A new class action has been launched in the Netherlands against FIFA and several national football associations, potentially opening the door to compensation for up to 100,000 current and former professional players across Europe and the UK.
The case, brought by the Justice for Players Foundation (JfP), centres on FIFA’s long-standing rules on contract termination and player transfers – rules that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in October 2024 to be unlawful.
Why this matters for players
For over 20 years, FIFA’s regulations have tightly controlled how and when players can leave a club. This has included:
- Forcing players to pay hefty “compensation” fees to former clubs
- Allowing national associations to block transfers by withholding International Transfer Certificates
- Making new clubs liable for old debts
- Threatening sanctions for both players and clubs
The CJEU found these measures broke EU competition law and restricted the free movement of workers – fundamental rights that apply to footballers just as they do to any other profession.
According to economists, these rules meant players earned around 8% less over their careers than they otherwise would have. For many, with a professional career lasting just eight years on average, that’s a huge financial hit.
Who can join the claim?
The JfP is representing professional footballers – men and women – who have played for clubs in the EU or UK since 2002 and have been affected by these rules. The claim is fully funded by a legal finance provider, meaning players won’t have to pay to join.
If successful, the action could result in significant compensation for affected players, alongside changes to FIFA’s rules that give players more control over their careers. As JfP’s chair, Lucia Melcherts, puts it:
“In any other profession, people can change jobs freely. The same should be true in football.”
Think you might be eligible?
You can find out more about this claim at justiceforplayers.com
