Common misconceptions

The European Court clearly ruled: footballers are workers, with the same legal rights as anyone else. Whether you earn €2,000 or €200,000 a month, you deserve lawful and fair treatment. These rules affect all players, including those in lower leagues.

Most professional footballers are not millionaires. A player in a lower league or smaller club often earns a modest income, but faces the same restrictive rules as a top player. And this case is not only about money, it’s about the right to control your own career.

In any other job, signing a contract doesn’t mean being trapped. Footballers often have no choice, since all clubs use the same restrictive terms. Signing doesn’t mean surrendering your rights.

In any normal job, you can resign with notice. Footballers can’t do that without risking massive fines and sanctions for their new club. The European Court ruled that this setup is unlawful.

Smaller clubs actually benefit. They can recruit more freely, without fear of fines or bans. Right now, larger clubs have an edge because they can afford to take legal risks.

The Court found FIFA’s rules go far beyond what’s needed for fairness or stability. There are better ways to protect the game, like seasonal transfer windows, training compensation for young players, or encouraging longer contracts, without punishing players and clubs with fines and bans.

Transfer windows will still exist. Contracts will still matter. However, greater equality in negotiations between clubs and players (and more freedom for players) will actually lead to a healthier labor market. Players will be able to join clubs where they are happy and can perform at their best. And, like in any other economic sector, the social partners (players’ unions and clubs’ unions) will be free to negotiate and conclude a “Collective Bargaining Agreement” at European level, in order to strike the right balance between their respective interests.

FIFA’s rules are reflected in national regulations that apply within countries too. Even if you’re moving from Feyenoord to PSV, you could face the same restrictions. This isn’t just a cross-border problem.