A landmark ruling by the European Union’s highest court has declared that certain regulations governing player transfers in professional soccer may infringe upon EU laws related to competition and freedom of movement. This decision comes after a former international player took legal action against the sport’s governing body following a dispute with a club that dates back over a decade.
The player, who had signed a four-year contract with a Russian club in 2013, saw his deal terminated a year later due to alleged pay cuts. The club subsequently sought compensation, while the player counterclaimed for unpaid wages. An arbitration panel ultimately ruled in favor of the club, ordering the player to pay a substantial sum.
However, the player argued that the governing body’s rules unfairly restricted his ability to find new employment, as any potential new club would be held jointly responsible for paying compensation to his former employer. The EU court has sided with the player, stating that these rules “impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.”
The player also claimed that a potential deal with a Belgian club fell through due to these rules and is seeking damages and loss of earnings from the governing body and the Belgian federation. The case, which has the support of the global players’ union, has been ongoing for several years and has sparked a wider debate about the need for reform in the sport’s transfer market regulations.
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