FIFA Settles Transfer Rules Dispute with Lassana Diarra

FIFA and Lassana Diarra have reached a settlement in the disputed transfer‑rules case, effectively ending the litigation.

The governing body did not disclose the settlement amount.

Diarra, 41, is a former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder who sued FIFA over rules he said breach EU free‑movement and competition law.

He claimed €65 million after the European Court of Justice upheld his challenge to a €10 million fine imposed when he terminated his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014.

FIFA’s statement stressed that the payment does not constitute an admission of liability.

Diarra’s legal team has not yet commented on the agreement.

The Dutch players’ group Justice for Players continues a mass claim on behalf of about 100 000 players for lost income caused by FIFA’s transfer regulations.

It remains unclear how the Diarra settlement will affect that claim.