Updated: 11 Jun 2026 12:19 BST |
5 min read
FIFA is ready to initiate dramatic changes in the transfer market following the resolution of the Lassana Diarra case.
World football’s governing body will make changes that affect every transfer that is conducted across the globe, which has been described as a “total revolution” by Spanish outlet AS.
The proposed alterations, which were agreed in a Mexico City meeting prior to the 2026 World Cup, have been approved after a consultation process that included players’ union FIFPro as well as leagues and the European Club Association, and will come into effect from 1 January 2027.
What’s changing with football transfers?
- Players will receive a 5% cut of their transfer fees.
- Protection from abusive practices.
- Buyout clauses will be present in all contracts.
- Clubs can offer players aged under 18 contracts that run up to five years.
Perhaps the most significant of the proposed reforms is that players will be entitled to 5% of their transfer fee.
However, this only applies to footballers with a fixed annual salary below €150,000 and so will not include elite stars.
These players will be entitled to waive this figure but it will never be less than the greater of either the player’s fixed salary for the final year of their contract or 2.5% of the total guaranteed transfer fee.
Any disputes will be referred to a tribunal, with awards subject to an 8% interest rate.
Contracts are changing, too. While in some countries, such as Spain, it is standard practice (and indeed mandatory) to insert buyout clauses into deals, this will come into force across the world.
This is designed to provide players with greater freedom of movement.
Similarly, players will be able to cancel their contracts in extreme circumstances if clubs are found guilty of abusive practices, such as forcing players to train on their own, withholding passports or abusing registration procedures. Guilty clubs will be liable for the outstanding amount on any deal, plus an additional six months’ pay for damages.
A fourth major change is coming in the way that young players’ contracts can be made. Currently, players under the age of 18 can only sign professional contracts of up to three years, but this is set to be transformed to five years. This should provide clubs that develop young players with a greater incentive to tie them down as it is likely to increase their transfer fee, while for the academy players themselves it can offer a greater source of stability as they seek to build their careers.
Finally, there will be greater cooperation between FIFA and other stakeholder organisations over the direction of the game following the creation of the Global Social Dialogue Platform. Any alterations on issues such as the transfer market and player welfare, including health and safety standards and provisions relating to family leave, will be agreed through this mechanism by consensus.
The Lassana Diarra case explains why the transfer market is changing
FootballTransfers has previously covered Diarra’s case in depth, but here’s a recap of the situation.
While under contract with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2015, the Russian side attempted to reduce his salary. In response, Diarra refused to train.
Lokomotiv then sued him. FIFA regulations put Diarra in breach of contract and instructed him to pay back half his €20 million transfer fee to the club.
Arguing that he had nothing to do with the fee agreed between Lokomotiv and Anzhi for his transfer, Diarra was also prevented from receiving an international transfer certificate, effectively denying him the opportunity to work.
Belgian side Charleroi wanted to sign him but were unable to complete the deal, fearful that they would be liable for Diarra’s outstanding transfer fee owed to Lokomotiv.
He ultimately went on to play for Marseille, Al-Jazira and PSG, but lost a large portion of his career due to the incident.
FIFA announced on 8 June that the issue had been settled without payment.
“Following the global agreement they have reached, Mr. Lassana Diarra and FIFA have settled all legal proceedings between them,” FIFA said in a statement.
“FIFA has not made any admission of liability nor payment by way of compensation.”
ESPN reports that it remains unclear if this settlement impacts the lawsuit Diarra’s lawyers had pursued against FIFA following a previous ruling by the EU’s top court in 2024.
This case has been the catalyst for this dramatic change in transfer policy, which will touch every professional footballer in the world.
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