FIFA will try to prove that the current transfer system is vital for smaller clubs – to prevent the Lassana Diarra ruling ripping up the footballing eco-system.
Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Diarra’s victory at the European Court of Justice had his lawyer Jean Louis Dupont declaring the only possible outcome will be the end of clubs being able to demand fees for players.
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The Lassana Diarra ruling could rip up the football transfer systemCredit: Getty
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The ruling could mean football clubs are no longer able to demand fees for their playersCredit: PA
Dupont, who was also the successful lawyer behind the Jean-Marc Bosman case that upended European football in the 1990s, argued the decision would inevitably lead to US-style collective bargaining agreements between players and clubs and “trades” – swap deals – rather than transfer fees being paid.
But while Fifa publicly insisted the defeat was a minor one relating to “only two paragraphs of two articles” of their transfer regulations, Zurich’s legal chiefs will now go all out to persuade the Euro Judges that they cannot afford to crash the system.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady warned in her exclusive Sun column of the potential for “chaos and anarchy” if the potential repercussions do lead to players walking out on their contracts for better deals elsewhere.
Fifa insiders conceded that the ruling would force a rewriting of some of the current rules regarding players who fall out with their employers.
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That would mean clubs engaging those players whose contracts were terminated would not be expected to pay any “fines” – with Diarra going to Court in 2014 after Belgian club Charleroi pulled out of a deal to sign him because they faced being hit by a demand for £8m from Lokomotiv Moscow.
World chiefs also recognise that they can longer withhold processing International Transfer Certificate requests for players who are in conflict with a former club.
But Fifa remains hopeful it can persuade the Court that its current rules are proportionate.
The five Judges on the Court confirmed the need for “stability” in the football system, backing the existing two transfer registration windows which prevent players being able to move clubs at any time.
It is likely, though, that Zurich lawyers will attempt to argue that scrapping transfer fees wholesale would be a disaster for the entire economic fabric of the game.
The business models of clubs in many European countries – especially France, Belgium, Holland, Portugal and Scandinavia – are designed to develop and sell on talent to “bigger” markets.
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If those fees can no longer be demanded, with players free to simply break their contracts and move on, those clubs would no longer be capable of remaining solvent.
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The argument will almost certainly be that allowing players to tear up their deals without any sanctions or consequences would prove a death-knell for the sport outside the biggest and wealthiest markets.
And Fifa will be backed by Europe’s most powerful clubs including the Prem Big Six.
The Diarra ruling will now be a major topic of conversation when the European Club Association, which represents more than 700 clubs across the continent, holds its General Assembly in Athens this week.
Transfer fees scrapped Q&A: How landmark ruling could mean NFL-style trades and stars suing for millions
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FORMER Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has won his landmark case at the European Court of Justice.
SunSport’s Martin Lipton explains what it was all about – and what it might mean for the future of football…
What was the case about?
Diarra argued Fifa’s transfer rules were illegal after the world body backed Lokomotiv Moscow’s claim that he had broken his contract by refusing to train with them.
Is that it?
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No. Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra but were told they would have to pay the money he was fined by Moscow, while Fifa refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate unless they coughed up.
Okay, so what does the ruling mean?
Theoretically players will have the right to break their contracts and switch clubs without a fee changing hands – just like any employee in any other industry.
Hang on – does that mean the END of transfer fees?
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Potentially, yes. Although players would have to want to move.
We would basically end up with a US-style “collective bargaining” model where players would be free to move within transfer windows without impunity.
Clubs might be able to “trade” players – swap deals – but with no extra cash changing hands.
Is everybody agreed about this?
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Absolutely not. Fifa claimed the ruling “only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles” of its transfer regulations.
Yet the Judges said the current rules were “prohibited” under EU law and “anti-competitive” as they “limit the freedom of action” of players to change employer.
In a statement, the ECA said: “The ECJ did recognise the legitimacy of rules aiming at protecting the integrity and stability of competitions and the stability of squads.
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“It also recognised rules which aim to support such legitimate objectives, including the existence of registration windows, the principle that compensation is payable by anyone who breaches an employment contract and the imposition of sporting sanctions on parties that breach those contracts.
