FIFA DRC, 10 April 2015, FC Lokomotiv Moscow v. Lassana Diarra
In a decision dated 10 April 2015, the Dispute Resolution Chamber of FIFA (DRC) condemned the French player, Lassana Diarra, to the payment of compensation for breach of contract in the amount of EUR 10,500,000, plus interest at the rate of 5% per annum if the amount is not paid within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision, to the Russian football club, Lokomotiv Moscow. The DRC refrained from imposing sporting sanctions on the player, although the breach of contract occurred during the “protected period”. The case is currently pending before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and is due to be heard on 19 and 20 January 2016.
On 24 July 2015, Lassana Diarra signed for French Ligue 1 side, Olympique de Marseille, after being out of football since leaving Lokomotiv Moscow in August 2014 and being unable to join another team because of the contract dispute with the Russian club.[1]
Brief facts
Lassana Diarra and Lokomotiv Moscow had an employment contract, valid from 21 August 2013 until 30 June 2017.
The parties stipulated in their contract a liquidated damages clause in favor of the club for EUR 20m and one in favor of the player for “3 average monthly income of the Football player.”
The contract contained various provisions, inter alia, stipulating that the player shall participate in the club's activities, shall remain available to enable the club to contact him and that in...
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