Historic agreement in the ‘Lassana Diarra Case’: a shake-up in the transfer market

European soccer’s key stakeholders — clubs and leagues representing employers, and FIFPRO Europe representing players — together with UEFA, have issued a joint resolution outlining the guiding principles for reforming the sport’s transfer system. The move follows a formal round of social dialogue and comes in the wake of a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice.

In October 2024, the court’s decision in the “Lass Diarra case” challenged several provisions of the existing Transfer Regulations (RETJ), requiring adjustments to bring them in line with EU law. The ruling prompted European soccer to collectively reassess how to strengthen the transfer system to ensure long-term stability, fairness, legal certainty, and a balanced regulatory environment where both clubs and players can thrive.

A framework for reform

The resolution was formally approved on November 26 at the plenary session of the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Football, held under the auspices of the European Commission in Brussels. It establishes a common framework rooted in EU law and collective governance to guide current and future reforms at the FIFA level.

According to UEFA, the agreement “focuses on finding a balance between legitimate club interests and protecting players’ individual rights and freedom of movement, upholding the role of leagues and clubs in developing and sustaining the game, the redistributive effects of the transfer system, and enhancing transfer procedures to make them simpler, more efficient and more transparent – all with a view to supporting the long-term integrity, growth and competitiveness of European football.”

UEFA also emphasized Europe’s outsized role in the global market: “Home to nearly 90 percent of global transfer market value and to the most significant flows of player movement and contract activity, Europe has a responsibility to lead – and a legitimate role in shaping rules that affect its clubs, players, competitions and the overall ecosystem.”

What comes next

Stakeholders and UEFA have agreed to continue collective talks on the transfer system in 2026, with a focus on compensation, training rewards and solidarity mechanisms, player protection, career pathways for athletes under 18, and strengthening national dispute-resolution structures.

Beyond transfers, this year’s discussions also addressed three other priority areas:

The health and safety talks zeroed in on the physical and mental demands of modern soccer — for both men and women — including workload management and ensuring adequate rest during and outside the season, as part of the international match calendar.

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