Global player union Fifpro has been accused of abandoning footballers by agreeing to a deal with Fifa that includes dropping all legal action against the governing body. Justice For Players, a group representing players in a class action lawsuit, expressed disappointment, stating that Fifpro's agreement potentially undermines their ongoing claim for billions in compensation.
Justice For Players estimates that 100,000 footballers lost eight percent of their earnings due to Fifa's transfer framework, which was ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice in the 2024 Diarra ruling. Lawyer Koen Rutten for Justice For Players stated that Fifa earns billions from players and should compensate those harmed by its past wrongdoing. He added that while it is good for Fifpro to have a seat at the table for future rule development, players from 2001 to the present are being left "in the cold" without compensation.
Fifpro had been pursuing legal action against Fifa concerning the expansion of the global match calendar. However, they agreed to drop this lawsuit after Fifa granted them a position in future discussions and announced new transfer rules designed to comply with the Diarra ruling. Justice For Players maintains that national player unions have not yet withdrawn their support for the class action, which they claim has the backing of thousands of current and former footballers. Rutten expressed confidence that they will succeed in resolving claims for past damages.
