Some rules by governing body FIFA on football transfers violate European Union law, the European Court of Justice has ruled.

The court ruled on the case of French player Lassana Diarra who had sought compensation from FIFA and the Belgian FA in a dispute after his contract at Russia’s Lokomotiv Moscow was terminated in 2014.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said Lok had a reason to terminate the contract as it turned down Diarra’s compensation claim for unpaid wages and ordered him to pay the Russian club compensation.

Diarra said that his attempt to find a new club was hampered because under FIFA rules a new club would be liable together with him to pay Lok Moscow. He said that also stood in the way of a possible deal with Belgian club Charleroi as he sued FIFA and the Belgian FA for loss of earnings and damages.