FIFPRO, FIFPRO Europe and UNFP have just issued a press release explaining the national proceedings that Lassana DIARRA (with the support of FIFPRO, FIFPRO Europe and UNFP) is forced to restart in order to obtain, in accordance with the CJEU ruling of 4 October 2024, compensation for the damage caused to him by the FIFA rules declared illegal by the CJEU.

In addition to this press release (https://fifpro.org/en/who-we-are/fifpro-members/fifpro-europe/lassana-diarra-seeks-rightful-damages-following-cjeu-victory), Lassana DIARRA states:

"I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That's more than 11 years!

I am doing this for myself. And if I have been able to hold out against the FIFA steamroller, it is because I had a good career.

But I have also done it for all the up and coming, lesser known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges.

FIFA and the Belgian Football Association lost before the CJEU. Across the board! Subsequently, FIFA has amended its regulations but has decided to do so in a way that does not comply with the strict requirements imposed by the CJEU judgement.

I waited a few months before restarting the national proceedings in Belgium, thinking that FIFA and the Belgian Federation, in particular following FIFPRO’s and FIFPRO Europe’s efforts to favour an outcome, would at least have the decency to approach me to propose an amicable settlement of the dispute (this was, incidentally, the tone of the messages I received from FIFA). This was not the case. That is their right, but it reflects a continuing culture of contempt for the rule of law and for players, despite the crystal-clear message sent by the CJEU.

To my great regret, we will therefore once again have to explain ourselves before the judges, as I have no other choice.

On this note, I would like to thank FIFPRO Europe, FIFPRO and the UNFP for their unwavering support, as they continue to stand firmly by my side. When facing FIFA, only unity and determination can make us strong.

Finally, I am delighted that the "DIARRA ruling" has paved the way for the "Justice for Players" foundation to launch a class action in the Netherlands that will enable all players (not only those who, like me, have suffered specific damage) to obtain compensation for the harm caused by the FIFA regulations, without having to pay legal costs upfront and without having to reveal their identity (see www.justiceforplayers.com).

Martin HISSEL ("DUPONT-HISSEL", the law firm representing Lassana DIARRA) states:

"Following a ruling by the CJEU, in the absence of an amicable solution, the next logical step is to return to the national courts so that they can implement the CJEU ruling. This is therefore what we are doing now, on the basis of a very clear CJEU ruling that has settled all the key legal points. The Belgian courts should hand down their decisions in 12 to 15 months. It should be noted that, in accordance with EU law, the URBSFA and FIFA will be jointly and severally liable for the damages awarded to our client by the Belgian court.

It should also be noted that, based on the CJEU ruling, all players who had or still have to pursue their careers under the illegal FIFA rules (i.e. all professional players who played or are playing in an EU Member State or in the UK, since 2002) are entitled to compensation (i.e. not only players who, like Mr DIARRA, suffered specific damage as a result of these FIFA rules, such players being able to obtain - in addition - compensation for this specific damage).

This is precisely the aim of the class action lawsuit just launched by “Justice for Players”, represented by “Finch Dispute Resolution”: to enable all players (whether their damage is simply 'general' or more specific) to obtain compensation, while at the same time securing significant governance reforms for the benefit of all current and future professional players.

For any media request, please contact m.hissel@elegis.be