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<\/p>\nThis follows a 2024 ruling that certain provisions of FIFA\u2019s transfer regulations resulted in a loss of earnings for players in the EU or UK.<\/p>\n
17:53, 17 Feb 2026Updated 17:53, 17 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
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League of Ireland players have been urged to join a class action(Image: INPHO\/Lorcan Doherty)<\/p>\n
The PFA Ireland is urging footballers to sign up to a class action lawsuit that could lead to a ground-breaking settlement.<\/p>\n
Justice For Players is taking the case against the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), FIFA<\/a> and several other national football associations.<\/p>\n This stems from an October 2024 Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling in a case taken by Lassana Diarra.<\/p>\n It was ruled that certain provisions of FIFA’s transfer regulations were deemed illegal.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s career.<\/p>\n In an effort to recoup that, a class action has been taken – and PFA Ireland are hoping to get as many League of Ireland<\/a> players from 2002 onwards to sign up.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully we can get as many players from 2002 on to be a part of the class action,\u201d said PFA Ireland general secretary Stephen McGuinness.<\/p>\n The total number of European football players\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Players unions from the following countries are involved so far:<\/p>\n The Netherlands (VVCS), Belgium (United Athletes), Austria (VdF), Slovenia (SPINS), Croatia (HUNS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SPFBIH), North Macedonia (SFM), Serbia (SPFN), the Czech Republic (\u010cAFH) and France (UNFP).<\/p>\n Meanwhile, current League of Ireland players are invited to a discussion about FAI Coach Development on Wednesday March 4 (1pm).<\/p>\n Players are invited to attend in-person or online, with the aim to help players better understand the coaching pathway.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n