“The football transfer system is designed to establish a balance between the rights of players to free movement and stability of contracts, together with the legitimate objectives of the integrity and stability of squads and competitions.
“Crucially, the transfer system affords medium and smaller sized clubs the means to continue to compete at high levels of football, especially those who are able to develop and train players successfully.
“The transfer system as a whole, and transfer fees and solidarity mechanism more specifically, are an efficient and effective means of wealth distribution from bigger clubs to smaller ones.”
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Inside Lassana Diarra’s legal case with Fifa
LASSANA DIARRA’S case with Fifa dates back to 2014 when he was playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder was in a dispute with Lokomotiv over wages – with the Russian side ultimately terminating his contract.
The case was referred to Fifa’s Dispute and Resolution Chamber (DRC) which ruled against Diarra, fining him £16MILLION.
During this time, Diarra received a new contract offer from Belgian side Charleroi.
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But Charleroi wanted clarification from Fifa that they would not be liable to pay any of the money owed to Lokomotiv.
Fifa could not make that guarantee and the move never happened.
As a result, Diarra brought new legal action against Fifa and the Belgian league claiming a loss of earnings.
That started the long process that has led to this week’s groundbreaking judgment.
Allowing fans to drink alcohol will be trialled at two Women’s Championship clubs this season, says Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) chief executive Nikki Doucet.
The newly launched WPLL, which governs the Women’s Super League and second-tier Championship, is discussing measures with their key stakeholders as part of a pilot that could lead to wider adoption across the women’s game.
Discussions by the WPLL are at an early stage and the trial clubs have yet to be chosen but it is part of wider measures to capitalise on the growth of the sport.
Laws have been in place since 1985 banning the drinking of alcohol in view of the pitch in men’s football, but the ban in the women’s game has, until now, been self-imposed by football’s authorities.
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Speaking at the Leaders Week London event, Doucet said: “We are going to test it in a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we will see what we will learn from that.
“I think the behaviour of our fan base is different. It is about giving our fans choices while maintaining safety and being responsible.”
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official PFL: Battle of the Giants (DAZN/ESPN+) fighter weigh-ins at the host hotel in Saudi Arabia, which kick off at 2 a.m. ET (11 a.m. PT).
Among those weighing in are former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (17-3) and reigning PFL season winner Renan Ferreira (13-3), who meet in the main event for the heavyweight superfights title. The same happens between incoming Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (27-2) and reigning PFL winner Larissa Pacheco (23-4), who fight for the women’s 145-pound superfights belt.
Plus, Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (15-0) has his title on the line in a rematch against Fabian Edwards (13-3) and former Bellator featherweight champ A.J. McKee (22-1) continues his surge at lightweight against Paul Hughes (12-1).
The full PFL: Battle of the Giants weigh-in results include:
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MAIN CARD (DAZN pay-per-view, 4 p.m. ET)
Francis Ngannou () vs. Renan Ferreira () – for heavyweight superfights title
Cris Cyborg () vs. Larissa Pacheco () – for women’s featherweight superfights title
Champ Johnny Eblen () vs. Fabian Edwards () – for Bellator middleweight title
Husein Kadimagomaev () vs. Zafar Mohsen ()
A.J. McKee () vs. Paul Hughes ()
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1:30 p.m. ET)
Marcos Breno () vs. Raufeon Stots ()
Dedrek Sanders () vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov ()
Nacho Campos () vs. Ibragim Ibragimov ()
Taha Bendaoud () vs. Tariq Ismail ()
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
A BRITISH athlete aged 57 has died after suffering a cardiac arrest while taking part in a triathlon in Spain.
Another man from Mexico also died during the Torremolinos-Andalucia Triathlon Championship Finals in the Costa del Sol.
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The British man died while abroad in Spain’s Costa del Sol (pictured)Credit: Getty
The Brit died while he was running with local media reporting his cardiac arrest.
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The Mexican man, who died during the swim, was 79, according to local media.
They died within minutes of each other, Spanish outlet Malaga Hoy reports, just after 4pm.
