Former Real Madrid star sues FIFA for 65 million Euros in compensation.

19/08/2025 11:47:00 PANDATV

French ex-international Lassana Diarra has stated that he is seeking 65 million euros (76 million USD) in damages from FIFA and the Belgian Football Federation.

Recently, lawyers representing Lassana Diarra announced he is demanding 65 million euros (76 million USD) from FIFA and the Belgian Football Federation after winning a landmark case regarding transfer regulations.

Diarra’s decade-long legal battle with FIFA began over a dispute with his former club Lokomotiv Moscow. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that certain football transfer rules do not comply with EU labor and competition laws.

Cựu sao Real kiện FIFA bồi thường 65 triệu Euro 687584 — Lassana Diarra is suing FIFA and seeking 65 million Euros in compensation.

The conflict between Lassana Diarra and FIFA originated ten years ago. Before the 2014-2015 season, Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra after he terminated his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow. Under FIFA rules at the time, both the player and the new club were responsible for compensating the previous club if a contract was broken without “just cause.” This led to a dispute, which escalated to court. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) initially ruled in favor of Lokomotiv, but later the ECJ found that some FIFA regulations “restrict players’ freedom to transfer and competition among clubs.”

Disputes with Lokomotiv and FIFA caused Diarra to miss the 2014-2015 season. He later joined Marseille and finished his career at Paris Saint-Germain six years ago.

Cựu sao Real kiện FIFA bồi thường 65 triệu Euro 687586 — The controversy between Diarra and Lokomotiv Moscow a decade ago sparked the lawsuit against FIFA.

FIFA declined to comment on “ongoing legal matters” but said it is working with stakeholders to revise regulations according to ECJ guidance.

The case has returned to Belgian courts and is receiving support from FIFPRO, the global players’ union, its European division, and the French players’ union.

“I am doing this for myself,” Diarra stated in a press release. “And if I am able to challenge the giant that is FIFA, it’s because I had a successful career.”

“But I am also doing this for all the young, lesser-known players who lack the financial and emotional resources to take on FIFA in a real court,” he added.

Diarra’s lawyers are also pursuing a class action lawsuit filed this month against FIFA and several European football federations, which could benefit 100,000 players over the past 20 years.

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