FIFA says it has reached a settlement with Diarra in the case over players’ transfer rights

FIFA has reached a settlement with former France midfielder Lassana Diarra in a case over players’ transfer rights, the global body said on Monday. ⁠Diarra had sought 65 million euros ($75 million) in damages from FIFA and the ‌Belgian FA, after the Supreme Court of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in ‌October that some world football body had broken EU law.

FIFA had fined Diarra 10 million euros after the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid player left Lokomotiv Moscow on a four-year contract in 2014.

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“Following the global agreement they reached, Lassana Diarra and FIFA have settled all legal proceedings between them,” FIFA said in a statement.

«FIFA has not made any admission of liability or payment in compensation. FIFA will have no further comment at this time.»

Diarra’s lawyers have yet to respond Reuters request for comment. FIFA later amended its transfer rules following the CJEU ruling, adopting an interim framework for calculating the compensation payable and the burden of proof if there is a breach of contract.

The “Diarra ruling” has since prompted around twenty European national players’ unions to pledge their support for a European collective action against FIFA.

Published on June 8, 2026