Lassana Diarra's Legal Battle: An Epic Fight Against FIFA's Transfer Rules

Former French midfielder Lassana Diarra is reigniting his legal battle against FIFA and the Belgian FA, claiming 65 million euros in damages. This action follows an EU court ruling questioning certain FIFA rules. Diarra's decade-long fight aims to aid lesser-known players lacking resources to challenge FIFA.

Former France midfielder Lassana Diarra is once again embroiled in a legal tussle, seeking 65 million euros in damages from FIFA and the Belgian FA. This development comes on the heels of a pivotal ruling by the European Union's top court (CJEU) in October, which found certain FIFA regulations in conflict with EU laws.

The football governing body, FIFA, had previously fined the ex-Arsenal, Chelsea, and Real Madrid player 10 million euros after he exited Lokomotiv Moscow a year into his contract in 2014. Diarra's renewed legal efforts, aimed at the Belgian court, follow a hope for amicable resolution, which remained unreciprocated by FIFA and the Belgian FA.

In a statement endorsed by players' unions FIFPRO, FIFPRO Europe, and France's UNFP, Diarra expressed his resolve, marking over a decade of legal struggle since 2014. The decision by CJEU has triggered a ripple effect, encouraging a Dutch soccer group to contemplate a Europe-wide class action against FIFA. This broader litigation targets compensation for income lost due to FIFA's restrictive transfer policies.

(With inputs from agencies.)