and adjudicate the case in accordance with the opinion received from the Court of Justice.