FIFA ТО OVERHAUL TRANSFER RULE
FIFA is stepping into negotiations with key figures in football after a game-changing ruling from the European Union deemed parts of its transfer system illegal. In response, the global soccer authority announced on Monday it’s ready to tackle the issue head-on.
«In the coming days, FIFA will reach out to stakeholders for their input on Article 17 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which covers contract terminations without just cause,» FIFA shared in a statement. «We aim to gather fresh ideas and chart the best course forward.»
The current regulations hold that any player breaking a contract prematurely must compensate the club, and if they move to a new team, the new club shares the burden of the payout. However, a pivotal ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Oct. 4—spurred by a case involving former France international Lassana Diarra—declared these rules unlawful. The judgment is expected to trigger significant revisions to FIFA’s transfer regulations.
«The rules in question obstruct the free movement of professional footballers who want to further their careers by joining a new club,» the CJEU stated.
FIFA has confirmed that changes are inevitable.
Lassana Diarra. GettyImages.
«FIFA is committed to refining its regulations with input from all relevant parties,» said Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA’s Chief Legal & Compliance Officer.
While Diarra’s legal team predicts a major shake-up of the transfer system, FIFA insists that only a portion of the existing regulations will be impacted.
«The international transfer system is complex and covers many aspects,» Garcia Silvero explained, noting that the ruling won’t affect key areas like registration periods, training compensations, protections for female players, or dispute resolutions that safeguard both players and clubs worldwide.
For now, the spotlight is on how FIFA will address the areas flagged by the EU, but the bigger picture of global football transfers remains intact.