FIFA faces class action over player transfer regulations

(Makes clear in first paragraph that the action is Europe-wide)

A Dutch soccer players' group is preparing a "potentially billion-dollar" Europe-wide class action claim against FIFA and other associations, seeking compensation over alleged loss of income due to restrictive transfer rules, it said on Monday.

The Dutch Foundation for Justice said world soccer governing body FIFA's rules had affected approximately 100,000 players in European member states and the United Kingdom since 2002.

The foundation added that consultancy firm Compass Lexecon had estimated that damages could run into billions of euros, with the foundation's board member Dolf Segaar telling Dutch news agency NOS that "it is a billion-dollar claim".

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is among the associations to be named in the suit.

"This case is being brought in the Netherlands under the Dutch Act on the Settlement of Mass Damages in Collective Action (WAMCA), which allows this legal action to be launched by JfP on behalf of a large group of professional footballers," it added.

FIFA and the KNVB did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

The foundation added that a preliminary analysis from Compass Lexecon estimated that professional footballers collectively earned around 8 per cent less over their careers than they would have due to FIFA's regulations.

"All professional football players have lost a significant amount of earnings due to the unlawful FIFA Regulations," foundation chair Lucia Melcherts said in a statement. 

"'Justice for Players' is bringing this claim to help achieve justice for footballers and fairness."    

DIARRA RULING

The foundation added that the case was launched following a ruling on French player Lassana Diarra, who