Ex-Arsenal player’s case against FIFA could have Bosman-like impact on transfers

Former Arsenal player Lassana Diarra will learn the outcome of his case against FIFA next week, and it could have a major impact on football transfers.

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra is at the centre of a legal case against FIFA, stemming from his spell with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow.

To briefly recap what happened, after Diarra fell out with Lokomotiv head coach Leonid Kuchuk, the club tried to reduce his salary. He refused to take the pay cut and refused to show up to training, and the club cancelled his contract over that refusal.

Lokomotiv then took the matter to FIFA, who banned the player, before the court of arbitration for sport ordered Diarra to pay them €10.5m plus interest in compensation for the €20m transfer fee they’d paid for him.

The legal case is based largely on what happened next. Belgian club Royal Charleroi made Diarra an offer, but ultimately pulled out when they received no guarantees that they wouldn’t have to pay compensation to Lokomotiv.

The Guardian report that Diarra’s legal team are arguing that this amounts to a restriction of trade and a breach of European labour law, as FIFA refused to issue the international transfer certificate (ITC) that would have allowed Diarra to engage in his profession.

The Court of Justice of the European Union are now deciding whether FIFA’s refusal was lawful or not.

If not, FIFA would reportedly have to overhaul the whole ITC process. And current assessments suggest it’s likely the ruling will go against FIFA.

The result could be FIFA losing its authority in the transfer market, with clubs and players in control instead.

The decision will be confirmed on October 4th, so this is certainly a story to keep an eye on this week.