Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star could change transfers forever as players given green light to terminate contracts

Rules that dictate transfers have been deemed illegal by the European Union's top court - which could change football forever.

It comes as the European Court of Justice found in favour of former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra in his long-running legal dispute with Lokomotiv Moscow on Friday.

2 Lassana Diarra spent two years at Chelsea before moving to Arsenal Credit: AFP

Diarra’s legal team called into question some of FIFA’s rules following the termination of his contract with the Russian club in 2014.

They argued that the rules restricted his freedom of movement and broke competition law. Diarra and his team subsequently sued FIFA for damages.

The court claimed that by Diarra not receiving an international transfer certificate (ITC) ahead of a switch to Belgian club Charleroi in 2015, FIFA 'impeded the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club'.

It was also stated that such rules can impede the 'relatively short' careers of football players.

The landmark ruling could have huge reverberations for the future of football.

The court states that players should have more power and be allowed to work at clubs of their choosing without restrictive rules imposed by world football’s governing body, like any average person switching jobs.

Theoretically, this could give footballers a green light to terminate contracts and move clubs without the need for any compensation to be paid.

This could be music to the ears of players and agents who would have far more leverage when negotiating deals during the transfer windows. It could even mark the end of transfer fees as we know it.

Players' union FIFPRO described the announcement as ‘a major ruling’ which ‘will change the landscape of football’.

Diarra’s legal team welcomed the judgement, calling it a total victory whilst recommending other players in a similar position to take steps by seeking compensation.

2 FIFA say they are satisfied that the legalities of the transfer system have been reconfirmed Credit: Getty

However, FIFA do not expect any dramatic changes to the way transfer operate.

Responding to the ruling, a FIFA spokesperson said: "FIFA is satisfied that the legality of key principles of the transfer system have been reconfirmed in today's ruling.

"The ruling only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, which the national court is now invited to consider."

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The case involving the ex-France international came about following a falling out with former Lokomotiv boss Leonid Kuchuk.

The club alleged that Diarra refused to train or accept a lower salary and therefore took matters into their own hands by releasing him with three years still to run on his deal.

Initially, FIFA ruled that Diarra was in breach of contract and ordered to pay Lokomotiv £8.4m while also serving a suspension from all football for 15 months. The ruling was supported by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2016.

Prospective club Charleroi asked for assurances that they would not be permitted to pay compensation to Lokomotiv.

Charleroi were refused an ITC which is a requirement for clubs when registering new players and Diarra’s move to Belgium fell through.

The rule which sees club’s hoping to sign a player being made responsible for compensation to a player’s former club was challenged by Diarra.

The court also states that FIFA should not be able to use the ITC system to stop players who have breached a contract from working in other countries.

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