Aug 4 : A Dutch football players’ group is preparing a “potentially billion-dollar” class action claim against FIFA and other football associations, seeking compensation over alleged loss of income due to restrictive transfer rules, it said on Monday.
The Dutch Foundation for Justice said world football governing body FIFA’s rules had affected approximately 100,000 players in European member states and the United Kingdom since 2002.
The foundation added that consultancy firm Compass Lexecon had estimated that damages could run into billions of euros, with the foundation’s board member Dolf Segaar telling Dutch news agency NOS that “it is a billion-dollar claim.”
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is among the associations to be named in the suit.
“This case is being brought in the Netherlands under the Dutch Act on the Settlement of Mass Damages in Collective Action (WAMCA), which allows this legal action to be launched by JfP on behalf of a large group of professional footballers,” it added.
FIFA and the KNVB did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
The foundation added that a preliminary analysis from global economic consulting company Compass Lexecon estimated that professional footballers collectively earned around 8 percent less over their careers than they would have due to FIFA’s regulations.
“All professional football players have lost a significant amount of earnings due to the unlawful FIFA Regulations,” foundation chair Lucia Melcherts said in a statement.
“’Justice for Players’ is bringing this claim to help achieve justice for footballers and fairness.”
The foundation added that the case was launched following a ruling on French player Lassana Diarra, who was fined 10 million euros ($11.56 million) by FIFA for leaving Lokomotiv Moscow one year into a four-year deal.
In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union said some of FIFA’s rules on player transfers went against European Union laws and free movement principles in the case linked to former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid player Diarra.
Following the ruling by the EU’s top court, FIFA in December adopted an interim framework concerning the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
The interim regulatory framework affects the calculation of compensation payable if there is a breach of contract and the burden of proof in relation to both compensation payable and an inducement to breach a contract.
Justice for Players said it will be advised by law firm Dupont-Hissel, founded by Jean-Louis Dupont.
Dupont is the same lawyer who took the landmark case of Belgian Jean-Marc Bosman, which in 1995 cleared the way for players in the European Union to move to other clubs at the end of contracts without a transfer fee being paid.
Dupont-Hissel also represented Diarra in his case against FIFA, with Dupont saying in 2024 that a judgment backing the player would be a milestone in modernizing football governance.
He added that it would allow players’ unions and club associations to regulate their employment practices.
FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations
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FIFA faces Dutch class action over player transfer regulations
- The foundation added that consultancy firm Compass Lexecon had estimated that damages could run into billions of euros
- The Dutch football players’ group is seeking compensation over alleged loss of income due to restrictive transfer rules
Police raid Argentine soccer clubs and AFA as part of investigation into alleged money laundering
- The raids were part of a judicial investigation into alleged ties to financial services company Sur Finanzas
- The official said the raided clubs included leading teams Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo, as well as Barracas Central
BUENOS AIRES: Federal police in Argentina carried out multiple raids Tuesday on the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and at least 17 soccer clubs.
The raids were part of a judicial investigation into alleged ties to financial services company Sur Finanzas, which is under investigation for alleged money laundering and tax evasion. Ordered by federal judge Luis Armella, the more than 30 raids were conducted simultaneously on first and second division clubs and the AFA headquarters in the Argentine capital.
Sur Finanzas, owned by Ariel Vallejo, sponsors AFA tournaments and several first and second division clubs.
A judicial official with access to the case told The Associated Press that police officers are searching for contracts signed by the clubs with the financial firm and other documentation stored on electronic devices. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
The official said the raided clubs included leading teams Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo, as well as Barracas Central, which were founded by Matias Tapia, a son of AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia.
The courts are investigating a complaint filed by the Customs Revenue and Control Agency (ARCA) against Sur Finanzas.
According to the complaint obtained by the AP, the alleged illicit transactions total 818 billion pesos, approximately $560 million.
Police also raided the facilities that the AFA owns in Ezeiza — about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Buenos Aires — where the national team trains.
Television channels broadcast images of police inside the offices of the sports organization’s headquarters.
Excursionistas, a club in the third division, distanced themself from Sur Finanzas.
“The club do not maintain any type of corporate, financial, or administrative relationship with the company under investigation,” stated a message signed by the board of directors and posted on social media.
