Former player takes legal action against governing body
Diarra laments ‘culture of contempt for the rule of law’
Lassana Diarra is to directly pursue Fifa for €65m (£56m) in compensation after the European Court’s verdict on its transfer rules, with the former France midfielder describing a failure by the governing body to reach a settlement as indicative of a “culture of contempt”.
Diarra provoked significant change in the game last year when he won a case at the European Court (CJEU) claiming his freedom of movement had been restricted by Fifa rules.
The organisation subsequently amended its rulebook but the one-time Chelsea player says they have failed to make personal amends and, as a result, he is starting legal proceedings against them, as well as the Belgian Football Association.
