Union Royale Belge des Societes de Football Association ASBL v. Jean-Marc Bosman
European Court of Justice
Case C-415/93, 1995 ECJ CELEX LEXIS 220, [1995] ECR I-4921 (1995)

- Written by Sarah Holley, JD
Facts
In 1990, Jean-Marc Bosman (plaintiff) was a professional football player in the last year of his contract with RFC Liege, a Belgian football club. Bosman wanted to transfer to USL Dunkerque, a French football club. But when Dunkerque produced what Liege viewed as insufficient funds for a transfer fee, Liege refused to release Bosman. Liege subsequently demoted Bosman to second team, which substantially decreased his playing time and salary. Bosman initiated legal action against Liege, Union Royal Belge de Societes de Football Association ASBL, and other sporting associations, arguing their transfer and nationality rules were inconsistent with Article 48 of the Treaty Establishing the European Communities (EEC Treaty). The Belgian Court of Appeals referred the question of whether Article 48 applied to Bosman’s case to the European Court of Justice.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning ()
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