Football transfers could be set for major change that will see some players under contract able to move for FREE

FIFA has launched its battle to ensure the transfer system remains – by asking the rest of football how the rulebook needs to be reworked.

But world chiefs have conceded that clubs may NOT be able to ask for a fee for every player who wants to leave them.

Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra’s victory over the world body at the European Court of Justice saw a major threat to the current system.

Diarra’s lawyer, Jean-Louis Dupont declared the only possible outcome will be the end of clubs being able to demand fees for players.

The ECJ ruled that current regulations, which mean clubs can sue players for breaking contracts and prevent them being able to move to a rival in another country, “impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club”.

It added: “Those rules impose considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them which, taken together, are such as to impede international transfers of those players.”

Dupont, who was also the successful lawyer behind the Jean-Marc Bosman case that upended European football in the 1990s, argued the decision would inevitably lead to US-style collective bargaining agreements between players and clubs and “trades” – swap deals – rather than transfer fees being paid.

FIFA had initially reacted to the verdict by insisting that only a minor tweak of “two paragraphs of two articles” of the regulations needed to be amended.

But now Zurich legal bosses have announced Fifa will “open a global dialogue on the transfer system, involving key stakeholders” to redraft the rules.

Fifa legal boss Emilio Garcia Silvero insisted that the ruling “confirms the sanctity of contracts”.

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However, asked if the ECJ decision does “mean the end of transfers or transfer fees” his reply hinted at a recognition that some players will be able to move for nothing.

Silvero said: “The Diarra decision does not question that employment contracts between players and clubs must be respected. 

“Consequently, if players wish to be released from a contract, there will be financial consequences. 

“If a club wishes to engage a player under a valid contract, this will often still mean that the transfer fee needs to be paid.”

Using the word “often” rather than “always” was a significant change of position.

Last week’s general assembly of the powerful European Club Association was dominated by behind the scenes discussions of the potentially “terrible” impact of the ruling, with serious fears the business models of clubs in “selling” countries like Portugal, France, Holland, Belgium and in Scandinavia could be destroyed.

One prominent figure suggested every case where a player walks out of a current deal might see clubs having to sue for compensation in their local courts, creating a “law of the jungle” situation.

Silvero confirmed that clubs, leagues and player unions will now be asked to comment on new proposals.

He said: “The Diarra decision confirms it remains Fifa’s responsibility to establish, protect and enforce a robust regulatory system for international football, in particular to safeguard the regulations and integrity of a sports competition. 

“This includes rules related to the composition of teams, such as transfers, registration periods, contractual stability and many other important topics. 

“Fifa will now initiate a global dialogue with key stakeholders. 

“Together with them, Fifa will determine what conclusions must be drawn from the Diarra decision, and which changes are most appropriate and suitable.”