Emergency services were called to the scene with paramedics attempting CPR on the Brit in a bid to save his life.
The man from Mexico had suffered a heart attack only moments earlier, just a kilometre away.
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Both men were reportedly competing in the veteran category with a 750 metre stretch for swimming, 20 kilometres of cycling and five kilometres for running.
A statement from World Triathlon read: “It is with deep sadness that we inform you that two competitors (one from Mexico, one from Britain) have died at the World Triathlon Torremolinos-Andalucia AG Sprint Distance World Championships.”
The organisation said it was in contact with their loved ones to “provide all the necessary support in these difficult and sad times.”
A triathlon is an intense endurance sport involving running, swimming and cycling.
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Torremolinos hosts the World Series for triathlon competing in October each year.
Over 5,500 athletes come from more than 80 different countries to take part.
Some 20,000 people were expected to flock to the city for this year’s competition.
We’re on to Week 7, and I’ve got my eyes on a handful of games.
For those new to this space, if you are looking for a few wagers to get in on the NFL action, I have you covered. Nothing makes football better than having a few bucks on the games weekly.
Last week, we went 3-0 in this spot. Let’s keep building on that!
I think the Eagles are in a bad place right now. They were far from convincing in a win over the lowly Browns last week and now head to face the Giants, who have had trouble finding the end zone at home. Even with their wide receiver group healthy and back in the lineup, the Eagles offense sputtered last week and the Giants front should give them problems here. It doesn’t hurt the Giants should have Malik Nabers back as well.
PICK: Giants (+3.5) to lose by fewer than 3.5 points, or win outright
Let’s get one thing clear: This is not a revenge game. There is no revenge for losing two Super Bowls which you should have won. However, the Niners can do themselves a lot of good in a quest to get back to another Super Bowl this year by beating the two-time defending champs and getting above .500 this year. The Chiefs are coming off a bye, but the Niners also have a few extra days rest having won in Seattle on Thursday. That should help heal some of their injuries, while we know K.C. will be without Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice. I sense there will be a bunch of people flocking to the “Mahomes as a dog” angle here, but I think this game means a lot more to the Niners here given the Chiefs lead in the division and S.F. having given away a couple of games this year.
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PICK: 49ers (-1.5) to win by more than 1.5 points
Chris “The Bear” Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an “occasional” wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He’s a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!” Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica.
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Watch the best shots as Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch share a 96-run partnership to guide South Africa to an eight-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai.
BEN WHITE has joked he is one of the most UNPROFESSIONAL players at Arsenal – despite his incredible injury record.
Across the past four Prem seasons, the Gunners defender has missed just nine games.
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Ben White has rarely been injured since signing for ArsenalCredit: Getty
Asked how he has managed this feat, White laughed: “I really don’t know. If you were to ask anyone at the club: ‘Who is the most professional?’ it wouldn’t be me.
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“I wouldn’t go in the ice bath, I don’t stretch, none of that. I just don’t get injured.
“It is probably a factor that I’m not super quick, I am not that powerful. I can just plod along. I can play through a lot [of pain].
“If you don’t play for a week, someone is going to and do well and you might not get in the team. It’s good for everyone to be competing and raising the level.”
White is in line to return to the squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday after a rare occurrence of sitting out of Arsenal’s last two Prem outings due to a minor groin issue.
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Recovering at home, you will NOT find White watching football – a player well-known for suggesting he is not obsessed with the sport.
On that topic, White explained: “It’s not a big deal. At training and with the number of videos you have to watch every day… it’s so extreme.
“So, when I come home I just want to forget about it. There’s no football on, I don’t talk about it, mum and dad don’t speak to me about it… it’s just like it’s not my job.
“I have always been that way and want to continue that, just a normal guy. I don’t do mad things when I get home. The normal day-to-day stuff is something I like to keep to myself.
“People think that I don’t love [football], I don’t watch it, but I could still tell you most things about every winger I’m going to play against and their attributes.
Arteta is open to allowing Arsenal academy players to take part in first team training
“Playing right back, there are so many good wingers. Every game, every team, it is probably their best player. That’s why it is so difficult to play there in the Premier League.”
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