FIFA told to pay €65m by ex-Arsenal, Chelsea & Real Madrid star who won landmark court case against governing body

Diarra's legal saga dates back to a bitter dispute with his former club, Lokomotiv Moscow, in 2014. After a disagreement over his salary, Diarra's contract was terminated. Diarra was subsequently ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay Lokomotiv a staggering €10m for breach of contract. This ruling, combined with FIFA's regulations, created what his lawyers called "unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks" for any club that wanted to sign him. This legal entanglement effectively halted Diarra's career, as a promising move to Belgian side Sporting Charleroi was cancelled, leaving him unable to play professional football for over a year.

With the backing of the global players’ union, FIFPRO, Diarra took his case to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), arguing that FIFA’s transfer rules unlawfully restricted his right to the “free movement of workers” under EU law. In a landmark verdict, the CJEU sided with Diarra, ruling that FIFA’s regulations created “unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks” for players. This judgment is a historic moment in sports law, targeting player rights to terminate a contract prematurely—a new frontier that builds upon the groundbreaking 1995 Bosman ruling, which focused on free transfers at the end of a contract.

With the legal principle now established, the case has moved to a new phase: a claim for compensation. Diarra is now seeking €65m (£56m/$76m) in damages from FIFA and the Belgian FA. Backed by the global players' union FIFPRO, Diarra has stressed that his fight is not just for himself. He has spoken out to protect "promising and lesser-known players who don't have the financial and psychological means to face FIFA before real judges." This sentiment has given rise to the "Justice for Players" class-action lawsuit, which is now preparing to claim billions of euros in damages on behalf of an estimated 100,000 footballers who were also affected by FIFA's restrictive rules since 2002.

Following FIFA's refusal to reach an amicable settlement, Diarra's case will now return to the Belgian national courts for enforcement. His legal representative, Martin Hissel, expects a ruling within 12 to 15 months. For Diarra, the immediate future is about finally receiving the compensation he believes he is owed for the damage done to his career. However, his lasting legacy is now secured. Like Jean-Marc Bosman before him, Diarra has become a revolutionary figurehead for player rights.