FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations
NETHERLANDS, AUG 4 – Justice for Players files billion-euro lawsuit claiming FIFA's transfer rules caused 100,000 footballers in Europe and the UK to earn about 8% less over their careers, citing EU law violations.
- The Dutch organization Justice for Players plans to launch a billion-euro class action lawsuit in 2025 targeting FIFA and five national football associations.
- This legal action follows an October 2024 European Court of Justice ruling that some FIFA transfer rules violate EU laws on competition and free movement of labor.
- The foundation claims approximately 100,000 male and female players active since 2002 in the EU or UK lost significant earnings due to FIFA's restrictive contract and transfer regulations.
- Sports lawyer Dolf Segaar stated that the players face no risk in pursuing the claim and highlighted that both FIFA and the national football associations are being accused of shared responsibility, with damage estimates indicating players have earned roughly 8% less throughout their careers due to the regulations.
- The lawsuit, led by Dutch firm Finch Dispute Resolution and funded by Belgian firm Deminor, could lead to major changes in football governance and compensation for affected players.
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Among other things, a Dutch foundation wants to sue the World Football Association and the German Football Association for damages. Up to 100,000 professionals are said to have earned eight percent too little in the course of their career due to illegal restrictions.
A ruling by the ECJ of October 2024 could have legal consequences for FIFA and the DFB. The focus seems to be on illegal transfer rules.
The European Court of Justice decided last year that certain transfer rules of FIFA violate EU law. One organisation says: That's why football professionals earned decades less money. It wants to claim compensation.
Justice for Players, an association that protects the interests of football players in the Netherlands, is preparing a multi-billion euro lawsuit against the International Football Association Board (FIFA) and five other national football associations.
Football players set to take legal action against Fifa as they seek new powers in the sport
A group of current and former professional footballers are preparing to sue FIFA over the sport’s existing transfer system, in a case that could have massive implications for the global football landscape
Irish soccer players invited to join group ‘owed billions’ over contract and transfer rules
League of Ireland players and Irish players who took part in professional soccer in the UK and EU have been invited to join a “potentially billion-dollar” class action claim against Fifa and possibly other soccer associations.
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