Manchester United’s summer has revolved around a clear theme – the importance to sell players, as much as it is to bring in new players.
With a bloated wage bill and an ageing squad, United’s inability to shift unwanted players has begun to slow down other areas of their transfer business.
Even with new arrivals such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, the Red Devils remain burdened by contracts they’re struggling to offload.
But that dynamic could be set to change – not just for United, but for clubs across Europe – thanks to a landmark legal case that is now underway.
As per Martyn Ziegler’s report for The Times, a group called Justice For Players has launched a class action lawsuit targeting FIFA and several European football associations.
Including those in France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Their goal?
To challenge the legality of FIFA’s transfer rules, which currently prevent players from terminating their contracts without facing enormous financial penalties.
The case follows a ruling last October by the Court of Justice of the EU, which sided with former midfielder Lassana Diarra after he was ordered to pay €10m for leaving Lokomotiv Moscow.
Ziegler’s report states the court deemed FIFA’s rules incompatible with EU laws on freedom of movement, sparking immediate legal scrutiny.
Justice For Players, advised by Bosman lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, argues that players should enjoy the same employment freedoms as any other worker.
Their consultancy firm believes damages could stretch into billions of euros, while FIFA have yet to respond publicly.
Franco Baldini, a former England assistant manager, said the legal action could “help change the existing system” and make football “more inclusive and sustainable.”
If successful, this case could revolutionise how clubs like United approach contracts and transfers – and shift the power dynamic towards players for good.
