BRUSSELS (AP) - FIFA will start negotiations with the sport’s stakeholders on the transfer system after the European Union ruled that some of its aspects were unlawful, the soccer governing body said on Monday.
“In the coming days, FIFA will formally invite stakeholders to comment on and propose ideas in relation to article 17 of the RSTP (“Consequences of terminating a contract without just cause”) with a view to consolidating the proposals and identifying the best way forward,” FIFA said in a statement.
FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) say a player who terminates a contract before its term “without just cause” is liable to pay compensation to the club, and where the player joins a new club they will be jointly liable for payment of compensation.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), ruling on a high-profile case linked to former France player Lassana Diarra, stated on Oct 4 these dispositions were unlawful, and the judgment is expected to prompt FIFA to revamp its transfer regulations.
“The rules in question are such as to impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club,” the Luxembourg-based CJEU said.