Your career, your choice
FIFA limits your freedom. We are reclaiming your rights.
FIFA’s transfer and termination of contract rules restrict your freedom as a footballer and limit your earnings. Justice for Players is committed to fighting for your right to work for a different club at a time of your choosing and to secure the compensation owed to you for the financial losses you have suffered so far as a result of FIFA’s restrictive rules governing transfers.
Background to this legal action
Since 2001, FIFA together with national football associations such as the KNVB, have adopted and enforced transfer rules that limit your freedom as a footballer and give them too much power. This negatively impacts your bargaining power when you wish to transfer clubs or renew with your current club. In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union concluded that FIFA’s rules are unlawful. In response to this, FIFA introduced temporary new rules in January 2025, but these fall far short and do not compensate for the damage you have suffered in the past.
The time has now come to take action in order to ensure that players are afforded the same right to freedom of movement as other professionals across the EU and to limit the power of FIFA and the national football associations. Just as Jean-Marc Bosman won his 1995 case and sparked real change, the moment has come for genuine reform. The damage FIFA’s rules have caused is immense.
As seen on
Claim what is yours
Justice for Players is taking legal action against FIFA and the national football associations of the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and Denmark. Our mission is simple. To fight for the rights of former and current professional football players by ensuring that FIFA’s rules are changed so that players have the freedom to manage their careers and to secure compensation for players who earned less than they should have as a result of FIFA’s transfer rules.
FIFA’S transfer rules impact all professional footballers
Economists have estimated that professional footballers have earned on average approximately 8 percent less than they would have, had the rules not been so restrictive. This is the case for professional footballers from top players in the Premier League to contracted players in the lower divisions of countries like the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
Here you will find the answer to all your questions about the action
In the Diarra-judgement, the European Court of Justice ruled that certain FIFA rules violate European law. The Court also said that the national football associations, together with FIFA, qualify as a single “undertaking” under EU law. This means that FIFA and the national associations are seen as a group of entities that act as one economic organization because one party has decisive control. Under European law, this makes all national football associations, together with FIFA, responsible for any damage caused by the FIFA rules.
The national football associations were also involved in creating the FIFA rules that were found to be against European law. They have influence over decisions within FIFA (through the FIFA Congress and the FIFA Council). In addition, they enforce the FIFA rules. For example, national associations had to issue the International Transfer Certificate when a player wanted to transfer to a club in another country — a requirement the European court said was incompatible with EU law.
For these reasons, Justice for Players also includes the national football associations in this collective action. Justice for Players does not involve all national associations, because that is not necessary and would make the case much more expensive. Instead, it chose five associations that have a big impact on the football market and that, together with FIFA, can help make the transfer system fairer.
Deminor covers the full cost of the legal action in first instance, including all legal, expert and operational expenses of the foundation.
No, your participation is completely confidential. The information you upload will not be shared with FIFA, the national football associations, or your club. We treat your data with the utmost care and use it solely for the purpose for which you provided it. In some cases, the court may request access to this information. We will only share your information if it is strictly necessary for conducting the legal proceedings.
You can reach us at [email protected]. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
We use your personal information for the purposes of this lawsuit and for the purposes described in our privacy statement. We will never sell your data. All personal data will be deleted once the case ends. You can read our full privacy policy on the website.
Associazione Italiana Calciatori (AIC)
Italian Footballers’ Association Associazione Italiana Calciatori (AIC) announced its support for the Justice for Players class action against KNVB, FIFA and several national football associations.
Futbolistas ON
Spanish Players’Union Futbolistas ON Announces Its Support For Justice For Players, Following Support From fourteen European Players’ Unions
The Finnish Football Players’ Association (FPA)
The Finnish Football Players’ Association Announces Its Support For Justice For Players, Following Support From Thirteen European Players’ Unions.
PFA Lithuania
The Association of Professional Football Players of Lithuania (PFA Lithuania) Announces Its Support For Justice for Players, Following Support From Twelve European Players’ Unions
Spillerforeningen
Spillerforeningen (SPFO) announced today its support for the Justice for Players class action against KNVB, FIFA and several national football associations.
The Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFA Ireland) announced today its support for the Justice for Players class action against KNVB, FIFA and several national football associations.
Czech professional players’ union (ČAFH)
The Czech professional players’ union (ČAFH) announced today its support for the Justice for Players class action against KNVB, FIFA and several national football associations. Today also marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark Bosman ruling, which shone a light on the unfairness inherent in the transfer system.
Five more national football players’ unions
Five more national football players’ unions have announced their support for the Justice for Players class action lawsuit against FIFA and several national football associations. The latest endorsements come from the national professional football players’ unions of Slovenia (SPINS), Croatia (HUNS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SPFBIH), North Macedonia (SFM), and Serbia (SPFN).
Vereinigung der Fussballer
The Austrian professional players’ union “Vereinigung der Fussballer” (VdF) has announced its support for the “Justice for Players” class action lawsuit against FIFA and several national football associations.
United Athletes
The Belgian trade union for professional football players (United Athletes) has announced their support for the Justice for Players (JfP) Foundation class action lawsuit against KNVB, FIFA and several national football associations, including the Belgian football association.
Join now
Register now and reclaim your rights
FIFA’s transfer rules unlawfully restricted and still restrict your freedom to move between clubs when you wish to, and impact your bargaining power. Justice for Players is committed to ensure that footballers gain more power in relation to FIFA and the national football associations and receive fair compensation for the harm caused by these rules.
