Top EU court finds against FIFA in key transfer market ruling

The EU’s top court said on Friday some international soccer rules regulating player transfers are contrary to the bloc’s laws, in a landmark decision that could shake up the system.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) was called on to decide a long-running dispute between former French soccer player Lassana Diarra and FIFA over what happens when players unilaterally terminate their contract.

In a highly anticipated verdict, judges found that, by restricting a players’ ability to seek further employment, current FIFA rules hinder the EU’s free movement law and competition between clubs.