Diarra ruling sparks Justice for Players class action against FIFA | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, around 1,000 footballers who have played in the French Championship have joined Justice for Players’ collective action against FIFA, launched after the Diarra ruling and aiming to secure compensation for alleged losses under past transfer rules.

In October 2024, the EU Court of Justice ruled FIFA’s 2002 transfer regulations unlawful. Those rules meant a player could not leave without club consent, or would otherwise be liable for wages due to the end of his contract.

The foundation, advised by Dupont-Hissel, the firm behind Bosman, announced a class action in summer 2025. It is due to be filed in the Netherlands within two to three months, seeking redress from 2002 to today, with Dutch players joined automatically.

Deminor has committed €20m to fund proceedings for a success fee. Compass Lexecon estimates losses at 8% of wage bills between 2002 and 2025, a theoretical €6bn across Europe and €8bn worldwide if 100,000 players were affected.

FIFPro has declined to be a party while backing the move publicly. France’s UNFP is a co-claimant and has mobilised sign-ups, bringing the claimant pool to between 2,000 and 3,000, with 16 other national unions supporting, including Italy’s AIC.

Beyond damages, FIFPro wants real social dialogue on conditions, transfers and calendars. In 2025 in Zurich, Gianni Infantino’s bid to have president Sergio Marchi drop litigation for talks was rejected. The landscape has since fractured, with David Aganzo launching a rival union, and in February 2026 Glenn Micaleff urged dialogue and athlete welfare.

Source: L'Équipe