This follows a 2024 ruling that certain provisions of FIFA’s transfer regulations resulted in a loss of earnings for players in the EU or UK.
17:53, 17 Feb 2026Updated 17:53, 17 Feb 2026
League of Ireland players have been urged to join a class action(Image: INPHO/Lorcan Doherty)
The PFA Ireland is urging footballers to sign up to a class action lawsuit that could lead to a ground-breaking settlement.
Justice For Players is taking the case against the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), FIFA and several other national football associations.
This stems from an October 2024 Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling in a case taken by Lassana Diarra.
It was ruled that certain provisions of FIFA’s transfer regulations were deemed illegal.
The CJEU specifically ruled that all players who played in the EU or the UK between 2002 and now, regardless of their nationality, suffered harm as a result of these restrictive rules.
And according to a study by the economic consultancy firm Compass Lexecon, FIFA’s transfer rules, which have been in place since 2002, have resulted in a loss of earnings of approximately 8 percent of all salaries received during a player’s career.
In an effort to recoup that, a class action has been taken – and PFA Ireland are hoping to get as many League of Ireland players from 2002 onwards to sign up.
To do so will cost a player nothing, while if the action is successful, players that do join as part of the class action will receive compensation.
“Hopefully we can get as many players from 2002 on to be a part of the class action,” said PFA Ireland general secretary Stephen McGuinness.
The total number of European football players’ unions backing the Justice for Players class action has reached eleven – and this week the German union contacted PFA Ireland to express their interest in joining.
Players unions from the following countries are involved so far:
The Netherlands (VVCS), Belgium (United Athletes), Austria (VdF), Slovenia (SPINS), Croatia (HUNS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SPFBIH), North Macedonia (SFM), Serbia (SPFN), the Czech Republic (ČAFH) and France (UNFP).
Meanwhile, current League of Ireland players are invited to a discussion about FAI Coach Development on Wednesday March 4 (1pm).
Players are invited to attend in-person or online, with the aim to help players better understand the coaching pathway.
It will also give players a chance to tell the FAI about the challenges they face in pursuing coaching qualifications while they are still playing. Players can register for the discussion here.