The Dutch professional footballers association VVCS is backing a mass compensation claim against the Dutch football association KNVB, Fifa and several national football associations, following the decision by French union UNFP to support the case last month.

Dutch foundation Justice for Players is preparing a claim against Fifa and five national football associations asking for compensation for an estimated 100,000 professional footballers who allegedly lost income due to transfer regulations.

The players, both male and female, were active from 2002 onwards and span all levels of professional football.

Economists advising the group estimate players earned around 8% less over the course of their careers because Fifa rules limited their ability to end contracts or negotiate freely with other clubs.

“The VVCS aims to stand up for the rights of professional footballers,” VVCS chairman Evgeniy Levchenko told broadcaster NOS.

“The current transfer system was and still is unfair. For example, there are footballers who train for months without any prospect of matches, or who give up their right to transfer to another club out of fear of sanctions from Fifa.”

The claim is partly based on the October 2024 ruling in favour of French player Lassana Diarra, who was fined €10.5 million and barred from joining a new club after walking away from Lokomotiv Moscow because of a conflict.

The European Court found that Fifa’s rules unlawfully restricted the free movement of workers within Europe.

Fifa made minor changes after the ruling but did not, according to the players’ union FIFPro, go far enough.