RismadarVoice Reporters
June 8, 2026
Former France international, Lassana Diarra has reached a settlement with FIFA and the Belgian Football Association in his long-running €65 million legal dispute over football transfer regulations.
The case stemmed from Diarra’s 2014 departure from Lokomotiv Moscow after a salary dispute. The club claimed he terminated his contract unfairly and initially sought €20 million in compensation, later reduced to €10.5 million. Concerns over potential sanctions reportedly discouraged Royal Charleroi Sporting Club from signing him.
In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that certain FIFA transfer rules restricted players’ freedom of movement and exposed players and clubs to excessive legal and financial risks. The ruling prompted FIFA to revise its transfer regulations.
Following negotiations, Diarra, FIFA and the Belgian FA have now resolved all legal proceedings.
FIFA stated that the settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing and that no compensation was paid.
