Football: Diarra case, FIFA suspends disciplinary measures

(ANSA) – ROME, NOV 26 – After the sentence issued in the Diarra case, FIFA has decided to suspend all disciplinary proceedings which concern, among others, cases of international transfers of footballers on the basis of article 17 of the regulation. The Court of Justice of the European Union was called to decide on the dispute initiated by the former French footballer: in 2014 the player, after the reduction of his salary, wanted to terminate the contract with Lokomotiv Moscow, but the Russian club obtained be paid compensation of 10.5 million and so Charleroi, the club involved, backed out of the negotiation so as not to pay that amount. Diarra turned to the Belgian courts and they decided to consult the EU Court which, with a historic ruling, last October ruled in favor of the Transalpine player, establishing that the rules on transfers “risk hindering the free movement of footballers who would like to go in a new club in another EU state” and, therefore, some FIFA rules regarding the matter are contrary to Union law.

“In light of the ruling issued by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in case C650/22 concerning the “Diarra” issue – writes the president of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio – as well as the global consultation, currently underway , initiated by FIFA regarding possible changes to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), the following disciplinary measures must be temporarily suspended with immediate effect” and lists the disciplinary measures concerning players and clubs for article 17 and coaches for article 6. (ANSA).