ARTICLE · 16 OCTOBER 2024

Game Changer: CJEU Declares FIFA's Player Transfer Rules Unlawful

Van Olmen & Wynant

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On 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg issued a judgment that might change the game for European football clubs.

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Van Olmen & Wynant

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On 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg issued a judgment that might change the game for European football clubs.

The decision was made following a request for preliminary ruling of the Court of Appeal of Mons, Belgium. Lassana Diarra, a French former professional football player took FIFA to court stating that its rules prevented him from entering into a contract with a Belgian football club.

The Court of Justice decided that FIFA's international transfer rules for football players (Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players or RSTP) are incompatible with two EU law principles: the free movement of workers and the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements.

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