Lassana Diarra Asks 65 Million Euros From FIFA, Belgian FA As 'Compensation For Damage Caused'

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 23:06 IST

Ex-France player Lassana Diarra seeks €65M from FIFA and Belgian FA over transfer rules deemed against EU law by CJEU. His lawyer expects a decision in 12-15 months.

Lassana Diarra restarting legal proceedings seeking 65 million euros in damages from FIFA and the Belgian FA (AP)

Former France international Lassana Diarra is seeking 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian football association as part of a long-standing legal dispute, announced his lawyer on Monday.

Diarra’s challenge to FIFA led the world football’s governing body to revise its transfer rules following a landmark legal ruling last year, but he has yet to reach a settlement.

His lawyer, Martin Hissel, stated the claim seeks “compensation for damage caused by FIFA rules" on transfers, which the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) deemed contrary to European law last October.

“Following a ruling by the CJEU, in the absence of an amicable solution, it is natural to return to the national courts so that they can implement the CJEU ruling," Hissel said in a statement.

“That is what we are doing today, on the basis of a very clear ruling by the CJEU, which has settled all the essential legal points. The Belgian courts should deliver their decisions within 12 to 15 months."

What Happened To Lassana Diarra?

The CJEU found in October that FIFA rules hinder the free movement of players by “imposing considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks, as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them," thereby disrupting the transfer system.

At the Belgian courts’ request, the Luxembourg-based CJEU examined Diarra’s case, who contested the conditions of his departure from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow ten years ago.

In August 2014, Lokomotiv Moscow terminated Diarra’s contract, citing contractual breaches by the player. The Russian club also sought 20 million euros compensation from him.

Diarra refused and demanded Lokomotiv pay him compensation, but the now 40-year-old was eventually ordered by FIFA to pay his former club 10 million euros, a fine upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diarra also received a backdated 15-month suspension.

As a result, Belgian club Charleroi ultimately decided not to sign the midfielder, fearing the obligation to pay part of these penalties, in line with FIFA regulations examined by the CJEU.

Following the CJEU ruling, FIFA announced last December it had adopted an “interim regulatory framework" regarding player transfers.

“I waited a few months before restarting the national proceedings in Belgium, thinking that, particularly following the efforts of FIFPRO Europe (the European players’ union), FIFA and the Belgian football association would at least have the decency to contact me to propose an amicable settlement of the dispute (this was, in fact, the tone of the messages I received from FIFA)," said Diarra in a statement.

“This was not the case. It is their right, but it reflects a persistent culture of contempt for the rule of law and for players, despite the very clear message sent by the CJEU.

“To my great regret, we will therefore once again have to go before the judges, as I have no other choice."

Capped 34 times by France, Diarra also played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth, and Real Madrid before ending his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

(With inputs from AFP)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

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First Published:

August 18, 2025, 23:06 IST

News sports Lassana Diarra Asks 65 Million Euros From FIFA, Belgian FA As 'Compensation For Damage Caused'

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