Protect the interests of your players
Act Now.
Background
The Diarra Ruling (CJEU, October 4, 2024) Declared Several Rules Imposed by FIFA Illegal.
Today, European justice paves the way for compensation.
Urgency
Why are You Affected?
As an agent, you are on the front line.
Because advising your players also means defending their rights.
Because every failed transfer also deprives the agent of their commissions.
Because a structured action in France finally offers a framework toobtain compensation.
How to proceed?
Your Role in the Action
Identify
the affected players (playing in France or having had a transfer blocked to France)
Assist
your talents in their registration.
Monitor
the case alongside the mandated lawyers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this Action Being Brought against FIFA and the FFF?
Since when Have these Rules been in Effect, and What Period Do We Cover?
What is Illegal in the Current Transfer Rules?
The CJEU censured several mechanisms:
- unpredictable and disproportionate termination indemnities;
- the automatic joint and several liability of the new club, without considering the actual circumstances;
- automatic sporting sanctions, such as a ban on recruiting for two transfer windows;
- the blocking of the international transfer certificate, allowing the former club to arbitrarily block a player.
These practices constitute clear obstacles to the free movement of workers (Art. 45 TFEU) and illicit restrictions on competition (Art. 101 TFEU).
Who Can Join this Action?
The action is open to all professional players who have played in France during their career within the period between 2002 and 2024, a period during which FIFA's transfer rules were applied by the French Football Federation (FFF).
This includes:
- players who have suffered a sporting or financial sanction in connection with an early termination of contract;
- contracted players whose transfer to France was blocked or delayed by the FIFA system;
- those who were forced to extend an unfavorable contract due to lack of mobility;
- more broadly, any player who has lost income or career opportunities due to the mechanisms deemed illegal.
Player agents linked to careers pursued in France can also join the action: the loss of commissions related to these impediments constitutes distinct economic damage.
What is the Cost for Players?
Participation is set at €100 excl. VAT (flat fee), and a success fee of 20% excl. VAT will be applied only in the event of a successful outcome. Players are not required to advance any other procedural costs: all expenses are covered by the funding body.
What Can I Expect to Recover from this Action?
What can I expect to recover from this action?
Econometric studies establish that players have lost an average of 8% of their annual remuneration due to FIFA rules. Depending on the case, the damage may correspond to:
- sums paid in indemnities or sporting sanctions;
- missed contracts or transfers;
- a decrease in market value;
- career losses or future income.
The amount will be assessed individually for each player.
What are the Chances of Success for this Action?
They are very high. The principle of unlawfulness has been definitively established since the Diarra ruling.
The only discussion will now concern the quantum of damages. National courts have a precise framework, inspired by European Directive 2014/104/EU, to ensure the effectiveness of compensation actions.
When Can a Decision be Expected, and What should be Done Now?
The duration will depend notably on the appointment of a judicial expert to quantify the damages.
Players must now come forward and provide their documents (contracts, transfer offers, blocked certificates, pay slips). This is essential for building a strong case and maximizing the chances of compensation.