CJEU/Lassana Diarra Case: "There should now be more clarity & protection for players" (FIFPRO)

"The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU/ECJ) has confirmed again (on 04/10/2024) that professional footballers are workers and that therefore EU and labour law applies to them. As such, there should now be more clarity and protection for players considering terminating their contracts," said FIFPRO in an article published on its website on 22/05/2025.

"The European Court of Justice ruled in favour of former Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC (Premier League) and Real Madrid CF (LALIGA EA Sports) midfielder Lassana Diarra (FRA) after it found central parts of FIFA's transfer rules break European Union law. It is a landmark judgement set to improve professional footballers' freedom of movement," explained FIFPRO in the article entitled "The Lassana Diarra judgement explained: What does it mean for footballers?".

"The ruling handed down by the CJEU on 04/10/2024 is a strong decision, but it does not call into question the framework laid down by FIFA with regard to transfers. Even though the principles of freedom of movement for workers and freedom of trade exist, the ruling states that…