Key facts
- Fifa is accused of using bullying tactics to end a class action lawsuit seeking billions in lost earnings for footballers.
- The lawsuit stems from the European Court of Justice's Diarra Ruling, which declared Fifa's transfer rules illegal.
- Global union Fifpro agreed to drop legal claims and not support Justice For Players in exchange for a say in future regulations.
- Justice For Players estimates 100,000 footballers lost 8% of earnings over two decades due to Fifa's transfer framework.
- Fifa settled with former player Lassana Diarra last month without financial compensation or admitting liability.
- Justice For Players anticipates a hearing on the claim's admissibility in the Netherlands in early 2027.
Fifa is facing accusations of employing bullying tactics to dismantle a substantial class action lawsuit that seeks billions in compensation for current and former football players who allegedly lost earnings due to the governing body's transfer rules.
The legal challenge, pursued by Justice For Players, is rooted in the European Court of Justice's Diarra Ruling, which deemed Fifa's transfer framework illegal approximately 18 months ago. Initially, the claim had garnered support from around 20 national and international trade unions.
However, many of these unions are reportedly set to withdraw their public backing following an agreement reached with Fifa just before the World Cup. According to reports, global union Fifpro agreed to cease all legal claims against Fifa and to advise its member bodies against supporting Justice For Players. In return, Fifpro secured a formal role in future regulatory changes.
Koen Rutten, a lawyer for Justice For Players, told City AM that Fifa "forced or bullied them into this MOU" (memorandum of understanding). He expressed hope that Fifpro could negotiate effectively and achieve genuine change for players, but voiced skepticism about the details and impact of the agreement.
Justice For Players estimates that approximately 100,000 footballers experienced an eight percent reduction in earnings over two decades as a consequence of Fifa's transfer system, which the ECJ found incompatible with European law. The group claims its attempts to negotiate a settlement with Fifa have been ignored.
Fifa settled with former player Lassana Diarra last month, stating no financial compensation was paid and no liability was admitted. The day after this settlement, Fifa announced significant revisions to its transfer rules and pledged to consult Fifpro on future reforms. Rutten views these developments as a victory, suggesting Fifa's actions implicitly acknowledge the viability of the class action claim, as they are allegedly trying to prevent compensation for harmed players.
Justice For Players anticipates a hearing regarding the admissibility of its claim in the Netherlands in early 2027.