Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Bosman
Case C-415/93 [1995] ECR I-4921
Ratio Decidendi
Rules requiring transfer fees for out-of-contract players, and rules limiting the number of EU nationals a club may field, constitute restrictions on the free movement of workers contrary to what is now Article 45 TFEU.
Facts
Jean-Marc Bosman, a Belgian footballer, was prevented from moving to a French club when his contract expired because his club demanded a transfer fee the French club would not pay. Bosman challenged the transfer system and nationality quotas under EU law.
Judgment Summary
The CJEU held that requiring transfer fees for out-of-contract players was a restriction on free movement of workers that could not be justified. Nationality quotas limiting the number of EU players a club could field were also unlawful.
Key Quotes
"Article 48 of the Treaty precludes the application of rules which require transfer fees to be paid where a player whose contract has expired moves to a club in another Member State."
— Court of Justice
Subsequent Treatment
Transformed European football by ending the transfer fee system for out-of-contract players.
Applied to other sports in subsequent cases (e.g., Lehtonen on basketball).