Lassana Diarra sues FIFA: €65m case will change the transfer market forever

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 18 Aug 2025 11:54 BST
• 5 min read

Analysis

Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Lassana Diarra has confirmed that he will sue FIFA in a case that will have far-reaching consequences for the future of football transfers.

Fuelled by a contract dispute that he had while with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2015, the ex-France international star is going to war with football’s governing body. He is claiming €65 million in compensation.

It is a case that promises to have the biggest impact on the transfer market since the Bosman Ruling in 1995.

In a statement issued by FIFPro, it is confirmed that Diarra is pursuing “full compensation for career damages caused by FIFA’s illegal transfer system”.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has already ruled in the former player’s favour, and now he is using the Belgian justice system to get what he believes he deserves.

“I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That's more than 11 years!” Diarra said in a statement.

“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.”

What happened to Lassana Diarra?

FootballTransfers has previously covered Diarra’s case in depth, but here’s a recap of the situation.

While under contract with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2015, the Russian side attempted to reduce his salary. In response, Diarra refused to train.

Lokomotiv then sued him. FIFA regulations put Diarra in breach of contract and instructed him to pay back half his €20 million transfer fee to the club.

Arguing that he had nothing to do with the fee agreed between Lokomotiv and Anzhi for his transfer, Diarra was also prevented from receiving an international transfer certificate, effectively denying him the opportunity to work.

Belgian side Charleroi wanted to sign him but were unable to complete the deal, fearful that they would be liable for Diarra’s outstanding transfer fee owed to Lokomotiv.

He ultimately went on to play for Marseille, Al-Jazira and PSG, but lost a large portion of his career due to the incident.

How could the transfer market change

The current structure of the football transfer window could be overhauled in light of the CJEU finding against FIFA’s current system.

“The CJEU ruled that some FIFA transfer rules violated EU principles of free movement of workers and competition law,” FIFPro claims.

“The court reinforced the concept of freedom of movement and recognised that the transfer system was preventing the players from exercising their right to terminate employment contracts without just cause, even if that right was in principle recognised in the regulations.”

Diarra’s case has spawned Justice for Players (JfP), which is a foundation that has launched a class action in the Netherlands to allow all players to claim compensation against FIFA’s transfer regulations, without having to pay upfront legal costs or reveal their identities.

It is likely to be the final months of the decade before a resolution is found in the JfP case, so there will be no changes anytime soon.

In the meantime, all eyes will be on Diarra, whose individual compensation claim is expected to be resolved in the next 18 months. If he is successful in winning €65m in his settlement battle with FIFA, it will be another big step in altering the football transfer market forever.

Football transfer news headlines today

Alexander Isak signs for Liverpool and five transfers to be completed this week

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today

Man Utd launch EXCITING midfielder move after Baleba disappointment

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd’s NEXT keeper, Chelsea STEP UP talks, Pep’s IDEAL signing

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store