Overview

• On August 18, 2025, Lassana Diarra filed a €65 million lawsuit in Belgian courts against FIFA and the Belgian football federation over transfer rules dating back to his 2014 contract dispute.
• His legal team says initial estimated losses of €10.5 million were adjusted for inflation, interest, and the time elapsed to arrive at the €65 million claim.
• The lawsuit rests on an October 2024 CJEU ruling that found several of FIFA’s transfer regulations incompatible with EU labour and competition law.
• FIFPRO has endorsed Diarra’s action and his lawyers are drafting a broader collective lawsuit that could affect up to 100,000 players across Europe.
• FIFA has declined to comment publicly and says it is working with stakeholders to amend its transfer regulations in line with EU court guidance.