FIFA Transfer Regulations Violate EU Rights: CJEU Attorney General

The problem is the obligation of the new club, together with the player, to compensate the previous club if there is a dispute about a decline.

• Photo: Reuters

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) should consider that some of FIFA’s rules regarding the transfer of players may be against Community law, suggested this Tuesday the attorney general of the institution.

In a case, according to a press release from the CJEU, the new club, together with the player, is obliged to compensate the previous club in case of a dispute over a decline, which could , according to the Attorney General, to be opposed. to EU rules on competition and also freedom of movement of people.

FIFA regulations, according to the lawyer, limit freedom of movement, on the one hand, and affect competition between clubs, on the other, by limiting the ability of clubs to recruit players.

At the origin of the case on which the CJEU was called to rule is the challenge, by a professional player, regarding the contractual rules between clubs and football players, in a specific case of unfair termination of a contract.

The player, who left the Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow, claims that it is difficult to find a new club due to a request for compensation for his departure and requests, in turn, for the payment of wages unpaid.

The recommendation of the Attorney General is not binding on the court, but is followed most of the time.

With Lusa